Hidden Plumbing Problems: What to Look for

3 Tricks For Taking Care Of Your Own Plumbing Needs

16 July 2019

Herbert Chambers

If you own or even rent a home, it can be helpful to know a little bit about how to take care of basic plumbing issues. Being able to take care of easy and basic plumbing problems will save you from having to call a plumber or your landlord every time something goes wrong with your plumbing.

Take the Lid Off Your Toilet

If your toilet doesn't seem to be running right, take the lid off your toilet. Attached to your toilet handle inside the toilet tank is an extended handle with a chain that is attached to the flapper, which releases water into the bowl.

If your toilet is constantly running, check and make sure the chain is not stuck on another component in your toilet. Sometimes, especially with older toilets, the chain needs to be wiggled around a little bit or put back in place so the flapper can close.

If your toilet is still running once you fix the chain, see if the flapper looks like it is damaged or cracked. If it is damaged or cracked, it is time to call in a professional to change the damaged flapper for you.

Get Rid of That Clog

One of the best ways to stop a clog is to prevent the clog from happening in the first place. In your bathroom, that means using a catcher that will stop hair from going down your drain. In your kitchen, that means keeping food out of your drain and keeping fats and greases out as well.

If you do end up with a clog in a drain, purchase a basic drain snake from your local home improvement store. Take the drain snake and push it down the drain, moving it back and forth before pulling it out. This will allow you to easily remove clogs that are not that deep without pouring a bunch of harmful chemicals down your drains.

Stop Your Dripping Shower Head

If your shower head is dripping, unscrew it from the pipe sticking out of the wall. Then, take some thread tape, and wrap the tape around the space where the shower head screws into the pipe. Wrap the thread tape clockwise. Then, take the shower head and screw it back into place. This should tighten up the connection and stop the dripping from your shower head.

Having a little plumbing knowledge will allow you to take care of the small issues on your own, and will help you to really know when you need to call in a professional plumber to take care of whatever plumbing-related issue you are facing. For more information, contact companies like Brother's Plumbing.

Share  

Search