You don’t require specialized knowledge to handle some common plumbing problems around your home.
With a few tools and know-how, you can solve costs by opting not to hire a professional plumber. That said, there is no simple plumbing task. Every fix may have a chance of not working. Even plumbers make mistakes, and you should watch out for them. It’s also essential to understand the problem and obtain sufficient knowledge that will help you to perform the task successfully. You also need adequate time, enough materials, and the right tools. Now, let’s examine it plumbing repairs that you can DIY:
Replacing a toilet
Now, it’s important to mention that replacing the toilet is not a walk in the park. Actually, it’s more intricate than it seems. But it is still within the reach of DIYers.
You’ll begin by gathering the required tools and materials. Then, proceed to remove the old wax ring, before cleaning the toilet and removing the residual wax.
New floor bolts will be required, along with flange bolts, and wax rings. After attaching the tank, you’ll install the toilet in place, and finish by placing the tank lid and seat.
Running toilet
A toilet is said to be running if it’s constantly leaking water into the toilet bowl. Therefore, the toilet tank doesn’t fill with water required for a complete flush. The way to fix a running toilet is to replace the internal components. Depending on your toilet model you can purchase a kit with all the necessary replacement parts. For instance, a universal kit that you can get Amazon may contain a toilet flush valve, toilet-to-bowl gasket, toilet flush handle, etc.
In addition to solving your toilet running issue, you may also find that the kits are quite handy for other problems that may arise such as a leaking toilet tank-to-bowl connection or weak flush.
Changing & cleaning the showerhead
Time may come when you realise that your shower head has some blocked pores. You don’t need to call a 24-hour plumber for this repair task, and the internet has a wide range of interventions you could try. For instance, with a small needle you can try to unblock each pore individually.
Another technique is soaking the entire shower head in vinegar baking soda solution. If you’re looking to upgrade the shower head, you may only need to unscrew it from the flange. You can even do this by hand, but you need to be extra careful not to cause excessive stress that may result in any damages. Because the thread tape may be worn out, you may need to apply new tape.
Note that the thread tape needs to be wrapped around clockwise with the last wrap facing to your left.
Caulking shower cubicles, bathtubs, etc.
The overall aim of caulking in the bathroom is to prevent any water from entering into the walls and causing moisture damage. Now, the bathroom may have caulk but it wears out over time. That’s why it’s recommended to replace the caulk every 5 years or whenever you notice any signs of physical damage.
While this is a task you can comfortably handle, it is to get mess up the caulk. You need to purchase a caulk gun and have a practice session before you start.
Be sure to buy the right caulk for plumbing and bathroom applications.
Leaky faucet
A leaky faucet can be a huge pain and brother. It may also waste plenty of water. You don’t have to replace the faucet every time it has a problem with leaks. It’s possible to replace the internal components such as the faucet valve core.
You can find the replacement parts you need online or at your local hardware store. It’s also important to get the right tool to dismantle the tap such as the basin wrench or backnut spanner.
Make sure that you have the right tools to disassemble the internal components and take pictures along the way so that you can have an easier time putting back everything together.
You can weigh the cost benefits of replacing the faucet altogether, and purchase a new unit that will last longer.
Clogged drains
You should have some basic tools that will get you out of a jam with any clogged drain. The first tool to get is the plunger, and take time to learn how to use it from Youtube tutorials.
You may consider a DIY plumbing snake that you can put down your drains to break up any hardened blockages. Professional plumbers and a plumbing business recommend against using drain cleaning chemicals, but you can try other homemade solutions such as hot water, or vinegar +baking soda.
Bottom Line
While DIY approaches can save you money, keep in mind that some tasks require the intervention of a plumber and city permits. There are no two ways about it. For instance, while you can replace a toilet, you cannot install a new toilet as it requires new drain configuration. You should also leave any dangerous tasks to the pros such as finding and fixing gas line leaks.
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