How do you fix your plumbing? While a plumber can help with serious problems, there are DIY plumbing hacks you can use for minor glitches. If you are wondering how to do plumbing in your home, follow our guide to handling common problems you may face with your sinks, toilets and drains.
1. The Toilet Keeps Running
When your toilet continues to run water, your water bill increases. To prevent a toilet from running, you will need to inspect the part of your toilet called the flapper. The flapper is in the tank. It is attached to a chain and acts as a plug. When you flush, it gets unplugged, allowing water from the tank to fill the toilet bowl. Press it down to stop the flow of water, and see if the water stops running.
2. The Toilet Is Clogged
Sometimes items get caught in the toilet. If your toilet is not flushing and you feel something is blocking it from flushing, your plunger can offer a quick solution. Place the plunger over the hole in your toilet, and press it up and down to dislodge the item.
3. The Kitchen Sink Is Clogged With Food
If your drain is clogged with foods like dessert batter or butter, one quick fix is running hot water and dish detergent down the drain. The detergent should break through the food and run it down the pipes with the hot water. Solutions with baking soda and vinegar have proved to work, too.
4. Something Is Blocking Your Bathroom Drain
If things like toothpaste caps and bottle caps clog your sink, bend a wire hanger and create a hook at the end to access items in the drain. Most sinks also contain a drain catch. You can try accessing it to retrieve items clogging the drain.
5. Your Faucet Has Weak Water Pressure
Faucets contain a piece called an aerator. It is a mesh-looking screen attached to the end of your faucet, where the water comes out. If you do not clean this aerator regularly, dirt and other substances can build up, blocking your water from coming through. To clean it, unscrew the aerator, and run hot water through the screen. You can use a toothbrush to remove any particles that remain after rinsing.
An old fixture could also result in weak water pressure. When water pressure is low and you have cleaned the aerator, there's a chance that the water pressure is still lacking. Consider the age of your fixture. If your faucet hasn't been replaced in years, it is probably time to purchase a new one.
Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Oneida for Your Plumbing Problems
At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we know that not every water problem requires a plumber. These plumbing hacks are helpful for those common household problems. If your plumbing problems persist, then it is probably time to call in an expert. Trust our professional staff to solve your plumbing issues promptly. When you call Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we will send a professional to your house to do a plumbing check-up at no charge. Call us today at 315-478-0849.