Plumbing 101: When Is The Right Time To Use Household Tools Vs. Calling A Plumber
Living in a comfortable house may be stress-free for most homeowners. You see your house not having any issues not until you see your bathroom floor drain not draining too much water as to how it should be doing. This is a common problem when you did not have the time to check the foundation of your sewers before it is being covered by tiles.
You do not want to be plunging the floor drain or pouring liquid drain cleaner every now and then not knowing that this simple solution may cause a bigger problem in the future. A responsible homeowner should know when is the right time to use some household tools and calling a professional plumber. Let us know some helpful ways.
Dripping Faucets
Dripping faucets may be one of the most annoying problems homeowners encounter in their house. This problem is not just because of the sound of the water drip as you are sleeping but also because of how this problem drives your water bill higher. Even a single faucet dripping can waste hundreds of gallons of water and a large amount of money overnight.
Water entering your home is under pressure that moves through the pipes. When you turn off the tap, rubber-based washers form a water-tight seal that prevents more water from pushing its way through the pipes and out of the faucet. Over time, washers can become stiff or torn allowing a tiny trickle of water through and creating that annoying drip.
You can replace washers yourself but the repair job can be more challenging than you might expect without specialized tools. If the leak has gone on long enough, the valve seat may have become worn, requiring a more involved repair that’s best left to a professional plumber.
Running Toilet
You might be wondering why your toilet keeps on running water even after or not using it. This is another problem that homeowners should give attention to because this may cause a bigger waste of water than when you are consuming it properly.
Toilets run when the flapper valve no longer fits properly. This leads to an imbalanced float or the fill tube comes loose. Toilet repair tools work for most models and require little effort to install. If you’ve replaced the flapper, float apparatus and fill tube, you may be observing proper flushing and filling.
Higher water bills could also indicate a hidden leak. To detect a hidden leak in your toilet, add a few drops of food colouring to the upper tank and wait for 20 minutes. Look in the bowl for any hint of colour and if you see the water being tinted, your flapper valve isn’t working as it should.
Slow Or Clogged Drains
When the water that goes into your sink or toilet won’t go out; you probably have a partial or complete clog. Your plunger can fix the problem in earlier cases. Plungers use air pressure to force out a clog, but they can’t remove it entirely. Drain cleaners and clog removers are safe for most drains for occasional use, but these materials can damage some pipe materials if used too frequently.
If you’re dealing with clogs on a regular basis, it’s time to call a professional plumber. Even if you don’t have a clean clog, unwanted particles in pipes can slow drainage. Use a flashlight into the drain and see if you can spot the problem. Pair of pliers or tweezers may be able to reach a group of hair or fallen bottle cap that’s blocking your pipes. Installing drain screens can prevent debris from falling into the drains.
If you’re looking to have your plumbing problems checked by professionals, call Shaul’s at 778-397-4850 or schedule an appointment with us through our website.
