The plumbing of your house must always be kept in the best shape to avoid unexpected and potentially messy scenarios involving plumbing issues. The mess that such issues can cause is not even the worst part of it. Getting extensive plumbing repair work done is expensive and will mean that you might not be able to use your home’s plumbing system (bathrooms, sinks, etc.) for a good while until the problem has been fixed.
Therefore, it always helps to know a thing or two about the plumbing system in your home. Although admittedly, it is a vast field and it may be overwhelming for beginners to understand which pipe goes where, but a few tips and tricks can always come in handy. So, we have put together some of the simplest plumbing related tips below that will help you deal with some of the common plumbing challenges around the house.
Furthermore, these tips will keep your plumbing system running smoothly and help you prevent major plumbing issues developing in the first place.
You Can Replace the Parts Inside Your Toilet and Faucet By Yourself
Before we get into this point, we should state that it is absolutely true that you should stay away from complex plumbing fixtures and avoid a taking apart pipes leading to the shower or the sink as that is best left to the professionals. However, the chances of substantial damage are quite less when performing simple plumbing tasks such as changing the faucet’s cartridge or the toilet’s flapper.
Flappers that are worn out are most often the cause behind a leaking toilet bowl. So by all means, rise to the occasion and fix the flapper yourself. A new flapper costs very little and will come with an instruction manual to follow as well. The same applies to the faucet; the entire interior can be replaced with a fresh cartridge. It will only require you to undo a few screws here and there, so get the supplies from the local store and give it a shot.
Unclog Drains Without Chemicals
This tip has two facets to it. One is that chemicals will harm the interior of your plumbing pipes in the long run; so avoid using them. The second is that your slow-moving and annoyingly clogged drain can be unclogged using an inexpensive drain snake.
So, the next time you have a clogged drain situation at home, just take the drain snake, plunge it into the drain and pull it back out. Hopefully, this will resolve the clog issue after a few tries. If this sounds like too much of a hassle for you, you can also use a wet vacuum cleaner to clear out the blockage from the drains.
Check Your Showerhead for Issues
The showerhead is often a culprit in leakage or low-pressure scenarios. You can use thread tape to fix the dripping from the showerhead easily. The leak is usually caused when the threads aren’t tightly connected, so the water seeps through. All it requires is that you unscrew the showerhead, wrap the new tape around it clockwise, and then put it back into the shower.
On the other hand, when you have a clogged showerhead, simply leave it in a mixture of warm water and vinegar for about an hour. Clean out any mineral deposits afterward using a toothbrush.
Use Thread Tape Instead of Thread Sealing Compound
Thread sealing compound, also known as "pipe dope," is generally used in most DIY plumbing projects that involve threads. Thread sealing compound can smear and drip, so you should use thread tape instead. Thread tape is easily available at your local hardware store. Go for a white-colored, multipurpose tape. Also, choose the thicker variants of the thread tape as they are more convenient to handle. Roll the tape counterclockwise at least three times for a job well done.
Loosen Water Pipe Fittings Using Heat
Did you know that water pipe fittings can be loosened up if you apply heat to them? Fittings that have hardened will be very difficult to budge no matter how much strength and force you apply with your pipe wrench. A small propane torch can help in this regard, but it will take a while before it applies enough heat to loosen up the solidified old pipe. Do not try this on plastic pipes. This is strictly meant for pipes made of metal.
Your Septic Tank Maintenance Is Important
A septic tank acting up can wreak messy havoc. You run the risk of inviting your toilet backup into the house if the sediments continue to build inside the septic tank. It is therefore absolutely essential that you keep the septic tank thoroughly maintained. To know whether your septic tank is acting up or not, there are certain signs that you can look out for.
- A pungent smell near the area where the tank is located.
- The grass in your garden might start looking greener than usual due to the extra fertilizer that it is getting.
- Wet patches in your garden, especially around the area of the septic tank.
If you notice these signs, it’s likely that you’ll require professional services. These may be costly, but they are well worth every penny, given the danger and the risks that can be averted due to this maintenance.
Check Your Toilet Base for Signs of Damage Caused By Leaks
You can detect toilet leaks that may be causing water damage simply by checking for any signs of weakness or softness on the bathroom floor around the toilet. Place your foot on each side of the toilet and put pressure on the floor or swing back and forth. It’s crucial that you detect these signs of water damage early on. They’ll be more expensive to deal with later as they can cause a lot of damage to your toilet and even to the floor of your bathroom.
To conclude, there are a number of plumbing tips and tricks that can help you keep your plumbing system working smoothly. There are some problems that will require a professional hand; however, with the above-mentioned tips, you can deal with the minor plumbing related issues around the house easily. If you need help with any plumbing related issues around your house, acquire our dedicated plumbing services to take care of all your plumbing needs.