Plumbing challenges can occur with little or no prior notice, and its aftermath can be devastating and frustrating, especially when you are at a loss as to what solutions to proffer to such a plumbing problem. Noticeably, plumbing issues occur in minor forms that are relatively cheap to fix, like a slow draining sink and consistent dripping faucet to severe problems that are more expensive to fix, which may often require the services of a professional plumber such as clogged sewage system and burst sewage pipes.
However, with the right tools and knowledge, there are simple solutions that can be applied to solving some of the most common plumbing problems at home by yourself without seeking a professional plumber. Thereby saving you some extra money.
Below are simple solutions to common plumbing problems at home.
1. Clogged or Slow Draining Sink
This problem occurs due to a blockage that limits the flow of water. In the kitchen sink drain, the blockage can be due to food remnants and congealed fat.
A solution to slow draining the sink may be to pour vinegar and baking soda using a plunger or plumber’s snake. Also, you can manually remove any food remnants on the sink drain and thereafter clean it.
2. Running Toilet
Homeowners that experience this problem have wastewater up to 200 gallons per day. You may be wondering, why does my toilet keep running all day? The problem is usually a result of a faulty flapper valve that controls the water that passes from the toilet tank to the bowl. Sediments and mineral-build up can affect the flushing and easy refilling of the toilet. Small leaks are caused too.
To solve this, take off the tank and flush the toilet and keep your eyes on the rubber flap while performing this task.
If it doesn’t close completely, it means some quantity of water entering the tank flows out easily via a valve that is not properly sealed. Most times, a simple jiggle of the handle can reposition the flap to seal securely. For small leaks, put a small colored food quantity in the upper tank and observe it closely if it gets to the toilet.
3. Low Water Pressure
This problem occurs mostly at the sink faucet. It is often caused by leaking pipes due to wares and tear or broken tap. Whilst low water pressure in a shower is usually caused by the build-up of mineral deposits and sediments on the aerators.
To solve this problem, soak the aerator to clean it by using vinegar. If the problem is from the shower, you can use the same method by soaking the showerhead in vinegar or use a soaked toothbrush in vinegar to scrub the showerhead, and if this doesn’t solve the problem, then replacing the shower will be your next option.
4. Dripping Faucets
Most homeowners and residents have come across this problem one or the other. This is caused by worn-out O-rings or washers. It may be due to corrosion or the wrong installation of the faucet fixture, or a mix fit fixture. If this problem is left unattended, it can cost you lots of money and gallons of water.
The problem can be solved by switching off the water supply to the dripping faucet, disassemble the faucet and replace the worn-out O-rings or washer and thereafter reassemble the faucet appropriately.
5. Faulty Water Heater
The causes are; sediments build up in the tank, weak/bad thermostat, and bad pilot light going off.
For a minor problem as pilot light going off- turn ON the water heater pilot light. If the thermostat is bad/damaged, then replace it with the manufactured specified one. Please, call your professional plumber if the problem persists.
6. Clogged Toilet
A clogged toilet occurs when the toilet bowl doesn’t drain easily after it’s been filled up. It is usually caused by a combination of human and paper waste.
Solution: use a plunger or sewer snake to loosen any blockage.
7. Clogged Shower or Bath Drain
Similar to your bathroom sinks, even showers and baths become clogged by hair and soap. A plunger or plumbers snake can be used to clear the blockage completely.
8. Jammed Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposal is helpful to home fixtures located in every household under the sink- usually between the sink’s tap and drain.
How can you solve this?
Hit the reset button. If this doesn’t work, then open it with its key- a ¼ -inch Allen wrench can be used to free the motor easily.
In conclusion, do well to keep yourself abreast of the latest plumbing tools and equipment for an easy fix of minor plumbing problems at home, and most importantly, reach out to a professional plumber if the problem is beyond what you can do since most of them are professionals in their field with years of experience and they often have modern tools for plumbing problems.