Common Plumbing Problems You Can Fix Yourself

For those used to calling a plumber every time there is even the minutest plumbing issue, the idea of fixing these common plumbing problems can seem somewhat foreign. Yet, if you are determined to get it right, you are likely to get it the first time you do it. As theplumbinginfo.com notes, complex plumbing jobs should be left to the professionals. All the same, there is nothing to stop you from doing those smaller easier plumbing jobs in your home. Some of those that you can fix on your own include:

Toilet Won’t Flush

If you find that your toilet is not flushing properly, don’t wait for a plumber. This DIY task requires little skill. Wait until the toilet tank is full to check whether the flushing mechanism is faulty. Open the lid of the tank and check whether there are visible obstructions interfering with the cistern’s filling process and remove whatever you find. It is likely that the chain is broken, in which case you will just need to reattach it. If your toilet has been serving you for more than five years, chances are that the problem will be beyond repair and you may need to replace it altogether. Here is a list of the best toilets. You could also find that you need to replace the whole cistern or the complete valve system.

Low Water Pressure

The sink faucet can sometimes frustrate you because of low water pressure. Before you embark on solving this problem, check whether the low pressure problem is affecting cold as well as hot water systems in your home. If that is the case, then the likely culprit is the aerator. Typically, calcium deposits will build up slowly around the faucet aerator and over time reduce the pressure of the water. Unblocking such an aerator is easy: carefully take out the aerator and remove all debris. Mount it on back and your low water pressure problem will be a thing of the past.

Tub Draining Slowly

A slow draining tub does not have to give you needless trouble. In a matter of minutes, you can solve this problem using readily available tools at home. Often times, the reason for the slow draining of your tub is an accumulation of hair, which over time becomes substantial enough to slow down your water on its way down the drain. To solve this problem, you will need to use needle nose pliers or the Zip-it tool. These two are excellent tools for reaching into and clearing out all debris in your drain. If your drain has a tub stopper, remove it first to get better access to all the hairs clogging your drain.

When to bring in the pros

It’s great if you can fix minor plumbing issues yourself. You can save time and money and maybe even learn some new skills with help from the internet. When it comes to the big jobs, however, then it’s usually best to call in plumbing specialists. Here are three signs that it’s time to bring in the pros. 

Your toilet keeps overflowing

Most toilet overflows are caused by a simple blockage and can be fixed by some quick work with a plunger. If that doesn’t solve the problem, then there’s something more serious going on. In that case, you need to get in a plumber quickly. If you keep trying to fix it yourself with a plunger, you could damage your toilet and maybe your piping. 

Your water heater won’t stop “weeping”

It’s wise to go and check on your water heater regularly, not just if the pilot light goes out. If you notice any signs of dampness around it (e.g., rust), then it may be weeping. This is often a sign of a slow leak. Never try to fix water heaters unless you really know what you’re doing. Call in a pro. 

There’s a strong smell of sewage

If your drains have a bit of an odor issue, you can probably solve this with regular clean. If, however, there’s a strong smell of sewage, then you probably have a major plumbing issue. Don’t even try tackling it yourself, you could make the problem a whole lot worse, just call a plumber.