How To Solve Small Plumbing Problems At Home

Having a plumbing issue at home may sound like minor trouble but it could quickly turn into your worst nightmare if you’re unprepared. Regardless of whether we’re talking about a dripping faucet, a leaking pipe, a water heater leak, or a clogged drain, what started out small could transform into a major issue that is preventing you from your ordinary way of life at home. Although there are cases that undoubtedly demand the help of an experienced plumber providing handyman services there are other problems that could easily be solved at home with DIY methods. 

We’re here to help you make your life easier by suggesting a few quick tips to solving small plumbing problems alone. Knowing about these methods could help you save time, money, and a lot of stress in the long run. 

Here we go.

Blocked drains

A blocked drain can cause problems in the bathroom or in the kitchen, leaving you helpless. However, there are a few things you can do to solve the problem before calling a plumber. First, try to remove any particles or items that you see obstructing the drain. If the water still doesn’t go down, take out the manhole covers. Make sure to put gloves on to prevent any risk of contamination as the drains are not the cleanest places around the house after all. 

Use a rod and turn it clockwise as you try to remove the particles which are causing the blockage. Before trying to pull out whatever is causing the damage, try pushing it downwards. Once the items are removed, pour some hot water into the drain to make sure everything works correctly.

Leaky pipe

Broken pipes are another common issue homeowners or tenants often face. You can find a temporary answer to the problem by using a pipe repair clamp. You can also use self-fusing repair tape but you’ll have to get rid of any dirt found in the pipe. Use about 20 or 30cm of tape and wrap it around the pipe as soon as you can. Make sure the hole is left open until the sides are taped first and leave it for last. 

Blocked toilet

Suffering from the discomfort of a blocked toilet? No need to stress.

Put your rubber gloves on and reach to see if there are any visible items or particles that you can manually remove. Sometimes, the blockage may be caused by an object that has fallen into the toilet like a phone, sock, or another large item. Surprisingly, using a wire coat hanger can also be helpful when trying to unblock a toilet. After you’ve unwinded it, lower it down to the blocked area and if possible remove the blocking. Be careful not to hurt your flexible flush pipe if you have one. 

Running toilet

If you notice that water keeps running after you’ve finished flushing the toilet, you’ve got a problem. Take the lid off from the cistern and take a look. Do an inspection by flushing the water and observing the level of the water within the cistern. If it drops below the line, take a look at the water valve to see if it’s properly turned on. Maybe the flapper valve is open and not reaching the valve? You can correct this manually by reaching in and making the necessary adjustments. 

These are just a few examples of how you can quickly react to prevent further damage at home by fixing these minor plumbing problems. Of course, if you notice that the problem is too complex and you don’t want to risk causing more trouble by experimenting on your own, call a local property maintenance company and don’t postpone the solution.