Plumbing problems can be a major hassle. However, with some simple DIY tricks, you can save yourself money and prevent costly repairs.
From identifying the source of a leak to placing drain strainers over sink and shower drains to catch hair and soap scum, these tips will keep your home plumbing in tip-top shape.
Clogged Drains
One of the most common plumbing problems that homeowners face is clogged drains. Not only are they inconvenient, but if they’re left unchecked for too long, they can cause serious damage to the pipes and even lead to costly flooding and other major issues.
The good news is that there are some simple tricks you can use to keep your drains clear and prevent clogs before they happen. From using a natural drain cleaner to ensuring that nothing goes down the drains that shouldn’t, these easy-to-follow tips can help you save money and avoid costly repairs.
Start With Natural Solutions
While there are many store-bought chemical products that can fix a clogged drain, these should be your last resort. Instead, try starting with natural drain clearing and cleaning solutions like baking soda and vinegar. These can quickly and easily break up and dissolve minor clogs and drain buildup, and they’re much safer for your pipes than the harsh chemicals found in most store-bought products.
Be Mindful of What Goes Down the Drain
There are a lot of things that can go down your drains that shouldn’t, including food scraps, hair, and items dropped down by children or pets. Make sure to use drain covers or screens to keep these objects from getting into your sinks, and be careful when putting anything down the garbage disposal. Also, be mindful of what you flush down the toilet and only ever flush toilet paper, human waste, and sanitary products.
Run Hot Water Regularly
Running hot water down your drains can help to dislodge and break up clogs, and it can also help to prevent odors from lingering in the home. You should also be sure to clean your strainers regularly to prevent clogs and debris from building up inside the drain line.
If you’ve tried the above tips and are still struggling with a clogged drain, don’t hesitate to contact a professional plumber. They can use a video inspection to locate clogs and other problems in your sewer lines or pipes, and they’ll be able to recommend the right solution for you – a good place to start would be with the Madison plumbers.
Clogged Toilets
Most homeowners don’t think much about their toilets until they begin to clog. This common plumbing problem can be a serious inconvenience and is often caused by flushing objects that shouldn’t be in the drain line. These items can include disposable wipes, menstrual products, sanitary products, cotton balls, ear swabs, and toys. These materials don’t dissolve in water and can create clogs that lead to expensive problems with your home’s pipes and municipal sewage system.
The good news is that you can take a few simple steps to prevent toilet clogs and save money. For example, you can try plunging the toilet with a rubber plunger, which is effective for most clogs. You can also use a snake or a drain auger to break up the blockage. Another great trick is to pour hot (but not boiling) water down the drain. This can loosen up the clog and make it easier to break up with a plumber’s snake.
You can also prevent clogs by ensuring that the flapper is working properly. You can do this by adjusting the chain that controls it or by pushing up on the handle of the toilet to raise it. If these tricks don’t work, you may need to call a professional.
Many clogs occur in the toilet’s drain pipe, which leads to the sink, tub, and shower drains in your bathroom. If you notice that these are clogged as well, it means that the clog is deeper in the system and may require a professional to fix.
Some clogs can be prevented by making sure that only waste and toilet paper are flushed. In addition, you can place trashcans in your bathrooms so that personal care items and other waste can be properly disposed of. You can also invest in a professional piping system that helps to prevent mineral buildup and reduces the risk of clogs.
If you have a stubborn clog that can’t be resolved with a plunger or a snake, you can try using a bottle of liquid soap to clear the blockage. This method works because dish soap is slippery and can help to break down the clog so that it can be passed through the pipes more easily.
Leaky Faucets
A leaking faucet may seem like a minor issue, but it can quickly lead to excessive water bills and waste of clean water. In addition, a dripping faucet can become a serious problem if left unattended and can lead to water damage in your home. Luckily, fixing a leaky faucet is relatively easy for someone with basic plumbing skills.
The first step to fixing a leaky faucet is shutting off the water supply, which can usually be done by turning the knob on the faucet handle to the off position. After that, the next step is to remove the handle by unscrewing the decorative cap or using a flat-head screwdriver (gently). Once you have removed the handle, you can inspect the interior parts of the faucet. A faulty washer or O-ring is often the cause of a leaky faucet. You can purchase replacements for these parts at most hardware stores or a plumbing supply specialist.
After replacing the washer or O-ring, reassemble the faucet by starting with the valve stem assembly, which is the part that connects the faucet handle to the rest of the system. Depending on the design of your faucet, you may need to loosen or tighten the screw that holds the assembly in place with an Allen wrench. Once the assembly is reassembled, replace the decorative cap and turn the water on to test for leaks.
If your at-home troubleshooting is unsuccessful in solving the problem, it may be time to call a professional plumber. A plumber can help you diagnose and fix more complex issues such as corrosion in the valve seat, broken parts, or worn out seals.
While there are many ways a homeowner can fix a dripping faucet, most of the time, it’s a simple problem to fix. Turn off the water, and then remove the handle by removing the decorative cap or using a screwdriver to loosen the Allen screw. Next, the handle can be removed and the adjusting ring can be tightened using a spanner tool that is included in most repair kits.
Sewer Backups
Your home’s sewer lines are responsible for bringing waste and sewage away from your sinks, tubs, showers, toilets and other plumbing fixtures. When these lines become blocked or breached, water will begin to back up into your house, causing serious problems. If you are aware of the early signs of a sewer backup, you can take action to treat it before it becomes a full-blown disaster.
A sewage backup is one of the worst plumbing problems that can affect your home. Not only does the sewage cause damage to your walls, floors and furniture, but it also poses health hazards for you and your family. Raw sewage contains harmful bacteria and viruses that can lead to illnesses such as hepatitis A, gastroenteritis and E. coli. In addition, it can encourage the growth of mold and other harmful microbes that could lead to respiratory issues.
If you have a sewer backup, you should turn off your home’s water supply as soon as possible and evacuate the affected area immediately. Once you are out of the way, you can call a professional plumber to inspect and repair your sewer line. They will be able to determine what caused the problem and give you advice on how to prevent it from happening in the future.
The most common causes of a sewage backup are items that were flushed down the drain or from debris that entered the sewer line. Items that were not supposed to be in your drains can include children’s toys, sanitary products and paper towels. These items can get snagged in the exterior pipes that lead to the sewer line and clog them. Tree roots can also infiltrate the sewer line and cause a blockage.
To prevent a sewer backup, you should avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper and dispose of any grease properly. It’s also a good idea to have your sewer line inspected by a professional plumber once a year. If you have older clay pipes, it’s important to consider replacing them with plastic piping as they can break down over time.
