Do you have leaky pipes? Maybe the drain in your sink isn’t working properly? Or, perhaps you need to replace that old shower head with something more energy-efficient? These are just a few of the many plumbing fixes and upgrades that home owners need to deal with at one point or another.
While it may be tempting to call the professionals to help you, but plumbers charge quite a bit and can easily run up your bill if you’re not careful.
However, there are several plumbing fixes that you can do yourself, so saving money and learning a new skill of fixing common plumbing problems. If you can handle some basic tools and are up to the occasional challenge, you can save time and money with these simple plumbing fixes.
Whether it’s clogged drains, slow-moving toilets, or leaky faucets, you’ll be able to do-it-yourself in no time at all.
So, let’s delve in:
Table of Contents
- Unclog a kitchen sink drain
- Check your running toilet
- Fixing minor leaky faucets
- Replacing your garbage disposal
- Fix your bathroom sink slow draining
Unclog a kitchen sink drain
Having a clogged kitchen sink drain is a common annoyance. But you can easily unclog the sink with simple technique using a plunger, cup of boiling water, and baking soda. It will just take a few of your minutes.
Simply, pour the boiling water down the drain with the plunger in place over the opening of the pipe. You can also add about 1/4-cup baking soda for each gallon of hot water before pouring it into the drain.
The mixture will bubble up and loosen hair buildup or other debris that might be stuck on the inside surface. Wait 10-15 minutes for it to work its magic before plunging vigorously with a plunger. This technique should free up any remaining bits that are still blocking your sink drain pipes.
Check your running toilet
If you have a toilet that is running, there are a few different reasons why this may be happening. First, you can check the water level in your tank by seeing if it’s below the full line. If it is below the line and not refilling, then most likely you need to replace your flapper. It’s a round rubber disc at the bottom of the overflow tube. This disc flapper lets the water flow out of the tank into the bowl when you flush.
Second, make sure all of your water valves are turned off in order to stop water from running through any other parts of your plumbing system. Third, clean out any dirt or debris that may be clogging up your toilet’s drain hole. Finally, if none of these things work and it still continues to run when nothing else has been done, contact a plumber or call a professional!
Also Read: PEX Plumbing vs. Copper Plumbing Which is better for your home
Fixing minor leaky faucets
The most common plumbing problem homeowner’s face is a leaky faucet. Minor leaks can often be fixed in under an hour and for as low as $15, which is much cheaper than calling in a plumber.
Repairing a dripping faucet depends on the type of faucet you have – cartridge faucet, compression faucet, and ball-type or ceramic-disk faucet. In most of the cases you just need to install new seat washers. For compression faucet, you can pry off the decorative cap on the handle, exposing screws, and remove the handle.
After loosening the stem from the faucet body, you can unscrew the rubber washer and replace the seat washer. But make sure to use a nontoxic, heat-proof plumber’s grease.
But before you can try repairing a leaky faucet, make sure to turn off the water supply. Simply, locate the shutoff valve near your water meter or behind your house near the foundation. Then turn on the faucet handle all the way and let water run until it stops running out of it.
Replacing your garbage disposal
A garbage disposal is one of those appliances that you don’t think about until it stops working. The good news is that most garbage disposals can be replaced as a DIY Project. It’s pretty simple to replace a garbage disposal as long as you’ve got the right tools on hand.
Before you get started with replacing your garbage disposal, make sure that the power is turned off. If not, turn off the breaker for the kitchen or pull out your fuse for extra precaution.
Next, take off any plumbing access panels where pipes connect to each other using a screwdriver and/or wrench to unscrew bolts from connecting points.
To replace your garbage disposal, remove all of the old parts from where it was previously installed – including any seals and metal cover plates – before installing new ones over existing components.
Also Read: Essential Tools for your every DIY Plumbing Job
Fix your bathroom sink slow draining
If you have a bathroom sink that’s draining slowly, you can fix the problem quickly by replacing the stopper. Here’s how:
Place a bucket or bowl under the drain to catch any water flowing out. Remove the screw in the center of the handle, and pull it away from the sink. Put your fingers on each side of the stopper and pull upward to remove it.
Clean both sides of where you removed it then place a new one in place. Replace screw with handle, and tighten securely by hand. Flip switch on faucet to test your work (you may need to lower water pressure).Remember to turn off water before attempting this project!
