Common Household Plumbing Issues and How to Solve Them
The plumbing within your home is one of the main vessels to your home. It helps bring water to your household and carry old water away from it. Because there are so many pipes running throughout your home and the ground beneath your home, there is a high chance that you will experience some type of plumbing problem once or even twice in your lifetime.
There are many different types of plumbing issues that can arise in your home, from large to small and everything in between. Fortunately, not all plumbing issues require a plumber to come out to your home and some can be corrected with DIY methods. Doing the repairs yourself can save you quite a bit of money.
Below, we will go over some of the most common household plumbing issues and how you can solve them quickly and easily.
Fixture That Is Slow to Drain
One of the most common issues that you will face with your plumbing is a sink that is slow to drain. You may find that it occurs in your kitchen sink, bathtub or shower drain, or even your bathroom sink. Often times, the cause of this is due to debris and hair that collect and become stuck on the pop up tabs that help to seal off and open the drain itself.
The first thing you can do to improve the draining is to remove the debris and hair from around the pop up. This should solve the problem and can be done quite quickly and easily. You can use your fingers, if you are brave enough, or you can use any type of small tool that will allow you to grasp the debris and pull it out.
You can also remove the pop-up itself and then clean it before replacing it. This is often easier if you do not have something to assist you in removing the hair and debris. Most pop-ups are held in place with a nut that is attached underneath the sink.
If you find that your tub is draining slowly, you will notice that there is no pop-up for this drain, so what is causing the problem? Often times, the drain itself becomes clogged with hair or the drain may be clogged with items that have fallen into the drain. You can use needle nose pliers to fish out whatever is inside and this should eliminate the problem for you.
Remember to remove al the debris from the drain for the best results. If you do not have a drain plug, it would be a good investment for you. These plugs are inexpensive and can prevent issues such as the one you may be facing right now.
Cleaning out your drains should be done regularly to avoid issues such as slow draining. Failing to clean them out often can lead to the pipes becoming completely clogged and backed up.
Poor Water Pressure
Nothing is more frustrating than turning on your faucet or shower only to find that you have very low water pressure. Often, this occurs in the sink, but can also occur in the shower as well. One of the first things you will need to do is find out if the low pressure is associated with hot water, cold water, or both. If both hot and cold water have low pressure, then it is likely that the aerator is having an issue. Calcium deposits form over time and can buildup in the faucet and lead to low water pressure.
If you have a blocked aerator, simple remove it from your sink faucet and then clean it out. The same would go for your shower head as well. Simply remove it and clean out the build up of calcium that appears. Once you have done so, replace the aerator and test the pressure again.
Running Toilet
Everyone has run into a running toilet at some point whether it be in your own home, someone else’s home, or even a store. They can be quite annoying to listen to and they can raise your water bill at the same time.
There are several reasons why your toilet may be running, but they are also quite easy to fix as well. First, you will want to determine the cause of the running toilet. You may need to do some investigation to figure this out.
Once you know what the problem is, replace or repair the part and this should stop the water from running. In many cases, the problem is usually due to a faulty flapper or a chain that has broken away from the handle – both of which are easy and simple to replace.
Stuck Garbage Disposal
A garbage disposal that is jammed is one that will not serve its purpose for you. Did you know that your garbage disposal comes with a key that will help you unjam it? Most people do not know this and if you have lost this little key, you are not alone.
Fortunately, you can use an Allen wrench to fix the problem. Simply insert the Allen wrench into the key opening on the bottom of the disposal. Turn the wrench in both directions to free up the motor.
Clogged Toilet
We have all experienced a clogged toilet whether it was our fault it was clogged or someone else’s fault. Unclogging your toilet can help spare you a huge mess and flooding in your bathroom. Should the clog be something as simple as toilet paper stuck in the pipe leading out, simply plunge the toilet until it breaks free and the water drains.
Sometimes, toilet clogs are a bit more complex and may occur in the sewer drain or line itself. This can be much more complicated and lead to issues for you. In some of these cases, a plumber will need to be called. You can try to snake the line yourself with a snake tool. The snake tool will often help free up any clogs.
Leaking Fixtures
If you find that your fixtures are leaking, you may only have a loose component on your hands. For example, if your faucet is leaking, you may only need to tighten the nuts and bolts that are holding it in place. If you find any leaking coming from a pipe, try to tighten it first and see if that works. If it does not, you may have an outdated fixture that needs to be replaced.
DIY Plumbing Can Help You Save Money
All of the above issues are quite common and will likely occur at some point in time as you own your home. They strike most homeowners and being prepared to handle them can help save you quite the money. Hiring a plumber is not always needed, but if you find that the problem is too complex or you do not know how to deal with it, it is best to turn to an experienced plumber.
Remember, plumbing problems are not the end of the world, so when you find yourself facing one, take a deep breath and rely on your skills and knowledge to solve them. When in doubt, call someone to help you out!