Learning basic home maintenance and DIY plumbing repairs is vital for a new homeowner. If ignored, issues like clogged toilets or leaky pipes can become costly and time-consuming problems.
To avoid these issues, always keep a plunger on hand to unclog toilets and drains, avoid pouring grease down drains, check for drips under sinks or behind toilets, and monitor your water meter regularly.
DIY home maintenance can save you a ton of hassle, but you need to call the professionals for larger, more complex projects. For expert guidance, consider reaching out to a team of professional plumbers like Full Speed Plumbing.
Clogged toilets
Clogged toilets are an unfortunate plumbing truth that can quickly spiral out of control if left untreated. Clogs usually result from non-dissolvable waste being flushed into toilets or hair or food scraps entering shower/sink drains; thankfully, numerous DIY solutions are available to get these back running smoothly again.
To keep your toilets functioning efficiently, only flush flushable waste products such as human waste, toilet paper, and tissues down the toilet. Monitor children so they do not flush toys or other large objects down the toilet.
If water backs up when emptying a sink or taking a shower, chances are it has backed up into your toilet. Your best first option should be using a plunger with physical suction to dislodge blockages in toilets; otherwise, consider purchasing a chemical drain cleaner from a hardware store; should clogs persist, consider calling in professional help.
Clogged drains
Clogged drains are one of the most frustrating plumbing issues homeowners can encounter, from hair and food particles to soap scum and makeup that end up down the drain, creating blockages if not regularly cleared out. Luckily, you can utilize a few easy tricks to unclog most drains without needing chemical-based products to unclog them all.
Using boiled water is among the most effective methods for unclogging drains. Running a pot of hot water down the drain can help break up grease or soap scum that has built up, freeing the pipe.
A homemade solution using baking soda and white distilled vinegar also works effectively: pour one cup of baking soda accompanied by one cup of white distilled vinegar into your drain to create a fizzing action that loosens and breaks up any blockages.
If homemade solutions don’t do the trick, consider investing in a handheld cable drain snake tool to solve your drain-clogging issues. It’s easy to use, making it an ideal choice for most drains, including garbage disposals. Additionally, if a build-up of hair causes your clog, then consider investing in a hair catcher to prevent future issues.
If traditional home remedies fail, professional plumbers offer drain and sewer cleaning services to provide lasting relief from stubborn drain or sewer clogs. Snaking and hydro jetting techniques can be employed by these experts in clearing out even the toughest obstructions from drains or sewers.
Leaky faucets & pipes
As your home ages, plumbing issues will inevitably arise. Some issues require professional assistance, from leaky faucets to blocked toilet drains, while others can easily be solved using basic tools and knowledge.
Leaks in pipes can cost you and your property money and cause extensive damage. Even small leaks can accumulate significant water bills over time, and they must be repaired as soon as possible to ensure health concerns such as mold or bacteria.
For best results when fixing a leaky faucet, start by turning off both your main stopcock and any cold water tank stopcock. Before beginning work on any area where water may run, cover or clean them thoroughly first. You can find kits at most home development stores containing all the parts and clear instructions to fix your faucet quickly.
Leaky pipes can be more challenging to fix and will likely need the services of a plumber; however, you can minimize their effect by turning off the water at the main stopcock and spraying exposed pipework with release oil to stop any seizing up or freezing up of exposed joints.
Insulation may also provide protection from extreme winter temperatures and keep pipes warm enough.
Low water pressure
If you notice low water pressure at any of your home outlets, running the hot and cold water may help determine whether it’s just one outlet causing difficulty or more widespread issues. You can then determine the precise location of the problem.
Build-up can often lead to decreased water flow, and one quick solution is cleaning your shower head or aerator. With some models, this may involve simply unscrewing them and wiping away hard water deposits or other debris; with others, it may require disassembling them completely and immersing them overnight in vinegar or another solution.
Over time, your pipes, crucial to the plumbing system, might face corrosion or other problems that reduce their ability to deliver water efficiently. Galvanized steel pipes often suffer from this issue as their coating erodes, exposing the steel beneath and reducing pressure – an issue particularly prevalent among older homes.
Symptoms of low water pressure could range from throughout your house or specific outlets to isolated cases; in such instances, it’s wise to call professional services for assistance. A full pipe replacement may be necessary to restore normal flow and pressure levels.
Alternatively, if isolated to one outlet, it may be possible to make repairs by replacing only damaged components.