Don’t underestimate the need for a plumber until the issue has already reigned havoc on your home. All serious plumbing issues need to be left in the hands of professionals who will swiftly and securely handle the problem at hand. Minor plumbing issues may be possible to resolve without calling a professional in, depending on the severity of the issue. Here are a few instances when you can fix a plumbing issue on your own.
Clogged Toilet
A clog in the toilet is probably one of the most common household plumbing issues that arise. Why does a toilet become clogged? The most common culprit is when things are flushed down the toilet that shouldn’t have been and that results in it backing up. Additionally, copious amounts of toilet paper flushed down the toilet at one time can also result in a clog. A clogged toilet is often a simple fix and requires a plunger to carry out the task.
Clogged Drains
Clogged drains are yet another very common plumbing issue that households experience. Drains near your sink, shower, or bathtub can easily clog from hair or other residue. If the issue is minor, a chemical or DIY drain cleaner may be enough to tackle the clog. Many people have found that boiling water, baking soda and salt, or baking soda and vinegar are efficient home methods for clearing up a clog. A commercial drain cleaner can also help. However, if you notice that more than one drain is clogged at the same time, it’s better to opt for a professional to take a look at it since the issue may be far deeper than the single drain.
Leaky or Drippy Pipes
If you notice your pipes dripping one drop at a time, then you may be dealing with loose screws. Sometimes it’s as easy as tightening a valve or screw and won’t require a plumber to drive out to your estate to solve. We’re not talking about broken or exploded pipes that are flooding your house without control. These call for immediate attention from a specialist. Most plumbing companies like Fluenta Plumbing value every minute of a plumbing emergency and reach you as soon as possible before the situation gets out of hand.
Garbage Disposal Havoc
A faulty garbage disposal may be the culprit behind the clogged sink you have. Take a look at the garbage disposal to ensure that nothing is stuck in it or blocking the path down the drain. As a rule of thumb, you shouldn’t be flushing anything besides food remnants down the garbage disposal to avoid this issue.
Things to Keep in Mind
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when facing a plumbing issue:
-
Make sure that turning off the main water valve is the first thing you should do once you notice a plumbing issue. It doesn’t matter if you have already called the plumber or are attempting to resolve the issue yourself. If the water supply is still flowing you may face the risk of flooding in your house that can be avoided. Turning off the water heater is also something you should do if you have access to it.
-
There are only a handful of instances when you shouldn’t call a plumber for a plumbing issue. If you can’t figure out a simple fix for the solution right away, then that means the problem is something out of your capacity to handle. Call a plumber over before your house takes any additional damage.
-
Prevention is better than recovery. This is true for home plumbing as well. If you don’t want to face a clogged toilet, then avoid flushing products down the toilet that weren’t intended to be flushed. You’ll avoid even the most common plumbing issues by being conscious of certain habits that result in plumbing issues.
-
Have a plumbing emergency toolkit handy. You can’t face even the most simple plumbing issues on your own if you don’t have a few necessary tools at your disposal. This includes a plunger for opening up toilets and drains and duct tape to temporarily cover a leaky pipe until you find a permanent fix. A bucket and towels are also a good thing to have on hand. If you can get your hands on plumber’s tape, that is a great addition to your toolkit.
