Calling a professional is necessary for some plumbing problems, but sometimes even homeowners can deal with many of the common problems.
If you want to exercise those DIY muscles and save some money, here are five plumbing problems that most people can tackle with relative ease.
5 Common Plumbing Problems with Easy DIY Fixes
➊ Clearing a Main Line Blockage
While this problem may sound daunting, it is not that difficult. You’ll be able to diagnose this problem if you notice water rising in your sink or tub after you flush the toilet.
To fix this issue, you must find and open the cleanout sewer pipe. Then you must engage in chemical or mechanical drain cleaning.
You can find more guidance on these techniques at https://amarcoplumbing.com/clear-main-line-blockage/.
➋ Repairing a Leaky Faucet
Leaky faucets aren’t just annoying plumbing problems. They also cost a significant amount of money over time.
Your first step in this process is to turn off the water supply to the faucet. Then, you must carefully disassemble the faucet while keeping an eye out for parts that are no longer working.
If you find any, you must replace them and then reassemble your faucet, while tightening everything properly.
➌ Fixing Low Water Pressure
Correcting low water pressure is not always an easy fix. However, there are a few things to check first before you reach out to a professional.
- If you store stuff below the sink, it is possible that when moving an item, it could have bumped into the shutoff valve. Therefore, you must first ensure that this valve is in the “on” position.
- If that doesn’t do the trick, then take the faucet apart to see if there are any blockages or other issues.
If neither of these tactics yields any result, then the odds are that you have a more severe problem on your hands. In this case, it’s best to call a professional plumber before proceeding any further.
➍ Clearing a Jammed Garbage Disposal
Jammed garbage disposals are a common problem that does not often involve tons of effort to correct. If you decide to tackle this project yourself, the first and most important thing you need to do is turn off the power. If the disposal were to turn on while you were working on it, then it could cause you serious harm.
For most models, you can use an Allen wrench to remove the blades from the bottom and remove them. After that, check for any issues, remove any debris, and put the device back together. If this process does not solve the problem, then you may need to enlist the help of a pro.
➎ Unclogging a Toilet
A clogged toilet is probably the most common household plumbing problem. Therefore, it is prudent always to keep a plunger nearby so that you can take care of this simple issue yourself:
- Consider running the plunger under warm water before using it to soften it up. This process will help to make a stronger seal.
- Next, insert the plunger into the bowl and ensure that it completely covers and seals the hole.
- After that, you will need to push down, then pull up quickly to dislodge the clog. Be sure to be patient as it may take many attempts to complete the job.
Still Need Help?
If you don’t feel comfortable performing these tasks, or you’re still having trouble, then you should call the pros before you make the situation worse. However, it’s essential to realize that you can save yourself a sizable amount of money if you take on some of these challenges yourself first.
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