Top 10 Plumbing Problems and How to Solve Them


On occasion, you will have to deal with minor plumbing issues in your home. Some of the tasks are trivial enough for you to do them yourself without the help of a plumbing expert. Below are some of the do-it-yourself plumbing tips for the top 10 plumbing problems you will experience.

  1. Dripping Faucet
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The drip, drip, sound is one of the most irritating sounds in the world. To fix this problem, you need to replace the faucet’s washer. To do this, start off by setting aside the tap handle. This will reveal the tap valve, unscrew it and it will reveal a washer. Replace the washer and then reassemble the tap.

  1. Clogged Drain
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A clogged drain is usually a result of cooking grease and oil blocking the system. To unclog a drain, pour boiling water down the drain. Follow this up by pouring a teaspoon of baking soda into the drain. Now add a teaspoon of vinegar. Cover with a drain plug for 5 minutes to keep the reaction contained. Flush the drain one more time with boiling water.

  1. Leaking Pipe
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An average household in the U.S wastes an approximate of 10,000 gallons on water as a result of leaking pipes. To seal a leaking pipe, identify the area of the leak, clean it, and apply sealing tape that extends beyond the area of the leak. A leak could also be as a result of a loose joint. In this case, identify the leak and using a wrench to tighten the bolt.

  1. Clogged Toilet

A clogged toilet is the most common toilet problem. To fix a clogged toilet, you need  to use a plunger to get the drainage flowing again. A more permanent solution is to make sure you flush nothing else other than toilet paper down the toilet. Polythene bags are a no-go zone.

  1. Running Toilet
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A running toilet makes a humming sound after it has been flushed. This indicates a problem with a fixture. The fixture, in this case, is a faulty floater bulb. Jiggle the handle to firm the entire assembly.

  1. No Hot Water
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Don’t have hot water running from your tap? Before you call in a plumber to deal with your problem, check out one of the following options.  Foremost, ensure that the water heater is big enough to meet your home’s needs. Secondly, ensure that the temperature of the water heater is set high enough. Lastly, ensure that the pilot light of your gas water heater is on.

  1. Caulking Bathtub
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This is the easiest DIY job. To seal a cracking bathtub, use caulk that is designed for tubs and showers. Read the label to confirm that you have the right caulking product. You will need to purchase a caulk gun to execute this job.

  1. Fix Water Softener
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The most common problem with water softeners is the brine tank running out of salt. Pour rock salt or evaporated salt into the tank until it is 2/3 full. This salt takes away calcium and magnesium from the hard water. If the issue is excess salt in the tank, break the salt dome and clear the tank.

  1. Replace A Shut Off Valve
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This is a straightforward job. Shut off the supply of water to the pipe. Using a pair of pliers, turn this valve anticlockwise. Replace this valve together with its seal and turn it clockwise. Turn the main supply on and check out the working of the new valve.

  1. Replacing Kitchen Sink Sprayer
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If you have a kitchen sink sprayer hose that has a tear, only replace the hose and attach it to the sprayer nozzle. For this, you will need to have plumbing thread.


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