Being able to take care of common plumbing problems is going to save you some money and help you avoid expensive repairs down the road. While a few of these fixes might seem daunting, you shouldn’t run into any problems as long as you are careful. Here is a look at four plumbing issues that can easily be fixed with the right tools and a little bit of patience.
The Toilet Won’t Stop Running
After being used, your toilet should only run for a minute or two. If it doesn’t stop, then you might have a broken float valve. Float valves are very easy to replace, and you probably won’t have to use any tools. The float is generally attached to the basin with a valve nut that can be turned by hand. Before changing the float, you will need to turn off the water at the shutoff valve and completely drain the toilet’s basin.
Leaky Faucet
According to the EPA, a single slow leak can waste over 100 gallons of water per year. Leaks that are coming from the spout of a faucet can be taken care of by tightening the spray head or replacing the small screen inside the spray head. For leaks near the base of the fixture, you must replace the O-rings or gaskets under the sink. This is another fix that should only be carried out after you have turned off the water shutoff valve leading into your home.
No Pressure in the Shower
Over the years, grime and calcium deposits can clog your shower head and reduce your water pressure. The best way to clean a shower head is to soak it in vinegar for at least 12 hours to dislodge those deposits. If that doesn’t improve the water pressure, then you might need to replace the shower head entirely. Shower heads can be installed with nothing more than a pipe wrench, and you don’t have to turn the water off before starting this project.
Clogged Drain
A clogged drain is probably the most common plumbing issue that homeowners encounter, and this problem can almost always be avoided with hair catchers and sink screens. Drain cleaner is a good option for slow drains, but you should contact a plumber, like Jim Dhamer Plumbing and Sewer, Inc., if more than one drain is clogged or the drains become clogged on a regular basis. Those are both signs that there is a clog deeper in the pipes that can only be dislodged with specialty equipment.
In order to tackle any of these tasks, you will first need to invest in a few high-quality tools. At the very least, your toolkit should contain a pipe wrench, a socket wrench, pliers, tube cutters, a plunger, and thread sealer.
