4 Plumbing Repairs Every Homeowner Should Know
It doesn’t matter if you’ve owned your house for a long or a short time or if you’re starting to look for a place right now; there are some plumbing repairs everyone should be able to do on their own. Of course, the more complicated stuff, such as emergency boiler repairs, should be left to professionals. However, there are simple things that anyone can do on their own.
Turn Off the Water in Your Whole House or Just for Your Toilet
You may need to do this for various reasons, so you must know how. It would help if you could find the main water shutoff valve where the water meter is. These are usually on the ground close to the street and have a concrete cover. However, they may also be on the side of the house. If you’re having difficulty figuring out where that is, call the utility company and ask them. After identifying it, use a water meter cutoff key to turn the shutoff valve 90 degrees.
One of the issues you are most likely to have to deal with when it comes to your home’s plumbing is an overflowing toilet. This happens for various reasons, from an overcrowded home to drainpipe troubles. If something like this happens, it is crucial to know where the shutoff valve for the toilet is so that you stop it before it floods the bathroom. Usually, these things can be found on the wall on the side, towards the back of the lower part of the toilet.
Deal With Low Water Pressure
It would help to start by checking the water pressure at a few faucets. If only one of them seems to have this issue, it could be due to mineral deposits. In that case, all you have to do is remove the screen, clean it, and then put it back on. If this issue only happens in the shower, you can take the showerhead, leave it in white vinegar overnight, rinse it, and put it back on.
Re-Caulking a Vanity Sink
When your sink was installed, caulk was likely to have been applied to ensure water didn’t seep. However, as time goes by, the sealant can become damaged, which means it could be time to replace it. To do this, you should start by scraping away the old ones. Make sure not to use a metal knife since that can create scratches on the countertop. Next, you should clean the seam with alcohol, and after the area is dried, start applying the caulk. After using it, dampen your finger and run it along to smooth it out.
Removing a Sink Trap
Since most clogs happen under the basin, removing the sink trap is key to this process. To do so, place a pan under the sink to ensure any falling water won’t end on the floor. Then, look for the trap connecting the pipe from the sink drain and the horizontal line. You don’t have to turn the water off as long as you tell everyone in the house not to use the water while this is happening. Next, you can loosen both nuts on the trap and remove the web by pulling it downwards. If there’s any debris, you can scrape it off, then place the net back on.
These jobs are very easy, so you should know how to care for them. Indeed, you do not need to bring in a professional for every little thing.
