When something goes wrong around the home it is easy to panic and call somebody in to deal with it for you. If something goes wrong with your water system there are some things you could do without calling a plumber. This could save you plenty of money and probably quite a bit of time waiting around for a plumber to come to you. Make sure that you only do what you feel confident doing but there are plenty of small plumbing jobs around the house that can be learnt.

One of the easiest home plumbing jobs is to fix a leaking faucet. If the faucet is dripping it is usually because some of the parts are becoming worn out. The first step is to turn off the water. You can do this by finding the pipes under the sink and turning off the handles that run along it. Then plug the sink and undo the faucet handles with a screwdriver. You will then replace the washer from behind the handle and put everything back together before turning the water back on and checking if it has worked.

Another easy job you can try yourself is to stop a toilet that will not finish flushing. If the tank is not filling with water and still making a noise it could mean that the flapper is stuck. Check around the tank to see if anything is obstructing it and release any problems. If the tank is full but it is still making a noise there could be a number of simple things happening. The most common problem is that the seal is broken. This can be easily replaced.

A drain becoming blocked is a very common problem and one that is easily remedied. The drains normally become blocked by hairs and a build up of soap. Your first step to unblocking the drain is to use a plunger to try and release the debris. It can be helpful to stuff a rag in the overflow while you are doing this to increase the suction.

If plunging the drain has not been enough and it is still blocked you may need to use some chemicals to break through the debris. Unblocking chemicals can be bought from a hardware store. These are very strong so be careful and follow the instructions. They normally work by dissolving the debris so that it flows through the pipes.

There are some old fashioned home made solutions for helping to stop your drain becoming blocked in the future. Every so often you can pour a cup of baking soda down the drain. Follow that with a cup of salt and then a cup of vinegar. Leave it to work for ten minutes and then pour plenty of boiling water down the drain. If you do this regularly it will be enough to work through any minor blockages that pop up.

It is normally very easy to clear a blocked toilet. If you have already flushed and the bowl has not cleared do not flush again as the toilet will keep filling up and overflow. After protecting the area around the toilet and turning off the water, begin by tipping a bucket of hot water down the toilet. If this does not release the clog you will need to use a plunger slowly. Hopefully this will be enough but if not more comprehensive instructions can be found online for how to continue.

It seems a shame to waste time and money calling somebody out to sort out your plumbing. If it is one of these things you could do without calling a plumber, have a go yourself first. You may be surprised by how much you can achieve.

About the author, Toronto Plumber is a specialist in installing and maintaining systems used for drinking water, sewage, and drainage. Supported by SEO Professional service in Toronto.

Author Bio: Toronto Plumber is a specialist in installing and maintaining systems used for drinking water, sewage, and drainage. Supported by SEO Professional service in Toronto.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: plumber, drinking water, sewage, drainage, maintenance