As a homeowner, you will probably face plumbing problems sooner or later. Dun-Right Plumbing states, “As household problems go, they are relatively common. Fortunately, they are also often fairly easy for a homeowner to fix. Furthermore, handling the repairs yourself can save you hundreds of dollars.” Here are a few common plumbing problems with solutions that you may be able to handle yourself:
1. A Sink That Drains Slowly
Eventually, many homeowners find themselves dealing with a slow-draining sink. Hair and other debris along with soap residue can collect in the drain and limit the flow of wastewater out of the sink. The solution is to remove the clog to ensure better drainage.
How to Fix It
Drain cleaners are the simplest solution but these can cause damage if the home’s plumbing is old. A milder remedy is to pour about half a cup of baking soda down the drain followed by a cup of white vinegar. In many cases, the resulting chemical reaction will be sufficient to dislodge any clogs. Another option is to use a plunger. Be sure to stop up adjoining drains and any air vents before plunging or you are likely to wind up with a mess. A third option is to use an auger. You can try fashioning one from a wire coat hanger. With some clogs, this will be all you need to clear out your drain. A more advanced option is to use a pipe wrench to detach the trap under the sink. This may allow you to get at the clog. If none of these options work, it may be necessary to call a plumber.
2. A Single-Lever Faucet that Drips
Many homes now have faucets operated by levers instead of the old-fashioned two-knob system. Lever faucets can start dripping when their water-filter cartridges go bad.
How to Fix It
Start by turning off both the hot and cold-water shut-off valves. Lift the lever all the way up to open the faucet. Remove the cap on the lever and unscrew the screw under it. This will reveal the cartridge. If necessary, pull out the retaining clip (you may need pliers) and remove the handle. Take out the cartridge and replace it with a new one.
3. Repairing a Leaky Toilet
A malfunctioning toilet can be one of the biggest wasters of water in your house. Furthermore, it can waste a lot of water without drawing any attention to itself. About 20 percent of toilets leak. You can determine if your toilet is leaking by placing a few drops of food coloring in the tank. Wait a few minutes and look at the water in the bowl. If the water in the bowl is colored and you have not flushed, this means that you have a leak.
How to Fix It
Turn off the shut-off valve at the base of the toilet before emptying the tank. You can empty the tank by flushing the toilet. Look inside the tank. If the water level is above that of the overflow tube, this may indicate a problem with the float or with the ballcock’s inlet valve. The float is there to tell the inlet valve when to stop the flow of water. A problem with this mechanism will cause the water to keep rising until it flows through the overflow tube to the bowl. Adjust the screw at the top of the ballcock to change the level of the float. Adjusting this screw can lower the level of the water in the tank.
