DIY Plumbing Repair - Down the Drain

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Ray Breitenbach asked:

One common plumbing problem that often occurs at the most inconvenient of times is a clogged drain. Many home owners are tempted to reach for a bottle of their favorite drain cleaner - they are easy to use, supposed to be quick, and you don’t have to get your hands dirty. The problem with quick fixes - as with many things in life - is that the quick fix may not be the best.

Most drain cleaners these days will not damage your plumbing when properly used. The key is to make sure that you use them properly. If your home has a septic system, make sure that any cleaner specifies it is safe for use in septic systems. Different types of drain clog removers may target different types of problems and have different instructions, make sure you follow them to get the maximum effectiveness.

Sometimes a liquid cleaner will not be enough to take care of the problem. A number of years ago we received a lesson in what not to put down your food disposal - cantaloupe rinds. The disposal had no problem grinding them up, but a few feet down the drain they re-assembled into am impassable clog.

The first attempt was the faithful old plunger. A plunger works on the concept of hydraulic pressure (simply put, you cannot compress a liquid) to move the blockage. The problem with this approach in a kitchen or bathroom sink is that the drain may not be the only outlet - there are often multiple drains and/or overflow connections which make a plunger useless in these cases

The next step was to try and remove the sink trap. Once you get to this phase, you need to make sure you have a bucket and a few towels handy. If you had previously attempted to clear the clog using a chemical drain cleaner you need to be careful here as there may still be residue in the sink, pipes, or trap. Before removing the trap, make sure to drain as much of the sink water as you can.

Place the bucket under the trap and loosen the connection to the portion of the pipe leading down from the sink to the trap. By opening the down facing segment of the pipe first you should be able to confine the draining water to the bucket - if you remove the horizontal portion first you are likely to make quite a mess as the water drains in that direction. If the remainder of the water drains from the sink, you know your clog if further down the line. If the water does not drain, then you need to check the segment between the trap and the sink for obstruction. Usually a screwdriver or length of bent clothes hanger is sufficient to check and clear any blockages found.

Next check to see if there are any obstructions in the removed trap. Either take it to another sink and see if water flows through it unobstructed or use a length of clothes hanger to probe for (and remove) any blockage. If you found something blocking the trap, you should be all set. Re-install the trap and run the water. If you found no obstruction, it is time to search further.

So the sink and the trap are clear, what next?

This is where you may need tools that you might not have handy but it is definitely a job for the correct tool. Don’t try to explore the pipe with anything that might potentially be dropped, break, or otherwise become lodged in your plumbing - the idea is to correct the problem, not cause bigger problems. The correct tool for the job at this time is usually a plumbers auger (also called a snake). This is a long, flexible, spring like contraption that is “snaked” down into the pipe. You can purchase a small, basic plumbers snake at any home superstore or plumbing supply store and they are fairly inexpensive (another example of a tool that pays for itself the first time you can use it instead of calling a plumber).

Push the auger into the pipe until you encounter a blockage. If you are using a manual auger, you may need to twist it (they usually have set screw and handle to help) to get around turns in the pipe. Once it reaches the clog, you twist it to “auger into” the blocking substance. If you have a fibrous clog, you will pull the auger back along with a portion of the clog - repeating as many times as necessary to remove it. For softer clogs (like grease) you may just force the auger through the clog and rely on water pressure later to help continue to remove the loosened clog.

If you are unsure that you have cleared the clog completely and you want to check before you re-assemble everything use a hose to run some water down the pipe. Run the water SLOWLY - you don’t want to find out the hard way that the clog is still there. Keep your bucket underneath the pipe while testing. If it is cleared, re-assemble your sink/trap and run your water for a while - make sure that your drain is working normally - if it is slow, you may still have a partial blockage.

One other potential solution is the “as seen on tv” water blaster variety of drain cleaners. These gadgets are usually very inexpensive and typically consist of a small rubber nozzle with a hose fitting on one end. The concept is simple, you stick the nozzle into the drain, hook it up to a hose, and turn on the water. The water pressure first makes the nozzle swell to fill the drain or pipe opening and seal/hold it in place. Then the nozzle forces water into the pipe hopefully clearing the block by building up pressure behind it. If you listen, you will hear the clog clear and water flow rapidly down the pipes.

A couple problems to be aware of with these systems: If you have PVC drain fittings (as many sinks do), you better make sure you connections are good - if there are any minor leaks or loose fittings you are likely to end up with a sprinkler system under your sink. From personal experience there is one other problem you may run into. When you turn off the hose, the pressure that previously swelled the nozzle to hold it in place is gone - however there is still water and pressure in both the line and the nozzle. The results similar to shaking up a soda bottle and removing the cap - it makes a great funny story to tell you friends in hindsight, but it’s not quite so funny when you are mopping up the kitchen.

Finally, if none of the above have worked, it is time to call in the professionals. As I have noted in previous articles, a good contractor is worth every penny they charge you. Most will not only help you out with your problem but will also suggest how you can prevent it in the future and if necessary point out problems that need to be addressed

Leaky Toilet Repair

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S. Hupp asked:

A common issue is uncovered when you stand up and realize that your feet are wet. Water seeping out on your floor from the base of the toilet bowl is indicative of several potential problems. While it could indicate that the porcelain has been compromised, it’s not generally likely that this could happen without you being aware. Some thing would have to hit the toilet very hard for this to have happened.

Generally, this leak is the result of a compromised wax ring. If a toilet is loosely bolted to the floor, it will rock ever so little while a person sits on the toilet. Over a duration, this gentle rocking motion can cause the wax ring to work loose. Don’t worry, this is something you can definitely fix.

Turn off the supply of water to the toilet and then flush it one more time once more. This should deplete both the bowl and the tank. Disconnect the water supply and then loosen the bolts that hold the toilet to the floor. Once it is loose, simply pull straight up on the toilet and lift it off of the drain pipe where it had been. The old wax ring should be left behind on the floor. Get a a scraper tool and remove the wax.

We’re being hopeful you were thinking ahead and picked up a new ring prior to you pulling up the toilet. A brand new wax ring shouldn’t set you back more than $3.00. Put the new ring in place and then replace the toilet back into place. Push downward onto the toilet with some authority to make sure that the new wax ring is completely seated, and then bolt the toilet back down to the floor, make sure that it is firm enough to keep the toilet from rocking. Be careful though, as you could crack the porcelain if you over tighten the bolts.

After you have figured out the basic operating principles of your toilet, it definitely is fairly easy and inexpensive to maintain. We have dealt with one of the more common issues here, and you could definitely fix most problems related with toilets at the same time for under than $15.00. However keep in mind that you are working with a toilet, and you’ll most probably want to wear gloves while you relocate the toilet bowl from its flange on the floor.

What Is DIY Plumbing Repair

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Will Robins asked:

Do it yourself plumbing. Many of us have run into a problem with our plumbing. If this is the case, you should know some basics about plumbing, before that nasty old problem surfaces. Have you ever gone to turn off the water by the toilet when it is over flowing and broke the water shut off valve? If you have, you know that these things wear out after a while, especially in older homes.

Performing DIY plumbing requires that you know what plumber’s tape is, what a pipe wrench is and looks like and of course, knowing how to replace the pipes and fittings in case you need some new materials. Older pipefitting and pipes may not always match today’s plumbing materials.

What DIY Plumbing Entails

When you have a plumbing repair project and you need to fix the problem quickly, think about the problem and what you need to correct it before jumping into the job. Some things to remember about plumbing repair are, first, access the problem. Where is the problem coming from and how will you go about gaining access to the area. Find the area and then see what materials you will need to correct the problem before to much damage occurs.

Now that you know where the problem is, you can turn off the water, and then disconnect the faulty part of the plumbing. In most cases, it is the pipe or the fitting. As you disassemble the piping and fitting, check each piece to ensure no other pieces will become damaged soon. I always, replace everything, because the cost is not bad at all.

Once you buy the materials, you can then start putting your plumbing back together. Do not forget the plumbers tape for the fittings. This assures a tight fit with no leakage. DIY plumbing will benefit your home if you have a leakage problem, but also will save you money on calling a plumber to fix the problem.

What most of us think is a big project

turns out to be a relatively small project with just a little money and some hard work. You will find that fixing the problem is not as hard as you thought it would be. Therefore, access the problem, disassemble the area, then gather your materials, and fix your own plumbing problem. It does not get any easier than that.

Plumbing Repair - Get Help With Your Plumbing Problem

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Bryan Burbank asked:

When you own a house there are things that can go wrong and learning how to fix or replace things can save you a lot of money and give you a feeling of satisfaction. Plumbing can be one of those things that always seem to come up and even if it is as small as a leaky faucet you need to have some knowledge on how to fix it.

There are many ways you can go about getting information on how to remedy common plumbing problems and it is a good idea for you to take a few “how to” classes at your local home store. This can give you great knowledge and know how before you tackle and new projects. It can be expensive if you try to fix something and you are not sure what you are doing and you make a mistake.

At some point you may be looking to replace a tub with a new shower enclosure to maybe new bathroom fixtures and this is going to take some time for you to learn how to do such a remodel. Remember that it is not hard to fix or replace anything related to plumbing but you need to make sure you have a good idea of how things work first.

Another things you can do is to have a friend or family member who is knowledgeable with plumbing show you how to fix or replace something. This will be to your advantage because you are getting hands on experience form someone that knows what they are doing.

Remember that when it comes to doing things yourself fix it repair you need to gain some knowledge. There is nothing that you can not do when it comes to plumbing but you need to know the right way to do it so that you do not have any issues and in some cases this can cost you a lot of money.

Faucet Repair Saves Water and Saves Money - Fix Your Leaking Faucets and Stop Wasting Money Today!

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Matt Gallo asked:

When you have a leaking faucet, you need to get it fixed. That dripping noise is more than just an annoyance: it’s the sound of money running down the drain! If you have a broken, dripping, or leaking faucet, it’s important to get it fixed immediately to reduce waste (in water and money), so be sure to call your local plumber ASAP.

You’ll be amazed at how much water you’re wasting: A leaking faucet can waste between 34 and 2,000 gallons a year, depending on the severity of the drip. That’s a lot of water and a lot of money! The good news is that faucet repair is relatively inexpensive and easy when you call a plumber. They’ll be able to get your damaged faucet in great working order in no time at all, so do something good for your planet and your wallet by getting it fixed!

Keep in mind, plumbing repair is a job for the pros. Even though a faucet may seem like a relatively simple fixture, it’s full of tricky valves and seals, making the repairs more complicated than they may look. We recommend calling master plumbers to tackle your leaking faucet. They have years of experience in all aspects of plumbing, enabling them to the problem with your faucet and fix it without creating secondary leaks or even breaking the fixture (all common DIY problems).

Because of frequent use the threads and washers inside faucets do eventually wear out, but they can easily be replaced by a professional. For more serious issues, it may need to be replaced. For qualified plumbers, new faucet installation is a breeze, so no matter what the problem, they’re sure to get your kitchen or bathroom in working order fast!

Remember, leaky bathtub faucets tend to waste more water when they drip, so be sure to have these drips fixed immediately. Also, check external spigots regularly, as outdoor leaks often go unnoticed until they cause a major problem–like water in your basement!

Do it Yourself Plumbing Repair - Just Where to Find Help

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Yamini Chowdhury asked:

You may run as much as you like, but it’s hard to avoid the gush of plumbing problems from flooding your life with sorrow and despair. So is doing your plumbing yourself your only glimmer of hope amid this impending doom? Well, guess what? It sure is your only succor when all your entreaties go unanswered.

And the best part is that these practical plumbing tips not only help you lift the specters of these niggling problems, but also ensure that you are dripping with advice after the insightful experience.

Plumbing With Panache

A nuanced understanding of clearing chocked pipes and changing tap washers is sure to hold you in good stead. Timely repairs ensure that you prevent a colossal drain on not only your precious resources, but also on your bank balance. Now that is sure to gladden many hearts. But at the end of it all, there’s nothing like the sense of achievement that inundates your after a job well done.

No More Unintelligible Jargons

The slew of guides and manuals that deal with every conceivable plumbing problem in and around your house are like a Godsend for harried homeowners. The simple, step-by-step instructions, along with detailed illustrations, guide you through these mundane yet monstrous problems.

Crafted in language that is easy to assimilate, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the lack of unintelligible cryptic terminology that one normally associates with these ‘user-friendly’ guides.

In-depth yet incisive, these guides don’t leave anything to imagination. Whether tips on understanding your home’s plumbing system or the local plumbing codes, list of tools and safety equipment required before undertaking any project or even preparing for all kinds of repairs, you are hard-wired for success.

So who’s kvetching about faucet repairs, leaky tanks and frozen pipes? Plumbing professionals are crying foul.

Trenchless Sewer Repair - Plumbers Repair Sewer Lines and Pipes All Year Long

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Connie Ragen Green asked:

Trenchless sewer repair may be something you need, but if your home is in a part of the country where the weather is bad for half of the year, there may not be much you can do about it until spring arrives. On the other hand, if your Los Angeles area home is in need of a new sewer system, this may be the right time of year to get the work completed. Unlike most of the country, with freezing temperatures and several more months of unpredictable weather, here in the greater Los Angeles area plumbers are able to work outdoors throughout the year.

Plumbers will come and take a look at your home or commercial building to see if you are in need of any type of plumbing repair. Many times there is a blockage, caused by grease buildup or a foreign object that is restricting the flow of your sewer line. Other times the culprit is corrosion that causes deterioration, resulting in collapses in the line that restrict flow. Los Angeles is a city with the average home being more than forty years old, so the plumbing system may be in dire need of repair at any given time. If you live elsewhere, you may have to wait until well into spring before you can have this type of work done.

Other reasons for your sewer lines to not be operating at their maximum level are leaking joints, root infiltration, or off-grade pipes. Let professional plumbers take a look, using their high tech video equipment and other state of the art plumbing methods.

Leaking joints occur when the seals between the pipes have broken, allowing water to escape into the area surrounding the pipe. In Los Angeles, there are small, almost undetectable earthquakes on a daily basis, so one of these tremors may cause a sewer pipe to begin to leak.

In the older properties located closer to the heart of Los Angeles, the original sewer lines and piping may have been off-grade, meaning that the existing pipes are composed of sub-standard materials that have corroded or deteriorated over time.

Root infiltration, also known as root intrusion, has been a major problem in Los Angeles for more than forty years. This is due to the various plants and trees that were brought to Los Angeles over the years that are not native to this area. The roots from these shrubs and trees, in search of more water than is available in Los Angeles, slowly invade the sewer lines, preventing normal cleaning and damaging the sewer lines.

Plumbing Repair is No Pipe Dream, But Water Leaks Can’t Be Ignored

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Daniel P Elliott asked:

Most homeowners never give the plumbing a second thought until a loss of pressure or worse happens. Leaks can be very cheap to repair or very costly depending on where the leak occurs. If a leak does occur after the shut off valves from under the sinks or toilet it should only take a few dollars to fix. The homeowner can get into trouble with a costly and destructive leak if it happens to be inside a wall, foundation, or within the underground pipes.

100% of the time, newer home construction should never have any type of leak. As time passes, normal wear and tear, harsh chemical pipe cleaner, and debris can take a toll on pipes whether they are the older cast iron pipe, copper pipe, PVC pipe and so on. Some homes actually have clay piping that may need to be serviced and/or replaced, but this type of pipe is usually used for waste water. Most regions have different building codes from one another regarding the depth a pipe is buried, the type of pipe material, and even how pipes are fitted together.

Many times when a home was constructed, the site inspection may not have been performed with the proper attention to detail. Some pipe may not be buried to building codes and could be damaged from heavy weight from above. In many northern climates and older construction, where clay pipes have been traditionally used, lack of adhering to building codes may not even be a factor. What poses problems for clay pipes is time.

Clay pipes have a tendency over time to become more brittle with age. Compounded with cold or even freezing temperatures, clay or terra cotta pipes can fracture. Another common problem of clay sewer pipes is as the pipes may expand or contract with extreme temperature changes, the joints will wear out. Again it’s not a question of if they will fail, but when they will fail. Eventually the joints will degrade. When this occurs, it is quite common for roots from bushes or trees to infiltrate the joints and continue growing further into the pipe. In moderate to extreme cases, roots can even grow through a solid section of clay sewer pipe.

There are several ways to handle this specific type of problem. Most solutions require specialized tools or industrial equipment. Some methods can be very costly and involve replacing the old sewer pipes by digging trenches . There are some newer alternatives that are quite a bit less inexpensive, but not every plumbing company is equipped to handle this exact problem.

If there is a problem being experienced with a home’s plumbing, it can be very time consuming and frustrating for the homeowner to figure out the cause. A little detective work can save hundreds of dollars though. If the problem isn’t readily apparent, a professional plumbing repair company is usually the wisest course of action

Home Faucet Repair Construction Plumbing

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Mark Plumber Bush asked:

When it comes to taking care of your home, there is nothing more annoying than a dripping faucet. Not only can it keep you up all night, but it is additionally a waste of vital assets: water and money. A leaky faucet can boost your water bill in very quickly

Consistent maintenance plus inspections of faucets is necessary in residential plumbing and construction plumbing to keep your faucets working well. Utilizing preventative maintenance and inspections you can prevent having to phone a plumber to fix a faucet that is leaking.

Residential plumbing needs maintenance and inspections very often to prevent major malfunctions. If your home has low water pressure or just a simple leak or two, you can do the repairs and maintenance yourself. The two most ordinary problems with a faulty faucet is loose nuts or a worn out washer.

Many plumbing problems are simple and easy to fix, such as fixing a leaking handle by tightening up loose connections.. Take off any decorative coverings on the handle, and find the nut at the bottom of the handle. Tighten the nut a bit, but do not over tighten. Then check to see if the issue has been fixed by turning the water on. If it hasn’t, tighten the nut a little at a time until the leak is repaired.

Another common source of a leaky faucet is a tatty washer. Check out the manufacturers documentation first, as some newer faucets are washerless, such as the Moen one handle faucets. Should this be your case, you can buy a simple repair kit at any hardware store. Otherwise, you can change out the washer yourself. All you need is a common wrench, a package of washers from the hardware store, and a screwdriver.

Repairing a shower or tub faucet may need a little extra effort since the valves are usually located behind walls. Check for an entrance door to the plumbing. If you can’t locate a access door, you may have to create one yourself, or, if you are not comfortable creating one, you should call a professional plumber.

1. Turn the water supply off, which should be located underneath the sink (or behind an access door if in a tub or shower).

2. Inspect to see if to turn the water off by turning the faucet to the on position.

3. Impede off the drain by using a cloth to stop things from falling down the drain by putting a towel over it.

4. Take off any decorative handle in order to get the nut.

5. Use electrical or masking tape to pad the wrench in order to prevent scratching the faucet.

6. Loosen the packing nut within the handle with the wrench. Turn it counter clockwise.

7. Twist the handle until you can remove the valve unit.

8. Take out the screw at the bottom of the valve. Find the washer.

9. Match the old washer with one from the package of new washers you bought. Be certain they are precisely the same size. If there is a different washer for hot and cold, make certain to use the washer designated for hot or cold water properly.

10. Install the new washer(s), replace the valve, turn the handle back to its correct position, and then tighten the nut(s).

11. Check for leaks by turning the water valves under the sink back to the on position and turning on the faucet.

If you still have major problems or leaks in the plumbing, it is be best to hire a professional plumber for faucet repair.

Faucet repair is not hard with the appropriate tools and replacement parts. Preventative maintenance in addition to inspections should help you deter problems. Dripping and leaky faucets ought to be repaired right away to avert costly water costs and wasting of water resources.

A Good Plumbing Repair Service Can Save Your Skin

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Nick Messe asked:

It’s been a great weekend. You’ve visited with friends and family, had a great dinner at your favorite restaurant, and even played a couple rounds of golf. But now it’s back to the office. You swing open the door and punch in your security code but then you realize that things are not normal. There’s a different smell and the air seems a little damp. Then you notice the water in the hall and the wet stain on the front office carpet.

Your day has just become a lot less pleasant. As a small business owner you wear a lot of hats and it looks like today you’ll be reaching for your plumbing cap.

Leaks can come from so many sources, so you know that this is going to take time to locate and rectify. At least, in this case, there is actual evidence that can be tracked. A hidden leak can drip on and on for a long time, silently adding money to your water bill.

Hidden leaks are also notorious for damaging interior walls, ceilings, and sub-flooring. Sometimes they only become visible when the tear down stage of a renovation project is started.

This one could be a toilet problem. You recall that the toilet tank in the ladies washroom developed a crack last year. Even though it was only a hairline crack, over the course of a holiday shut-down, you arrived to find quite a large amount of water making its way across the tiled floor and out onto the carpet.

Luckily the carpet was saved with a shop vac, and the toilet tank was replaced professionally by a reputable plumbing repair company. A fairly simple job to be sure, but it was taken care of promptly and efficiently, letting you and your staff continue with their regular duties.

Upon further investigation of both the washrooms, you see that all is secure in those areas. As you follow the water trail to the small staff kitchen and eating area, you find the source.

Water is dripping quickly from beneath the cabinet doors under the sink. It’s really difficult to see where exactly where it’s coming from, but you’ve narrowed it down. You grab your flashlight for a quick inconclusive look.

It’s time to call in the professionals. But first, you locate the main water valve and turn it off. The mop, bucket, and shop vac will be in action soon, but first things first.

You head for your office, swing into your chair in front of your computer and call up your list of online contacts. Like magic, the information you require unfolds in front of your eyes.

You enter your request for service into the appropriate spot, confident that in a matter of minutes you will receive confirmation that an Atlanta plumber will be on their way with the best Cobb County plumbing repair service for your emergency.

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