(208) 466-3707There are a number of plumbing repairs that you can do on your own. If you want to fix your plumbing or you’re wondering “What do plumbers fix?” here’s what you need to know.
Find Pesky Leaks
Small leaks can cause major problems in your home! You can find them by paying attention to your system. If you hear water running or your meter ticks when nothing is on, you have a leak. You can usually find these by looking under sinks, around tubs and showers, or by listening to your toilet.
Stop Leaks in Pipe Joints
Many leaks occur where pipes join. If you have one of these, start by turning off your water. This is true for most plumbing repairs! You can stop leaks by adding plumbing tape to any connections and by sealing them with a sealant, as well. Complex leaks may need the help of a professional plumber.
Unclog Your Drains
You can always try plunger or chemicals to unclog your drains, but all you really may need is a screwdriver and a set of tweezers. Many clogs are made up of hair and other stringy substances. Use the screwdriver to remove the drop stopper. Then, use the screwdriver to find the crossbars, located a few inches down the drain. Pry up any stuck hair, pulling it out as you go. Use the tweezers to get any leftover hairs out of the drain.
Fix Your Running Toilet
Depending on the make, model, and age of your toilet, you’ll need to use different techniques to stop any leaks. However, most toilets are straightforward. If you can take off the lid and look inside, you will likely be able to see what the problem is. Replace the broken parts and your toilet should stop running soon.
Remove a Toilet Clog
Nearly all toilet clogs can be removed with a plunger, if you know how to use one. Make sure the plunger forms a seal with the drain, or it won’t be able to fix your plumbing. Start out by plunging slowly, because there will be air in your plunger that could cause spraying water if you plunge too hard. Then, plunge with force at least 15-20 times. Test the flush again. If it’s still not working, don’t give up until you have plunged for at least 5 minutes.
Repair a Leaky Faucet
You can get a generic faucet repair kit at any hardware store. This has most of the parts you might need to fix your faucet. Disassemble the faucet until you get to a part that doesn’t look like the one in your new kit. Replace the parts, or take broken parts to the hardware store to find replacements if they aren’t in your kit. Reassemble your faucet and it should be working again.
If you don’t want to perform your own plumbing repair, contact us at Dillon Plumbing. We’ll get your plumbing fixes in place fast!