10 Plumbing Fixes that You Can Accomplish without a Plumber
You might prefer hiring a plumber to deal with your plumbing issues, but you do not have to call a plumber for all plumbing fixes. Some plumbing issues do not need professional skills or experience for a solution. All you need is the right equipment for dealing with them.
There are several plumbing repair tasks that you can handle all by yourself. But, you might need some instructions on how to proceed with them. In that case, you might find the ones given below to be quite helpful.
So, let us look at some plumbing repairs you can perform and how to accomplish them.
10 DIY Plumbing Fixes You Can Try Out Right Now
Do you have the necessary equipment for proceeding with plumbing repairs? If yes, then you can proceed with the instructions mentioned below. Otherwise, you might get a faster solution by approaching reliable plumbing services Dubai.
Here are some DIY plumbing fixes that you might want to give a try:
1. Unclogging Your Clogged Toilet
A Clogged toilet is a common problem that you might encounter quite often. And, you can unclog your toilet by yourself using a plunger and rubber gloves. This task is difficult even if you are performing it for the first time. Make sure to wear rubber gloves and proceed with the following steps:
Check the Drainage of the Toilet
Remove the lid of the tank and lift up the flapper, then pour some water through the bowl to check whether your toilet can drain it. You must always take this step before using the plunger to unclog the toilet.
Unclog the Toilet Using the Plunger
Have you used a plunger to unclog your toilet before? If not, then you must make sure to use it the right way. Try to make the first plunge as gentle as possible. This will prevent the water from splashing all over you and let the air out of the seal slowly. You can then make harder plunges after that. And, you might have to plunge over a dozen times to unclog the toilet. Make sure to switch between hard and soft plunges as required. Also, keep enough water in the bowl to cover the plunger.
Unclogging Your Bathtub Drain
Are you yet to try unclogging your bathtub drain by yourself? Then, you might be surprised to know how simple it is. All you would need is a utility knife, a 4-in-1 screwdriver, and needle-nose pliers. Depending on the type of stopper, you need to proceed with one of the following methods:
On a Bathtub With a Levered Stopper
Does your bathtub have a stopper with a lever? Then, clean the crossbars and unscrew them to remove the overflow plate. You must then pull the linkage out for cleaning it and the stopper. Rinse the drain pipes properly to remove the clog and use needle-nose pliers to remove hair. Then, screw the overflow plate back over the drain pipe.
On a Bathtub With a Push/ Lock Stopper
You can release the drain by pushing down the push stopper. Then, you should remove the stopper by unscrewing the cap with your hands. Clean up the clogged drainpipe and screw the push lever cap back once you are done.
On a Bathtub With a Drop Stopper
Drop stoppers are the easiest to remove. All you need to do is unscrew the knob, and then pull out the stopper. Clean the clogged drain pipe properly before fixing the stopper back.
2. Fixing a Leaky Kitchen Faucet
People use various types of faucets in their kitchens. Regardless of the type, you can fix a leaky faucet quite easily. You need an Allen wrench, pliers, a 4-in-1 screwdriver, and slip-joint pliers for that. Also, you must arrange for o-ring seals and a faucet repair kit.
Locate the leak and then turn off the water supply. Make sure to relieve water pressure by turning on the faucet. Then, proceed with the following steps depending on the type of faucet you have:
Cartridge Faucet
Find the cap at the top of the handle and turn it off. Then, you must remove the handle by using the Allen wrench to unscrew it. Keep the handle aside and remove the dome handle with your hand. Then, you must unscrew the metal handle adapter from its position. Keep aside the handler and the pipe under it once you are done.
Next, you need to remove the retainer nut with the pliers. Then, lift the retainer and twist the cartridge to remove it. Fix the new cartridge in its place and reassemble the faucet once you are done.
Ball Faucet
Remove the handle by unscrewing it and keeping it aside. Is there a leak at the handle’s base? If yes, then you simply need to tighten the adjusting ring around it. Otherwise, you need to replace the metal ball if it is damaged. To do that you need to remove the metal cap on it. Then, take out the metal ball and replace it with a new one. Also, replace the rubber springs and rings underneath if required, then reassemble the faucet and continue using it.
Ceramic Disc Faucet
The process for removing the handle is the same in this case as mentioned above. So, remove and keep it aside to remove the metal cap. You need to use the pliers for removing this cap from the faucet. Remove the disc cartridge using the screwdriver and replace the rubber seals if required.
Otherwise, you can simply wash these seals if they are dirty. Then, replace the o-rings of the plastic disc and clean the disc’s holes with vinegar. Assemble your faucet back after cleaning it properly and try it out.
3. Repairing Leaking Threaded Pipe Joints
You might encounter leaks in threaded pipe joints quite often. But, you need not call a plumber every time you face this issue. You can fix it by yourself if you have the equipment required for the task.
Get an adjustable wrench, PVC glue and cleaner, couplings, wire brush, pipe joint compound, and rags before proceeding. Then, rake the following steps to accomplish the task:
Turn the Water Supply Off and Cut the Pipe
Is the water supply running? Then, turn it off and cut the pipes on both sides of the leaking joint. Also, make sure the cuts are at least an inch away or further away from the fitting. You can then easily disconnect the fitting from the pipes.
Clean the Male and Female Fittings
Use your wire brush to clean the male and female fittings after removing the leaking joint. Also, make sure that no debris or old pipe compound remains in it.
Apply the Pipe Joint Compound
Get a pipe fitting compound and apply it to the joint’s male fitting. However, you need not apply this compound to the female fitting.
Connect the Joint to Pipes
You must thread the male fitting into the female one after applying the joint compound. Apply an additional turn after the threading is tight, then you must clean the ends of the PVC pipes and apply PVC glue to them. Connect them using a coupling once you are done, then turn the water back on to check on the leak.
4. Fixing Low Shower Water Pressure
Your shower might provide a low water pressure under various circumstances. And, you can fix this problem in various ways. If you want to clean it, you can do so with a vinegar solution. Here are some steps you can take for fixing the shower water pressure:
Remove the Showerhead and Clean It
You can easily remove the showerhead using your hands. So, disconnect it from the water pipe and keep it aside, then prepare a vinegar solution and dip the shower head in it for eight hours. This should remove the mineral deposits from its pores.
Replace the Showerhead
Buy a new showerhead if the current one keeps providing a low water pressure, then simply remove the older one and attach the new one in its place.
Turn or Replace Single-Handle Volume Control Valve
If your shower has a single-handle volume control valve, make sure it is set to full pressure. If the water pressure is low despite that, you might need to replace this valve. Since it is a costly component, you might want to hire a plumber to replace it.
5. Fixing Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes might be a common plumbing problem depending on where you live. And, you can fix it quite easily without professional help. Here are some simple steps that you must take for doing that:
Leave the Faucet Running
Are you unable to get any water due to a frozen pipe? Then, you must not turn the faucet off. Instead, you should leave it open to speed up the thawing process.
Apply Heat to the Frozen Section
If you can identify the section that is frozen, you must apply heat to it. The best way to do that is by covering the pipe with a heating pad. Also, you must have some patience as the thawing process might take some time. Make sure to remove the heating pad from the pipe once you are done.
6. Replacing the Hoses of Your Washing Machine
Washing machine hoses can usually last for a few years, and you have to replace them after that. You should try performing that task all by yourself if you have ever done that. After all, it is not necessary to call a plumber for it. You need to use pliers and in some cases plumbing tape for this task. Proceed the following way once you have the required tools:
Disconnect the Hose from the Washer and Water Source
Loosen the thread connecting the hose to the water source using your plier. Do the same with the thread between your hose and the washer. You can proceed to install the new hose.
Fix the New Hose to the Washer and Water Source
Tighten the thread connecting the new hose to the washer first. Also, make sure that the connection is tight enough to prevent seepage. Do the same on the other end of the hose.
7. Replacing Your Bathtub Water Spout
Does your bathtub’s water spout need a replacement? You can easily get a replacement. You might need a screwdriver to continue with the replacement process. You need to apply one of the following methods depending on the type of the water spout:
Twist-Off the Water Spout and Replace It
Does your bathtub have a sprout that can be twisted off? You can simply use your hands to detach it. Remove the older spout and fix the new one in its place.
Unscrew the Spout to Replace It
Many bathtubs have the spout attached to them with screws. In such cases, you need to unscrew the spout from the bathtub. Then, screw the new spout in its place to complete the replacement.
Fixing a Clogged Garbage Disposal
The garbage disposal system under your sink might get clogged under various circumstances. And, you can take care of this problem all by yourself in most cases. You might need to arrange for pliers and vinegar or baking soda for this task. Then, take the following steps after turning off and unplugging the disposal system:
Remove the Visible Blockage With Pliers
Can you see the blockage in your garbage disposal system? If yes, then use the pliers to remove the materials. This might sometimes be enough to clear the system. If needed, you must also use a cleaning solution to remove the blockage.
Pour Vinegar Solution or baking Soda Solution
Natural cleaners are usually enough to unclog your garbage disposal system. So, you must create a vinegar or baking soda solution. Then, pour it through the system and wait for at least 20 minutes before checking on the blockage.
8. Applying caulk to the Edges of Sinks or Bathtubs
The caulk around sinks and bathtubs helps you prevent water damage to your walls. And you must reapply the caulk whenever the older layer develops cracks. You must get a tube of caulk if you do not have one. Now, proceed with the following steps:
Remove the Older Layer of caulk
You must always remove the older caulk layer before applying a new one, and you can easily do that using a knife or similar object. Scrape off all the caulk around the bathtub or sink carefully.
Apply New caulk and Let it Dry
Once you have removed the older layer, you can apply a new one right away, and you must wait for a few hours to let it dry. Avoid using the sink or bathtub until the caulk has dried.
Conclusion
Plumbing fixes are not as difficult to perform as you might have thought. The ones we have mentioned here would hopefully resolve your plumbing issue. They can help you save the money that you would have otherwise spent on professional plumbing services. However, you must always know when it is the right time to call a professional plumber.
