Your plumbing system will be one of the most important parts of your whole home, but how much do you really know about it? Even though the water in our home and all the pipes it flows through are so essential to our day to day lives, there are still so few homeowners who actually understand their plumbing system. If something were to go wrong, even the smallest of issues, I doubt that hardly anyone would know where to start with fixing it.
There are a lot of small plumbing and water problems that are quite common and aren’t always that complicated to fix. They are things that every homeowner needs to know how to fix. If you can solve the problems yourself, you won’t have to worry about hiring an expensive plumber to come and sort things out.
Got some water worries at the minute? If its’ one of the following, you should be able to fix things yourself in no time at all.
Solve Discolored Water
Is the water coming out of your faucets slightly discolored? This could be because of regular maintenance that is being carried out by your local water company. It’s worth checking with them if this is the case. Usually, the water will be safe to drink still and will return to its usual color once the work is complete. If that isn’t the case, it could be worth investing in a water flow meter that cleans the water as it comes through the pipes. These can take away the debris and other particles that may be discoloring the water.
Stop That Dripping Faucet
Is a dripping faucet in your bathroom keeping you awake at night? It won’t just be frustrating to have to listen to it constantly dripping, as all of that lost water can sometimes push water bills right up. To fix it, you might just need to replace the internal washer. It might have even got stuck in the wrong position. Readjusting it can help stop any drips. If you take a look on YouTube, you’ll see there are plenty of videos that take you through the steps of replacing a washer.
Fix A Slow-Draining Bath Or Sink
Over time, the drains in sinks can slowly get clogged with food particles, fat, and other kinds of debris. Baths can also end up clogged up with hairs. If you notice that your sink or bath has started to drain out slowly, it’s worth taking a look down the plughole to see if you can dislodge any large things you might be able to see. If not, it’s worth using a plunger to dislodge stuff. If that doesn’t work, mix up some white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. Pour this down the sink and it will dissolve most things that can get stuck down there.
Stop Running Toilets
Your toilet needs to run when you flush it, but it should stop shortly after. If it keeps on running, then you’ve got a problem on your hands. The problem is usually the flapper valve. Thankfully, it’s easy to replace and you’ll be able to find a new one in your nearest hardware store. Sometimes, though, a toilet might run if there is a silent leak. If your water bills have increased while the toilet has been continually running, then it will be a leak to blame. You might have to call a plumber to help you get to the bottom of this.
Improve Low Water Pressure
Is water just trickling out of your faucets? That sounds like it is definitely an issue with the water pressure. This is quite a common issue in older homes. One cause is a leaky pipe, so it’s worth checking for any signs of a leak. Sometimes, it’s because of a build-up of sediment and debris that is blocking the flow of water. If this is the case, then you can simply soak the aerator in vinegar, which will clean it thoroughly. When you notice low water pressure from your shower, it might be necessary to clean the entire shower head. You should be able to take the head off so that you can clean it well and poke through the water holes with a toothbrush or pin to remove any blockages. Once you reattach the showerhead, the water should flow through better and at a higher pressure.
As you can see, these water issues aren’t that difficult to fix yourself. For anything else, you will need to call a plumber.
