You may have noticed that your faucet is leaking or your toilet isn’t flushing like it used to. You might assume that these issues are due to age and would require a plumber’s services. However, most plumbing issues can be fixed by a homeowner with a little DIY know-how and a few tools in their home repair toolkit. While you probably don’t want to tackle issues such as replacing your home’s sewer or water lines, you might be surprised at how quickly you learn how to repair these common problems yourself. In addition, some types of plumbing issues are best left to a certified technician. These include issues related to gas lines, sewage systems, and water heaters. Although these issues require a professional, we can give you some tips on what to expect when hiring a plumber so that things go smoothly and cost effectively when the time comes for you to get your plumbing system back in working order.
Know your plumbing system
Before you attempt to fix your own plumbing issues, you should know some basics about the types of plumbing in your home. First, you need to know what kinds of plumbing are in your home. Some types of plumbing are more common than others, but all plumbing systems have some basic elements in common. For example, every plumbing system has a water supply (a source of clean water), a place to dispose of used water, and a way to connect the two (often a pipe). These are the three main parts of any plumbing system.
Check for leaks
One of the most common plumbing issues you may notice is water leaking from your faucet or a nearby water pipe. When water drips from your faucet, a plumber can quickly and easily fix this problem. However, if you notice a constant drip coming from your faucet, you probably have a more serious plumbing issue, such as a nearby pipe that has sprung a leak. If you suspect that a nearby pipe has sprung a leak, you should shut off the water to that location and contact a plumber as soon as possible. If you notice water leaking from your water pipes, you should shut off the water to those pipes and contact a plumber immediately. If your home has a water softening system, you should also let the water sit for a full day before using it again so that harmful minerals can be removed from the water.
Check for clogs
Another common plumbing issue is a clogged pipe, especially in areas that see a lot of water use, such as in the kitchen or bathrooms. You can easily clean out these pipes by using a snake, but you’ll need to turn the water off before cleaning the pipes to avoid costly damage to your system. If you suspect that a nearby pipe has clogged, you should shut off the water to those pipes and contact a plumber immediately. If your home has a water softening system, you should also let the water sit for a full day before using it again so that harmful minerals can be removed from the water.
Repair leaks
If you’ve noticed a recurring drip from your faucet or water pipes, it’s probably a good idea to contact a plumber. However, if you’ve identified a leaking faucet or a nearby water pipe and you’re not ready to hire a plumber, you can often fix the problem yourself. You may be able to fix a leaking faucet by tightening the connection at the faucet or by replacing the faucet’s rubber washers or gaskets. You can also repair a leaking water pipe by replacing the section of pipe that’s leaking (this involves shutting off the water to the entire section of pipe).
Change out old hardware
If you’ve noticed that your faucets are leaking or your toilet isn’t flushing properly, you may want to consider changing out the old hardware in your plumbing system. Most faucets and toilets are made from inexpensive metal and plastic parts, so they’re prone to leaking and other problems. If your faucets are leaking, you can usually repair them by replacing the rubber washers or gaskets inside the faucet. You can also replace the faucet itself, although this will likely be a more expensive option. You can also repair your toilet by replacing its rubber washers, gaskets, or flushing mechanism. You may also want to consider replacing your home’s water supply and drainage pipes depending on the severity of your plumbing issues.
Watch out for frozen pipes
If you live in a cold climate and notice any of your plumbing pipes are frozen, you should avoid using your plumbing system to avoid permanent damage. If you believe your water pipes are frozen, you should first shut off the main water supply to your home (you can usually find this valve in the main breaker box or fuse box). Once the water is turned off, you can thaw the frozen pipes by running a hose through the opening and out of the house. Next, you can use a propane torch or other heavy-duty heating device to thaw the pipes. If you can’t thaw the pipes with water or heat from a nearby source, you should contact a plumber.
Wrapping up
As you can see, there are a number of common plumbing issues you can tackle yourself with a little bit of know-how and a few tools. However, before you attempt to repair your plumbing issues, you should first check with your local building inspector to make sure you’re doing it correctly. You should also save all of the parts and tools you need to repair your plumbing system, as a replacement part or tool may not be readily available if you don’t have them on hand.When you’re ready to tackle some of your common plumbing issues, you can use this guide to help you get started. Remember, you don’t need to be a professional to repair your own plumbing system. With a little bit of know-how and a few tools, you can tackle your plumbing issues with ease and save yourself some money in the process.