It’s hard to conceptualize how the average American household wastes nearly 10,000 gallons of water every year due to plumbing leaks. More mindboggling is that cumulatively one trillion gallons of water go down the drain due to home leaks each year.
Most people don’t know how to deal with even the most basic plumbing issues. Such a level of inexperience is, in part, to blame for the extent of losses caused by household leaks. Are you wondering what plumbing repairs you can undertake on your own to minimize the risk of leaks?
Read on for DIY repair tricks that can help you minimize leaks on your plumbing system.
1. Remove Clogs the Natural Way
We all grew up thinking that you need chemicals to clear drains. Truth is chemicals can have far-reaching implications on your plumbing system.
Clogs are the most common plumbing problems you’ll encounter at home. The good news is that you can DIY your way around some of the common clogging concerns.
Using a drain snake to clear the clogs makes easy work of any blockages in your system. If the clog snake doesn’t do the trick, you could always consider a wet/dry shop vacuum equipment. However, if these methods don’t work, your last resort is to call in our team of experts to help you deal with any stubborn clogs.
2. Install a New Bathroom Faucet
Faucets are among the few plumbing fixtures that are often susceptible to wear and tear. Damaged faucets not only cause leaks but also affects the pressure of water. The best news is that you can reinstall a broken faucet with relative ease.
You only need first to shut off the main water supply, and then disconnect the old faucet. All you need is to note the connection points on the existing faucets before dismantling it.
After you find a faucet that meets the same connection settings, you'll be home and dry. However, even if you don’t get the exact fit, bathroom faucets are still the simplest to connect. The best part is that you could always consider calling in our experts to help you connect the faucet if DIY fails.
3. Stop a Running Toilet
A running toilet is among the most common plumbing problems at home. When your toilet begins to overrun, it's understandable for you to feel frustrated. Before you run all out looking for a plumber, you could start by considering a DIY repair.
Most cases of a running toilet are due to a broken shut-off valve, which you can fix independently. You only need to shut off the main water supply to your toilet first. The next step should be to visit the local hardware stores and purchase the shut-off valve, which often has installation details.
If the issue isn't with the shut-off valve, the problem could be a clogged toilet or blockage in the toilet trap. The concern you must have when repairing a running toilet is the risk it poses to your property and your house. It’s wise to always call in plumbing specialists if you aren’t sure about the underlying cause of the running toilet.
4. Deal With Water Pressure Issues
Nothing is more frustrating than dealing with low water pressure at home. Whether it's water running at a snail pace from the kitchen faucets or the bathroom, it may be needful to address the matter as soon as possible. Mineral buildup often from hard water is the most common cause of low water pressure.
To determine whether mineral buildup is the issue, you only need to check the showerhead's extent of accumulation. You can start by removing all the accumulated lime around the showerhead. This will ease the blockage and enhance water pressure.
After that, a screwdriver can help you scratch off any stubborn grit from the showerhead. You may also use a descaling solution to rinse off the spray plate before assembling back the showerhead. If the issue persists, you might consider signing up for plumbing maintenance programs to help keep your system in check.
5. Fix a Leaky Faucet
Most faucet related leaks emerge from the spout or due to a leak at the base. You can either fold your hands and wait for help or get down with the dirt by considering DIY repair. Depending on the type of faucet attached to the system, this could be an easy-do-it kind of engagement.
Most of the cases of leaky faucets are due to worn out washers or misalignment. Once you locate and switch off the water on the main supply line, you can then replace the washers or realign the faucets. At times, all you need is to tighten the part connecting the faucet to the water supply.
If you think that the issue could be more than just a worn-out washer, consider calling in our specialists. It would be a blunder to attempt DIY if the issue at hand is complex.
6. Replace Parts of the Toilet
Your toilet has a few parts that matter. While some of these parts are delicate, others can be rectifiable through DIY repair. Replacing your toilets flappers or faucet cartridges is among the easiest ways to deal with toilet-related issues.
If your toilet flappers are worn out, you’ll likely notice leaks in between the toilet tanks and bowl. You can deal with these leaks by purchasing new flappers. The package comes with a set of instructions on replacement, which makes the process easy.
You may also consider changing the toilet’s cartridge if you suspect that this could be the cause of toilet issues. Both cartridge and flappers are easy DIY repair processes.
Consider Pro Services If DIY Repair Fails
Plumbing fixtures are among the most important installments in your home. However, these fixtures often succumb to functional issues, something that causes immense frustrations. You can always consider these DIY repair tips when this happens.
If the plumbing system develops complications and you aren't sure whether DIY is the best idea, it may be time to call us in for that professional reassurance.
Could you be stuck trying to find reliable plumbing contractors? With us, you are safe. Visit our page and ask for a job estimate.