Common Plumbing Problems and How to Fix Them at Home

Did you already check plumbing on your home maintenance checklist?

 

If you have minor plumbing problems in your home, you can try to fix the problems yourself. Not only can it spare you from utility costs, but it may even help you a lot in the making of a knowledgeable homeowner, and how proper home maintenance should be done.

 The following are some common plumbing problems that you can handle yourself and how to fix them:

Clogged Drain: 

When your drain is clogged, the first thing that you should do is try plunging it. It’s a process where you link a long rod into the drainpipe and try to push the clog down. Try using the plunger a few times before looking for other alternatives.

Assistance: If the plunger doesn’t work, then you should call a plumber at Madden Plumbing and ask for more assistance. If you’ve tried all the methods without success, it’s time to look for professional help.

Garbage Disposal

Finding yourself getting stuck in a greasy situation? Garbage disposals tend to clog up because of grease or oily gunk build-up, or also because your garbage disposal’s grinding blades have worn out. 

Assistance: To clear a clog from your disposal, first, try your hand at plunging it. Use a plunger to plunge the disposal by aligning the plunger flush with the sink drain cover, then press down firmly on top of the sink’s drain cover while you plunge to loosen any clang or obstruction in the drain pipe. 

Moreover, if this doesn’t work you can try using a two-pronged fork to dislodge the blockage in your garbage disposal or use your hands to get rid of whatever is stuck in the disposal (your hand should fit comfortably).

Reminder: Be careful especially in dealing with the grinding blades. Use protective gloves especially in dealing with the accumulated gunk in your sink.

Slow or no water flow

The water flow in your home is controlled by several factors. When you call a plumber to fix this problem, the first thing he will need to do is to shut the main valve to your house in order to effectively isolate it from the rest of the plumbing system. Then he will need to locate where the problem is within the pipes or faucets themselves and repair it.

Besides, the problem could be as simple as a clogged toilet, faucet, or drain, or worse, the matter can be escalated to be as serious as a collapsed pipe from a tree root or a burst pipe that didn’t survive the freezing points of winter.

Assistance: The best way to avoid this issue is to maintain your home’s plumbing regularly by flushing out your drains a minimum of once per month. Plumbing problems can be caused by anything from tree roots in the pipes to debris in the pipes, but regardless of what caused it, you should always keep on top of maintenance so you don’t end up with this issue.

Frozen Pipes

Plumbing experts explain that you should never let your pipes freeze. By taking a few precautions against freezing pipes, you can prevent costly damages. When temperatures dip below freezing outside, 

Assistance: Protect your pipes by wrapping them with insulation or heat tape. These materials can be available in your nearest home depot or hardware store.

Clogged Water Heater

For most, cold showers have gotten to be a woke discovery and are said to cause beneficial effects on human health and mood in general such as increasing immune system, mental focus, and physical ability overall. Although to some who may find cold showers to be unbearable in most situations, a water heater is a lifesaver. Calcium and mineral deposits from the hot water can cause to clog your pipe or prevent your water heater from working. What will you do if your shower pal doesn’t function properly?

Assistance: A popular home remedy to this plumbing problem in the bathroom is to soak the shower head or parts of the water heater with vinegar or apple cider vinegar. The acid content of the vinegar can be enough to break the mineral deposits and help you wash them out. These are a few helpful steps:

Step 1

Turn off your main power to avoid grounded lines that may cause electrocution accidents. We don’t want that to happen.

Step 2

Turn off the water valve as well. This is to prevent the possibility of water damage especially when things could possibly go south on your chosen DIY project.

Step 3

Drain the hot water from your water heater tank. Locate the spigot, a valve that you may find at the bottom of the tank. Drain the excess water but make sure the water has proper drainage otherwise, getting flooded with scalding hot water is the least we wanna deal with.

Step 4

Go and check for the anode rod which is found on the top of a hot water heater. You may need a wrench to remove the recessed bolt on it. While different water heaters have specific instructions. Double checking with your user manual regarding the anode rod may help. 

Step 5

Place a funnel at the opening left by the anode rod. Pour three to four gallons of apple cider vinegar or household vinegar available in your household. Pour it into your hot water heater.

Step 6

Reinstall the anode rod. Fill the tank with hot water and let the vinegar sit for 24 hours in the tank.

Step 7

The next day, completely drain the water from the tank along with all of the mineral build-up. You may use a pressurized water hose to clear any build-ups in your water heater. They should come off easily this time.

Step 8

Get your electricity and water running again by turning on the main source. Secure that your water heater has been cleaned and closed properly. Get the water running from the water heater, wait a couple of minutes til it heats up, and test if it improved.

How important is knowing proper home maintenance and plumbing?

Meanwhile, may it be an unanticipated expense or an emergency situation, plumbing issues always seem to occur at the most inconvenient time. Whether you’re dealing with frozen pipes, clogged drains, or a toilet overflowing with water, being knowledgeable enough to mediate or manage the situation from getting expensive damages is an important skill that a responsible and wise homeowner can possess. 

Lastly, knowing the basics of taking care of your household plumbing can give you so much edge in life that this would even help you not get ripped off by anyone you may call in the future to fix your plumbing woes.