Homeowners must deal with all sorts of plumbing problems; some can be difficult to troubleshoot while others are very easily fixed. There are some plumbing issues that occur more commonly than others and it’s important to know how to deal with them before you panic and call a plumber. For some professional guidance, the pros at OnTime Service have prepared some tips on how to deal with common plumbing problems on your own.
1. Slow Draining Tub
If your tub is slowly draining, there is chance that it is clogged with hair, soap scum and all kinds of gross stuff. If the clog is visibly closer to the surface, you can easily use a gloved hand to reach in and remove all the gunk. However, if the clog is a few inches into the drain, you might have to use a drain claw. This device resembles a wire with a hook at the end. All you must do is insert the claw into the drain, go past the drain tap and use a back and forth motion to pull out the clog.
2. Slow Draining Sink
A slow draining sink is another common plumbing problem caused by a clog. You can apply the tips above to unclog your sink or you can try out other methods too. One such effective way to unclog your sink is to use baking soda and vinegar. Pour a cup of baking soda and a cup of distilled white vinegar in your sink drain. Follow that up with half a gallon of water—let the mixture sit for an hour or so. If it doesn’t work, try using a plunger. Fill up the sink with a few inches of water then secure the plunger to drain entrance. A sharp up and down motion will do the trick.
3. A Jammed Garbage Disposal
The garbage disposal is one of the most frequently used kitchen appliances. If it stops working, it’s important you try to troubleshoot it as quickly as possible. One of the best ways to unjam a garbage disposal is to insert an Allen wrench in the hole underneath the disposal. Crank the wrench back and forth until you’re able to rotate it into a full circle. This helps manually rotate the blades and gets your disposal running again. Remember to turn your disposal off at the breaker box before you do this!
4. Leaky Showerhead
A leaky showerhead can be frustrating to deal with—not only is the incessant “drip, drip” annoying, it is also increasing your water bill! This problem is generally easy to troubleshoot. Simply tighten the showerhead to stem and use Teflon tape to properly secure it. To make sure your showerhead is working properly in the future, try to clean it. Soak it in white vinegar for a few hours and use a toothpick to remove any deposits.
5. Leaky Toilet
A leaky toilet is another common plumbing problem that you can fix. Usually, the issue is with the flapper. The flapper is the seal between the toilet tank and bowl. If it is worn out, water continues to flow from the tank into the bowl. To fix this, simply replace the flapper in your toilet.
Deal with Plumbing Problems with OnTime Service!
If you want to learn more about how you can deal with plumbing problems, get in touch with the pros at OnTime Service! Call us today at 205-942-1405 or schedule a service online!
