5 DIY Emergency Plumbing Hacks Every Homeowner Should Know

5 DIY Emergency Plumbing Hacks Every Homeowner Should Know

Some plumbing situations call for the involvement of a plumber, more so if you have no plumbing experience. Although you may not want to try fixing things like a slab leak, bathtub installation or re-piping among things, there are lots of emergency plumbing fixes that you can do even if you have a little knowhow.

1. Unclogging a Toilet Before calling a plumber and paying them, you should try unclogging your toilet by yourself. In most cases, all you need to unclog a toilet is to pour hot water on it. This works if the reason for the blockage was human waste or toilet paper.

Steps

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Turn off toilet water flow either through removing the valve found on the toilet tank and then disconnecting the valve chain or via the valve located at the back of the toilet.

Fill a jug or a cup with boiling water Have the water poured down the toilet In case it does work, add a little soap to the hot water Unclog using a plunger.

In case the above steps don’t work, call your plumber right away. There are chances that the issue requires drain pipes to clear.

2. Leaking Pipes under the Sink Follow the steps below to fix leaky pipes beneath the sink

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Turn off the water flow Place a container or a bucket below the pipe connection to collect the water Loosen the thread on the pipe using a monkey wrench and then disconnect them Put a plumber’s tape in a clockwise direction around the thread Reconnect the pipes

You can buy a plumbers’ tape from local hardware stores but it’s always advisable to have it in your emergency plumbing kit together with vinegar and baking soda.

3. Unclogging a Sink Drain This is one of the most common plumbing problems. Fortunately, it’s also easy to fix.

Steps

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Take a cup of baking powder and pour it down the drain To the baking soda, add a half cup of vinegar Wait for 5 minutes and then pour one cup of boiling water down the drain Unclog with a plunger and check if it is now clear Repeat the process if it is not fully unblocked

Baking soda and vinegar react to help loosen any food and debris causing the clog. Call a plumber if the drain still blocks after trying this hack.

4. Fixing Low Pressure of Water In The Shower One of the causes of low water pressure is a buildup of scale, and it’s not something to cause you sleepless nights.

Steps

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Remove the showerhead Remove the spray plate as well Have the plate soaked in a de-scaling solution Reassemble the showerhead

5. Smelly or Rust-Colored Water Problem Smelly or rust-colored water is often caused by an accumulation of minerals in the water.

Sometimes, it is caused by a degraded anode rod.

Steps

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Switch off the water heater power Drain the heater to get rid of all the mineral deposits Have a garden hose attached to the bottom valve of your water heater Turn on the valve to release the water Next, drain the water Identify the anode rod’s hexagonal head Loosen the rod using a half-inch drive impact wrench and an air compressor Remove the remaining by hand First rub the Teflon pipe thread sealant on the thread before replacing the anode rod.

Reassemble Just like your car, your home plumbing requires regular maintenance. Ignoring problems for too long can lead to problems at the most awkward hours. The above are some of the plumbing emergencies that you can fix at home without having to pay for them. In case the problem isn’t fixed even after trying, it’s best to call in a professional plumber.

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