Calling a plumber isn’t always wallet-friendly. You’d have to pay for the labor, material, call-out fee, and transportation fees—and you’re not even sure if the problem can be fixed ASAP.
To help you save money, we’ve listed the common plumbing issues and how to fix them. That way, there’s no need to rely on a plumber except if the job is a complex one.
Read on to find out how you can tackle certain plumbing problems to save cash!
1) Blocked Drains and Toilets
In using the bathroom every day, a blocked drain or toilet is a very common plumbing issue. With this, the faucet water will back up from the drain and the toilet can’t annoyingly flush.
This problem can be minor or major. You can most often fix the minor one yourself, whereas for the major, for example, recurring clogs, you would have to call in a plumber.
The reason behind a clogged drain is a buildup of hair, soap, debris, or other items. Now, the DIY quick-fix to this is to use a chemical cleaner to dissolve it so the water can go through.
For heavier blockage in the shower or toilet, you can use a plunger. The process uses water suction and pressure to force the stubborn and solid items toward the drain.
Also, don’t forget to remove the shower drain cover before plunging it. Then, run the water to ensure the drain is free-flowing before placing back the cover.
2) Leaking faucets and pipes
The second most common issue is leaking faucets and pipes. They are fairly easy to spot and hear, but they can be a problem if the pipes are hidden from view.
Leaking faucets and pipes drip water ceaselessly, translating to higher water bills. Therefore, the temporary solution to this is to stop your water supply while you go work on the leak.
For the damaged tap washer, try to replace it with a new one. And, for the worn-out leaky pipe, wrenching and sealing up its joint should do the trick.
Note that this DIY tip only works for small leaks. For large leaks, it’s best to call a plumber, because sometimes the problem is hard to pinpoint, and you could also damage your plumbing system and home.
3) Low Water Pressure
Having weak water pressure is a nuisance at a home or apartment. You can’t wash your hands or shower quickly and properly, and not to mention, it delays your cooking schedule.
When you have low water pressure, the thing you should find out first is whether this affects only hot or cold water or both.
If both warm and cold water supplies are poor, then it may have been caused by a leak from your pipe or a sediment buildup in your faucet screen or showerhead.
The solution to this will be to clean the faucet aerators or shower flow restrictors by removing it. Make sure, though, to be careful when washing the small pieces.
4) Water Heater Problems
Is the water not getting hot whenever you’re showering? There might be a problem with your water heater, and this is the biggest indicator of it.
The others are when you discover your water heater tank in the basement or storage room to be leaking and making noises.
To get back your hot water, try adjusting the thermostat or checking the pilot light. You can also troubleshoot it by cleaning the sediment buildup inside the hot water cylinder.
5) Garbage Disposal Issues
Your garbage disposal system in your kitchen may also clog up due to the oily and accumulated food residues. This is another common problem that irritates homeowners.
It’s quite simple to fix this: you simply open up the garbage disposal system and clean the inside. But, if you don’t have the key, you should use a strong wrench like a 1/4 Allen wrench to open it.
However, if you find opening up your garburator inconvenient, a professional plumber can do this for you instead.
