Common Plumbing Problems Which You Can Fix By Yourself

Plumbing problems can be frustrating, and they usually occur suddenly, which disrupts your everyday routine and comfort. While it’s always advisable to hire a professional to do the job, there are common plumbing problems that you can fix immediately. Having a basic knowledge of simple plumbing troubleshooting will help a lot, most especially if you’re rushing to go to work or your budget is not ready to spend on professional repairs. In this post, you’ll learn the most common plumbing problems and the simple solutions that you can do to resolve them. Let’s get started!

Running Toilet

It happens when the water continuously flows into the toilet bowl after you’ve flushed it,  which leads to the emptying of the tank behind the toilet. Eventually, it causes the inability to flush.

Here are some tips when dealing with a running toilet:

• Suspect a running toilet when you hear a sound of running water after you flush the toilet, or you get a water bill that’s much higher than usual.
• A simple test to determine this is by adding a few drops of food coloring to the toilet tank (when the water in the toilet bowl becomes colored without flushing, it is a positive indicator of a running toilet).
• A quick fix is checking the flapper (a rubber piece that moves up and down so water can run from the tank to the toilet bowl). It should lie flat against the tank’s bottom. Check if the flapper or chain is stuck on something.
• Call a professional if all your efforts don’t work because fixing your toilet should be prioritized to avoid spiking water bill.

You can fix this problem by:

• Removing the lid or cover of the toilet tank.
• Reattaching the chain found in the bottom of the toilet tank to the lever that is attached to the toilet handle. You’ll see the lever moving up and down when you push the toilet handle, like what it does when flushing.

Leaky Faucet

One of the most common plumbing problems that homeowners have experienced is a leaky tap. Fixing it is easier than you think. Save water and avoid paying a higher bill than usual by not allowing endless drips of water.

Here are some troubleshooting tips for a leaky faucet:

• Investigate the source of the leak.
• Shut off the water supply and disassemble the faucet.
• Clean the mineral deposits on the interior using vinegar.
• Replace any worn or damaged parts.

A leaky faucet is also caused by malfunctioning washers that dry out over time or become damaged, causing the water to leak through. If you don’t have the correct tools and washers, a professional can get the problem fixed quickly and provide your faucet the watertight seal.

Clogged Drain

Hair and soap scum usually clog shower drains. While you can use drainage chemicals, solution is only temporary. In five minutes, you can unclog your drains without using chemicals.

Here’s how:

• Prepare a coat hanger and a screwdriver.
• Remove the stopper and shut it off.
• Unscrew the top and remove the stopper.
• Bend the coat hanger and pull out any obstruction.
• Run the water. Make sure that the obstruction is completely clear.
• Replace the stopper as needed.

Clogged Toilet

A clogged toilet is a real household disaster. Luckily, you can solve it in a few minutes. Use a plunger on your first attempt. If it doesn’t work, you can use a toilet snake for fixing a more severe clog. What is a toilet snake? It’s a long coil that has a corkscrew at the end for cutting through debris and pulling out foreign objects causing the blockage. Call a plumbing professional if using a toilet snake still doesn’t work.

Leaking Water Heater

Low pressure in your shower is a result of leaking water heater. The water heater valve is either defective (needs replacement), or the temperature is too high. Just set the heat to the medium setting or 128 degrees. Replace the water heater valve if it still doesn’t work.

Weak Flush

A weak flush is caused by the disruption or removal of the fill tube (a small flexible tube that runs from the fill valve going to the overflow tube) due to constant flushing.

Here’s how you can quickly fix a weak flush:

• Remove the toilet cover or lid.
• Locate the fill tube and reattach it. Make sure that the fill tube sits at least 1-inch above the rim of the overflow tube.
• Test it by flushing the toilet. Make sure that the water goes down.

Conclusion

You probably realized that there are plumbing issues you that can fix on your own. It saves you a lot of money from costly repairs. But of course, don’t stretch yourself too far. If you’re uncertain of what to do or the problem persists, better contact a professional plumbing service. If you don’t have the skills and experience, fixing a minor plumbing issue on your own might result in a major problem.