This is a collaborate post with marketingjournal.ca.
It inevitably happens on a long weekend, or holiday. You’re ready to relax and enjoy your free time, and then the unexpected occurs and you’ve got plumbing problems.
While it may not be ideal to spend your weekend repairing leaky drains, and clogged pipes, it is important to take care of the problem right away. Here are some of the most common home plumbing problems, and how to repair them.
Leaking Faucets
You know the sound, that familiar drip, drip, drip in the middle of the night telling you something needs to be done about your faucet. While it may not seem like a big deal, those little drips can add up to a big cost in wasted water.
Usually the cause of the leak is an internal washer inside the faucet that needs to be replaced. This is a common problem, and replacing the washer can often be done with a simple repair, as long as you have the right tools.
Before you begin it is important to turn off the water, and you need to know what kind of faucet you have so you can get the right replacement parts as each one will have slightly different needs and methods.
These faucet types are:
• compression
• cartridge (sleeve)
• ceramic disk
• ball type
Leaky Drains
If you notice a pool of water underneath a sink or tub, it could be a sign of leaky drain. Carefully inspect any visible pipes and see if you can locate the source of the leak. Look especially at the joints, or for any sign of rust or corrosion. This is often the place that leaks occur.
Slow Drains
If your drains are running slowly, it could be a sign of a clog. With a kitchen sink, often the clog is caused by years of grease and food particles going down the drain and getting trapped.
If your bathroom sink, or shower is clogged, often the culprit is hair and soap. Reach in and remove any visible debris or clogs. This can often fix the problem right away. Sometimes a plunger can also clear away a stubborn clog.
If the problem persists, you may need to get some chemical drain cleaner to dissolve the clog. Be sure to follow the directions carefully, and wear gloves and goggles for safety. If you have to use the liquid cleaner on a regular basis, you have a larger problem that will need to be treated by a professional.
Running Toilets
If you notice that your water bill is suddenly much larger than expected, the culprit could be a running toilet. Up to 700 litres of water can be wasted each day because of a running toilet. Usually the problem comes from a faulty flapper valve in the tank, or problems with the float or fill tube.
To fix it, you can get a toilet repair kit that has all the parts and instructions you need to replace and repair the broken parts. Be sure you know how to install it correctly, or it could cause more problems down the line. If you have any questions, ask an emergency plumbing in Vaughan for assistance.
Low Water Pressure
If you notice your water is trickling out of your taps, you may have a problem with low water pressure. The first thing to do is to check the faucets for mineral deposits, and build up. These can be cleaned away by soaking the faucet or shower head in a bit of white vinegar and scrubbing with an old toothbrush.
If that doesn’t help the problem, you may have an issue with a burst or leaking pipe that will need to be addressed by a professional right away like A Alert Drain.
Bad Smell
If you notice bad smells coming from your drains, such as rotten eggs or sulphur, it is usually a sign that sewage gas is leaking into your home. This can be caused by a dry or damaged trap, or vent. It is best to have the problem dealt with by a professional.
Bad smells can also come from clogs in your drain that have started to rot, resulting in a nasty smell. Clearing these with drain cleaner or snaking will take care of the problem.
Many plumbing problems can be fixed at home, but always be prepared for a mess, and have a plumbers number close at hand, in case anything goes wrong.