Top 8 Plumbing Fixes You Can Do it Yourself at Home

As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to leave plumbing issues to the hands of plumbers who will resolve the issue with the necessary tools and knowledge. While homeowners may be inclined to put a bucket under a leaky pipe or wrap it with duct tape, this can only go so far. You may face much more serious plumbing issues if you attempt DIY solutions. However, there are a few quick fixes and plumbing projects that you can take on yourself if you have the right tools and the determination to pull it off. Here are a few easy fixes around the house that you can do yourself or with a partner’s help.

Unclog a Toilet

A clogged toilet is one of the most common plumbing issues people can face. The solution to it is mostly as simple as using a plunger to unclog the toilet. A clogged toilet is usually a sign of poor flushing habits: attempting to flush too much toilet paper at once or items that aren’t suitable for flushing. A good plunger is something each household should keep handy since it can be a quick yet effective solution to a spontaneous clog. If plunging doesn’t work and you notice severe overflow from the toilet, call for assistance immediately from a plumbing service like Fluenta Plumbing.

Clean Bath Drain

The biggest culprit of a clogged or slow draining bath drain is hair. It’s only natural that body and head hair falls into the drain which can easily form a hairball that clogs the drain. Unless the issue is out of control, you can clean out this hair from the drain to open up the passageways. There are many ways to do this ranging from using a thin, metal rod to pick out the hairballs from the drain to making a DIY solution of baking soda and vinegar to dissolve the hair.

Change Shower Head

Low water pressure from your shower is likely to be an easy fix just by changing the shower head. Thankfully, it’s a straightforward process that doesn’t require out-of-this-world handyman skills to carry out. Or perhaps you just want to change the shower head because you found a better one. Whatever the reason, it’s likely you can do this on your own.

Winterize Plumbing

External pipes that aren’t properly cared for can freeze up during the cold, winter months. You can do these to prevent this from happening:

• Using insulation sleeves, wrapping, or slip-on foam pipe insulation, insulate pipes. Cold air might harm the pipe in these places, therefore don't leave any gaps without insulation.
• Inspect the property's exterior to ensure that any apparent cracks have been sealed. Cold air can enter through the gaps and cause your pipe to freeze once inside.
• Maintain a source of heat within the house to maintain a contrast between indoor and outdoor temperature.

Clean the Garbage Disposal

Similar to a clogged drain, a clogged garbage disposal can lead to a clogged kitchen sink. This typically happens when you flush items down the disposal that aren’t supposed to be there and they have formed the clog. Clean out the garbage disposal carefully and see if it improves the clog in the sink.

Clean Your Faucet Aerators

The aerator is the little screen that allows water to flow freely from your faucet. Minerals and other debris can build up on the screen over time, resulting in a significant reduction in water flow. First, cut off the water supply to the sink then remove the screen and clean it by soaking it in vinegar for a few minutes or scrubbing it thoroughly with a brush.

Fixing Fixtures

It’s generally not advised for non-professionals to handle the changing of pipes, but faucets and fixtures are something just about anyone can handle. Items such as sink faucets, handles, toilet flaps, and so on are some of the parts that you can buy for an affordable price and then easily replace.

Fixing a Running Toilet

This is different from a clogged toilet. Ever went into the bathroom and heard a constant yet subtle whirring of the water in the tank? This is a running toilet and oftentimes it is caused by something that can be easily fixed. Try adjusting the handle into place, if that doesn’t work, you can add a bucket full of water into the bowl and see if that cuts off the running. Last but not least, replacing the floater switch or stop valve will resolve the issue.

Always keep in mind that if the situation exceeds your capabilities, call a plumbing service to avoid further damage to your property.