Plumbing problems are common to all homes and businesses. The obvious thing that most people do is calling their plumber to fix the problem. While some of the plumbing problems such as leaking slab require a professional plumber, there are other plumbing issues that are pretty easy, and you can fix them yourself.
If you are in North Brisbane and would like to fix minor plumbing issues in your home, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we are providing you with the best DIY plumbing tips and hacks. These are tips and hacks that will not only help you fix minor plumbing issues but also save you money.
Here are 10 best DIY plumbing tips and hacks:
1. Fixing A Running Toilet
Running toilets are some of the most common plumbing problems. If your toilet is running, there is no need to call a plumber. You can stop water from flowing by fixing the floater. What you need is just to jiggle the handle so that you can control the level of water. But this is just a temporary solution. For a permanent solution, you might need to replace the entire assembly. If the floater is not the problem, check the condition of the stop valve. These are the two main causes of a running toilet.
2. Fixing Garbage Disposals
Garbage disposals usually get jammed or clogging because of large food particles that accumulate with time. One main advantage of garbage disposals is that they come with manuals with instructions on proper handling. Before calling a plumber, read these instructions, and you might find that it is a problem that you can fix on your own. Besides, the garbage disposals come with a hex wrench for unclogging purposes. You should always be cautious by turning off and unplug the unit from the power source before doing any repair.
3. Removing Clogs From Sink Drain
After cleaning utensils and foodstuffs for a long time in a sink, food particles may block the sink drain. If your sink is clogged, you may not need a plumber. You can easily remove the clogs from the sink drain by pouring baking soda down the drain, then add vinegar to react with baking soda. The combination will break down the clog in the sink drain. Once the chemical reacting is over, you can pour hot in the pipe to wash away the loose particles.
4. Repairing Low Water Pressure Shower
Showers typically show signs of clogging whenever the water pressure reduces abnormally. The good thing is that fixing low water pressure is pretty easy, and you do not have to look for a plumber. Start by closing the tap. Then carefully remove the showerhead to identify the spray plate and immerse them in a vinegar solution for a few hours to remove stains and clogs. Lastly, reassemble back the parts of the shower and test if the water pressure has been restored.
5. Flushing Water Heater
After using your water heater for a while, the deposits will have accumulated, making the unit ineffective. That’s when you might start experiencing rumbling noises from the tank. You can quickly solve such a problem on your own without the need of a plumber. what you need to do is switching off water heater from the power source. Scrap off the mineral deposits and drain the coloured solution using a pipe that you can attach to the base of the heater. That’s how easy it is to flush you’re a water heater.
6. Applying Caulks To Fix Bathtubs And Showers
Caulking is essential for bathtubs and showers since they prevent leaks. If you notice that your bathtub or shower is leaking, you don’t need to call a professional plumber to coke them. What you need is just the right caulk, and you are good to go. However, you also need to buy a quality caulking gun for quality work. Then, go ahead and fill the cracks.
7. Replacing Old Shower Heads With New Ones
For the maximum efficiency of showerheads in your house or business, there is a need to replace old shower heads with new ones regularly. When you use the showerhead for an extended period, it experiences clogging because of sedimentation. Rust could also make the shower ineffective. You don’t need a plumber to replace your old shower with a new one. That’s a simple plumbing problem that you can fix even with tools.
8. Repairing Sump Pumps
Sump pumps are very crucial for homes that experience flooding basement or crawlspaces. They help to pump away sewerage to the main sewer line to avoid flooding. A constant running sump pump is one of the problems that you can fix. The problem is usually caused by dirt or debris lodging under the float switch. Unplug the pump from the power and clear debris and dirt for the float switch to work properly.
9. Repairing Leaking Pipes Under The Sink
You can repair leaking pipes under the sink in several ways. However, you will need some simple tools such as a monkey wrench, a bucket, and a plumber’s tape. You detach the pipes by using a monkey wrench after closing the valve distributing the water. Then, run the tape around the pipes to seal the broken parts. Reconnect the pipes and run water to test whether they are functioning normally. They should be working fine.
10. Fixing a Leaking Faucet
Leaking faucets is probably one of the most common plumbing problems for most homes – the problem usually caused by worn-out interior components such as washers, O-rings, and seals. So, what you need to do is to open the faucet and replace the worn parts.
These are some of the best DIY plumbing hacks and trips that every homeowner should have. They can be useful during a plumbing emergency in North Brisbane. However, we recommend that you hire professional plumbing in North Brisbane if it is a complex plumbing problem such as a broken pipe causing flooding. They will help you detect and fix the main cause of the plumbing problem.
