Have you ever had a leaky faucet, clogged pipe, or a toilet that suddenly wouldn’t flush? If you’re new to the world of DIY minor plumbing fixes around the house, issues like these may seem overwhelming. The good news is that with a few helpful tips, anyone can fix most minor plumbing issues before they become big problems! Preventative plumbing is the best way to save your money and avoid a major headache. Keep reading to learn about 5 easy plumbing fixes that anyone can do!
KNOW WHERE TO FIND YOUR SHUTOFF VALVE
This is the most basic starting point for anyone moving into a new home (or anyone who’s lived in their home for a while, but has never needed to look for their shutoff valve). You never know when you may need this information – and when you do, you’ll want it quickly – so it’s best to figure out where to find the shutoff valve before you need to access it! It’s worth noting that apartment buildings may not have dedicated shutoff valves. If you’re renting, ask your landlord about this!
UNCLOG DRAINS WITHOUT HARSH CHEMICALS
Harsh chemicals tend to be highly corrosive, so we recommend avoiding pouring them down your clogged drain. There are other fixes you can try – here are two of them!
1. Pour boiling water down the drain, followed by a 1:1 mix of vinegar and baking soda. Cover and let it sit for 10 – 15 minutes. Should be running good as new!
2. If that doesn’t work, try a drain snake. You’ll simply insert the drain snake down the drain and – hopefully – pull out the cause of the clog with it when you remove it.
BE KIND TO YOUR GARBURATOR
Ah, garburators – an unsung hero of the kitchen. It’s so important to be kind to yours, and we have a few easy tips for doing just that. First things first: do not put hard materials down your garburator (e.g. chicken bones or eggshells)! Next, you should always run water while using the garburator, too – and we recommend cold water. And finally, always avoid putting your hands near the inlet – instead, generously rinsing before and after use will keep your garburator in great condition.
MAINTAIN YOUR SHOWERHEAD
It’s super easy and super important to maintain your showerhead, especially if you notice a leak. A common cause of showerhead leaks are pipe threads that are no longer connecting tightly. This is one of many uses you’ll find for plumber’s tape (also known as Teflon tape) – unscrew your showerhead, apply the new tape in a counterclockwise direction, and reattach to stop the drip.
If, on the other hand, your showerhead has a clog, try soaking it in a bowl of warm water and vinegar for about an hour, then use a small brush (an old toothbrush should do the trick) to scrub out blockages that can be caused by mineral deposits.
KNOW WHEN TO BRING IN THE PROS (AND WHO TO CALL)
Sometimes, you have no other choice but to bring in a professional plumber. The benefits of a trustworthy plumber can’t be denied: plumbing pros are able to diagnose the problem quickly and correctly, how to fix it, and most importantly, they’ll know what to look for to help you avoid long term bigger issues.
That said, it’s important to know who you can trust. We’ve all heard – or shared – plumbing horror stories of high bills or temporary fixes. Be sure to talk to your family and friends for their recommendations, check out online reviews, and research what questions to ask in advance. Knowledge is power, after all.
We hope these tips have left you feeling empowered and a little more confident about minor plumbing fixes you can complete in your home.
For everything else, consider giving We Love Plumbing a call at 204-654-6106.
Happy plumbing!