If there’s one thing that cause anger, dispute and simply a total freak out in a home it’s the plumbing — the screams from the shower when the hot water goes out, the cries of distress when the kitchen sink backflows and and the repulsion when the toilet begins to behave very badly. You obviously want to avoid these plumbing blunders and be well-equipped to beat them when they rear their ugly head. That’s why we’ve put together this handy list. Home owners rejoice!
Plumbing culprit number one: The clogged toilet
Beware this evil beast. A clogged toilet is a situation that can backfire in the worst way possible! Everyone knows that trying to fit a lot of something through a small space all at once causes a jam. This is pretty much what happens when your toilet is clogged. When it comes to avoiding the problem, abolishing wet ones and plush toilet papers is your best bet. Don’t put anything down there that doesn’t belong there! (You know what we mean) And if your pipes are a little older or your water flow weak, know that this advice goes double fold. Got a clog you need to fix? make sure you use a toilet plunger, not a sink plunger! Don’t know the difference? You’re not alone. A toilet plunger is designed to fit the shape of your typical toilet cavity and has an added flange giving the plumber (or DIY’er) some added strength. But be warned: plunge carefully!
Plumbing culprit number two: The blocked sink
Prevention is always better than cure. Make sure your food scraps are put in the bin and not forced down the sink. Food is the number one culprit of blocked drains. The best fix for a clogged sink is to remove whatever it is that is covering the drain. Possible solutions could be using a coat hanger or a drain auger if the blockage is further down the drain than fingers can reach. If you’re in doubt, call a plumber they may need to use a device like an “electric eel” or “sanny snake” to get to the blockage. Our number one piece of advice? The sink is no place for food scraps or cooking oils.
Plumbing culprit number three: Leaking sink or faucet
This issue requires more expertise than the previous two, that is unless the problem is that your drain needs more sealant. You will have to determine if you have a compression, cartridge, disc-type or ball faucet. Then the malfunctioning parts that are causing the problem need to be removed by a plumber. It’s best to get a pro for this one. Beware a leaking sink or faucet is literally sending your money down the drain so beware!
Plumbing culprit number three: Leaking toilet seal
Doesn’t sound like a big deal right? But if left unchecked this can cause bacteria to escape which can put you and your family’s health at risk. A tightening of the toilet base bolts can ensure the base is secure. However, do this as slowly as possible to ensure that the base does not crack. If this doesn’t stop the leak a plumber will need to be called to replace the toilet’s wax gasket.
Plumbing culprit number four: Leaking toilet tank flush valve
The flush valve on the toilet is the catalyst of the whole machine. If this is broken then you’ll need to arrange for it to be replaced. Unless you have an extra one laying around then you’ll have no choice but to call a pro.