Drip, drip, drip. Whether it’s during the day or in the middle of you sleeping at night, hearing that constant drip can drive you crazy.
It may be your first instinct to call a professional to get rid of the pesky noise (or any other plumbing issue that may arise). But, if you’re handy around the house, you can generally tackle the small repairs we often get calls about — i.e., dripping faucet, clogged toilet, or a broken showerhead.
Below are a few common home plumbing issues that you can fix before calling a technician.
Do-It-Yourself Plumbing Repair Tips
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Before tackling ANY repair, remember to turn off your main water valve.
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Don’t dress in your best attire. Even if you’re careful, plumbing repair is a messy task.
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Take any replacement parts to the store with you so someone can help you get the right one!
Common Plumbing Repair Jobs
Clogged Bathroom Sink
Baking soda and vinegar may be just what a clogged sink needs. Pour some baking soda down the drain, and follow it with white vinegar. As the combination bubbles, it releases whatever is causing the clog. Follow this by pouring hot water down the drain. If this doesn’t solve the problem, break out the small sink plunger and give that a try.
In cases where the clog is not helped by either of these solutions, you may want to call a professional to assess the situation.
Toilet Won’t Stop Running
A running toilet can be a source of frustration, but many times it is easily fixed. If the running toilet has been going on for an extended period, you are likely tired of jiggling the handle, replace the insides with a toilet repair kit. These are super easy to install and in many cases that’s all that is needed to stop the running toilet.
If the toilet still runs after replacing the insides, there may be a larger issue at work here. It’s a good idea to have it assessed so that you aren’t surprised by high water bills.
Poor Water Pressure
Low water pressure doesn’t always mean a big issue. Sometimes the problem is sediment that has built up in the aerator. If your water pressure isn’t what it used to be or what you hoped for, remove the aerator and soak it in vinegar for several hours. If you can’t remove the aerator, just fill a plastic bag with vinegar and attach it to the shower head, or other faucets. Leave the bag on overnight.
Toilet Leaking at the Bottom
If you notice a small amount of water on the floor around the toilet, it could mean that the wax ring needs replacing. If you feel comfortable draining the toilet, and removing it to get to the wax ring, you can do this yourself. However, it is a messy job and one that requires precision. If you’re in doubt about your ability to do this, you may want to call in a professional.
If you feel comfortable attempting the above fixes they are definitely doable by most homeowners. For those who don’t feel comfortable, or are unsure about what they are doing, hiring a professional might be the best option for you. Also, keep in mind that it’s always best to turn off the water to the house before you attempt any plumbing fixes on your own.
Reliable Plumbers for Your Home or Business
If you come across a plumbing issue in your home or business and its more than you can handle on your own, contact our technicians at Aqua PHC!
Our qualified and experienced plumbers in Skokie offer residential plumbing services and repairs for a wide range of plumbing issues, such as low water pressure, hot water heaters, clogs, toilet leaks, septic problems, and more. Emergency service is available 24 hours a day for urgent plumbing problems.
Call Aqua Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling today !
