When there is an issue at your home or business it can be expensive and take time to get the plumbing problem fixed. If you decide to call a Guelph plumber to fix the plumbing issue it will likely end up costing hundreds of dollars to fix. Sometimes the smarter move is to fix the problem yourself.
In many cases it is not a good idea to try to fix a big plumbing problem, but there are some things that you can handle if you have the tools and knowledge. Here are some basic plumbing solutions for common household problems.
Clogged Drain
If you can prevent a clogged drain from occuring in the first place then this is your best option. This can be done by putting hair catchers in your bathtub or shower and being careful what you throw into your sink garbage disposal. However, if you are already at the point where the drain is clogged then you have some options to try to unclog it.
A drain cleaner may be effective in taking care of a clog is some cases, but the results are often temporary as it does not remove the bulk of the substances clogging the drain. The best option is to use a sink plunger or using a cable auger to snake the drain and clear it that way.
Replacing your shower head
This is a relatively simple task that can be useful if you are upgrading to a low-flow showerhead to save money or if your current shower head is not functioning correctly. To remove the old showerhead just take a wrench and tightly grab the notch of your current showerhead then twist it left until it loosens. Don’t squeeze too hard or you might cause some damage.
Once loose you can finish unscrewing the showerhead with your hands. You’ll want to make sure to get rid of leftover materials afterwards. This can include dirt, rubber gaskets, or plumber’s tape.
Once all of this have been cleaned you can now install your new shower head. Wrap some teflon tape around the threads of the pipe and smoothen it out and then gently twist your new shower head on, ensuring you aren’t twisting it too tight. After you have tightened it enough try it out and ensure it is functioning properly.
Fixing a Leaky Faucet
This is one of the easier plumbing tasks to complete yourself. Figure out what type of faucet you have by looking at the different types online and then you can find the out the specific instructions on taking it apart. In most cases you should watch a video on taking it apart, and then figure out the source of the issue. You may just have to replace a single part of the sink for a few dollars.
There are more plumbing tasks you can do yourself if you are confident in yourself, but these are some common ones that you should consider, you’ll just need the tools. Save yourself hundreds of dollars next time you have a basic plumbing issue and do it yourself!