Once in a while, we encounter problems with the plumbing of our homes or buildings, and the first thing that comes to our mind is to call a Chicago Plumber. But at times when calling for their help is not feasible, fixing them on our own can be doable because they are quite easy. Plus, it could help us minimize cost. Here’s a list of common plumbing problems and quick remedies that can be applied to save the situation:
- Running toilets. This problem happens when the water in the tank is continuously running and draining into the toilet bowl, and this could lead to a wastage of a good amount of water within 24 hours. To fix this problem, all you have to do is replace the flapper because it is the defective part. In some cases, you may have to replace all the fittings.
- Poor flushing. Sometimes, fixing a poor flushing toilet is close to impossible. It might as well be better to have the whole toilet replaced. But certain things can be done to try to fix it. The problem here is low water pressure, the float needs adjusting, or the refill valve may be clogged. Try adjusting the height of the float or manually adjusting the refill valve. If this doesn’t solve the problem, it might be that the drain is clogged.
- Clogged toilet or sink. The indicator for clogged toilet or sink is slow or no drainage of water. This can be fixed by first using a plunger to clear the clog. If that does not work, the clog may be somewhere deep in the septic line, so try using a plumbing snake to clear the clog.
- Clogged showerhead. When your shower only has limited water flow or just thin jets of water, your showerhead might be clogged, causing water pressure to be low. To solve this problem, you can use bathroom cleaners (like CLR) to clean your showerhead and remove the accumulated mineral deposits. You can also use vinegar to replace the bathroom cleaner.
- Clogged drains. This may be caused by the accumulation of bodily fats and grease, soap scum, and hair along the drainpipe. Just like a clogged toilet or sink, you could fix clogged drains by trying a plunger to clear the clog. If it does not fix the problem, try using a sink auger to break up the clogs. Using chemical drain cleaners can also be done, provided that they don’t damage the pipes.
- Shower and faucet leaks. A defective shower or faucet part is causing the leak, leading to wastage of water. To stop these leaks, the structure must be watertight. Try replacing the washer of your showerhead and faucet.
- Frozen pipes. This usually happens during the winter season. The water inside the pipe freezes and it expands and exerts pressure enough to rupture most kinds of pipe. In a situation where the pipe is frozen but not yet burst or ruptured, you need to promptly thaw it out. This can be done using hot water or electric heaters. Just make sure the steam produced by the thawing activities could escape the pipe by opening the faucet.
- Burst pipes. This may be the hardest to remedy on your own but there is something that can be done to temporarily fix the problem. Shut off the valve that controls the water flow to the broken pipe, then apply a pipe repair clamp. You can also use patch kits to cover the leaks and damages on your pipe.
The plumbing system is one of the most important systems in any kind of building. If you have a serious plumbing problem and you feel uncomfortable fixing these problems on your own, it’s better to contact a professional plumber to do the job because they have all the equipment, knowledge, and experience to solve these plumbing problems.