If you don’t have much experience with home improvement, we understand that dealing with plumbing problems can be daunting. However, knowing a bit about basic plumbing is a good life skill that can help you in a pinch.
While you should call a professional to make sure your plumbing issue is properly taken care of, it’s important to know some quick fixes you can do in the interim. In this article, we give you a few tips on how to handle some of the most common plumbing problems,
Fixing A Slow Drain
If it takes a while for the water to go down in your kitchen or bathroom sink, you probably have a clogged drain. Debris from food, soap, or hair can accumulate in the drain and form blockages.
To unclog your drain, you can first try using baking soda, a common household item that’s good for deep cleaning. You need ½ cup of baking soda, ½ cup of white vinegar, and a pot of boiled water. Pour the baking soda into your drain, followed by the vinegar. You should hear the mixture fizz as the baking soda reacts with the vinegar. When the fizzy sound dies down, try clearing the mixture with the boiled water.
If this method doesn’t work, you may have a more stubborn blockage on your hands. You can try unclogging your drain with a plunger, or a drain cleaner. Make sure not to mix in other chemicals when you use a drain cleaner. If your drain remains clogged after trying these alternatives, it’s time to call a professional plumber.
Stopping A Running Toilet
If you don’t fix it immediately, a running toilet causes your water bill to spike. The most common cause of a running toilet is a faulty flapper valve. The flapper is the rubber piece that sits at the bottom of your toilet tank, stopping the water from flowing down to the toilet bowl.
The first thing to check is that the chain connected to the flapper isn’t slacking and wedging itself beneath the valve, allowing water to escape. If this is the case however, you can easily trim the chain. If this doesn’t fix the problem, the issue may lie with the flapper itself. The rubber flap can get worn down over time, and you can easily replace it with an inexpensive universal flap.
Fixing A Leaky Pipe
Even if it seems minor, a leaky pipe can cause significant water damage to your walls, floors and furniture. To fix leaky pipes in a jiffy, you can try wrapping the leak with plumber’s tape or covering it with epoxy compound. However, these are only temporary solutions until you can call a plumber to have a look.
It’s important not to delay getting a proper fix on leaky pipes as they can cause dampness overtime. Dampness can then lead to mold and encourage bugs to make their home in yours.
If you’re in immediate need of a plumber, get in touch with us anytime. Our experienced team of plumbers are available 24/7 to answer any calls from Nassau, Suffolk, Queens and Brooklyn.