Common Plumbing Problems That You Can Fix yourself

Got a home plumbing problem? Fortunately, the vast majority of plumbing problems you can fix yourself pretty easily, instead of calling a plumber and making him your new best friend. Often, all it takes to finish the job is a rudimentary toolkit and the will to learn.

Some common problems found with plumbing include:

- Running toilet
- Backed-up toilets
- Noisy pipes
- Flooding

RUNNING TOILET
One of the most frequent is the running toilet. Usually this problem can be fixed simply by replacing a faulty flapper or ball assembly, though some cases will require you to clean mineral deposits from the tank itself. Vinegar, boiling water and baking soda usually does the trick.

BACKED-UP TOILETS
“You ever go to a big party, go in the bathroom, flush the toilet and the water starts coming up? This is the most frightening moment in the life of a human being. You’ll do anything to stop this. You’ll lose your mind and start talking to the toilet. ‘No please, don’t do this to me!’ ” Jerry Seinfeld

The only thing worse than clogging a toilet is clogging someone else’s toilet. Here’s a quick tip, if you flush once and the water rises dangerously high, DO NOT flush again! Instead, you should quickly remove the tank lid and push the tank ball down to close the flush valve. When water overflows the bowl there is a blockage somewhere in the toilet or drain line. If the bathroom sink does not back up, then the blockage is in the toilet or very close to it. If the sink (or some other bathroom drain) is backing up, then the clog is farther along in the drain line. If drains elsewhere in the house are backing up, then the problem is likely to be somewhere in the sewer line. The best thing to do in that case is to call a qualified plumbing professional.

Plumbers will tell you that most toilet blockages are caused by plastic items, sanitary products and toys. If the obstruction may be the result of an object dropped into the toilet, such as a toy or a washcloth, then it is best to try and retrieve it rather than force it farther along. Other clogs resulting from normal flushed waste may be cleared with the use of a plunger or closet auger.

Try first to use a plunger to dislodge anything that may be trapped in the toilet bowl drain. If the bowl is full, put on some gloves and bail out water until the bowl is only half full. If the bowl is empty, add water to fill it to half full. In order to avoid the possibility of splash back, drape a large towel over the bowl and under the toilet seat. Place the plunger in the bowl and completely cover the drain opening. With the plunger completely under water, press and pull it rapidly for 15-20 seconds. If you see something stuck in the drain opening, you can use a stiff wire to drag it back into the bowl. If you dislodge the item, pour a gallon or so of water into the bowl before you flush. The water should drain to its normal level and stay there.

Major clogs however will probably require a closet auger. They are specially designed for toilets, so that when you place the padded section at the bottom of the bowl and you shove the handle down with a strong fast motion, a piece of coiled metal will snake its way 4-5 feet into your toilet drain. Cranking the handle around should clear away most clogs. If the water seems to be properly draining, go ahead and try flushing the toilet.

NOISY PIPES
From banging to hammering to high-pitched squeaking, your water pipes can produce a symphony of sounds making you feel like you’re living in a submarine. The trick to solving this problem is to identify the specific sounds, and to know from which glen the pipes, the pipes are calling.

Banging - Pipes are usually/hopefully anchored with metal or plastic straps every 6 to 8 feet for horizontal runs, or 8 to 10 feet for vertical. Banging pipes usually means loose pipes. All it takes to fix this problem is adding more straps to anchor the pipe. Cushion the pipes from the straps with a rubber blanket.

Squeaking - Only your hot water pipes will squeak. The sound occurs when the pipe expands in its strap causing friction. The problem is the opposite of a banging pipe but the solution is the same: a rubber cushion between the pipe and the strap.

Water Hammer - Have you ever turned off a faucet or an appliance quickly causing the water to “hammer” against the pipes? This abrupt stoppage can occur when your air chambers, lengths of pipe which use air to cushion the shock when flowing water is shut off, fill with water and are no longer useful. Turn off the water at the main shutoff valve. Open all your faucets to drain the entire system. Close the faucets and turn on the water again. This should refill your chambers with air.

FLOODING
Many things including, seepage from cracked pipes, a corroded water heater, or an overflowing faucet or toilet can cause flooding. Whatever the cause, take immediate steps to shut off the water. If necessary, contact a plumbing professional to identify and repair the problem. If there is standing water that needs pumping out, you'll need a sump pump to extract the water, or you can have the plumber do it. In flooding situations, be especially alert to the possibility of danger from electrical wiring. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. Never step in standing water if there is any contact with electrical outlets or wiring.

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