Pipe and plumbing issues can be a pain to deal with at home. They can be disruptive to your day-to-day routine and can cause delays in getting work done. You might be experiencing issues with a clogged drain, leaky pipes, rusty or moldy pipelines, or even a running toilet. All these problems do not only cause interferences to your daily activities but also cause spikes in your water bill.
Most of the time, it does not take special skills to troubleshoot common plumbing issues at home. Maybe your repeated experience of dealing with them has made you master fixing them on your own. But the thing, just because you think you fixed it does not necessarily mean that it is actually fixed. You might just stop the immediate and apparent issues of your plumbing system but not the more serious issue.
Aside from the instances where you fail to address the main problems of your pipe and plumbing situation, you might be making other problems too. This does not mean that you should always opt for hiring a plumber though. What you need is to be more careful of your efforts to fix the issues and learn more about them. Different issues require different solutions. This is the same for the materials too.
So, how do you carefully fix common plumbing issues at home without causing more trouble, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Identify the Issue
One of the most obvious solutions to any problem is determining the issue that you are going to deal with. While this may seem easy at first, it is not the case most of the time. When it comes to troubleshooting at home, you might only look at the problem at surface level and solve it right away. Plumbing is much more complicated than that. You have to consider that plumbing involves an entire system that can be intertwined with other parts of your house.
For example, if you experience discoloration in faucet water, you might think that you are only dealing with rusty or dirty pipes. Cleaning your pipes will only be a bandaid solution if your pipes are corroding or damaged. This means that no matter how much you clean them, dirt, rust, and molds will build up around them over time. It is best to observe the problems first so you can solve them with a long-term action.
Examine the Material
The materials in your plumbing system vary most of the time. For instance, pipes are made differently based on quality and thickness. Using certain solutions or products to address leaking and/or clogging problems can do more harm than good to your pipes.
Materials like low-grade PVC pipes might not be able to handle strong solutions. Using these solutions in the said materials can cause your pipes to corrode faster or even dissolve slowly over time. In instances like this, you will see or experience the effects in the onset but it can lead to bigger issues in the long run. This can result in plumbing problems that do not only pose risks to your safety but your health too.
Start With DIY :
For people who are unaware of plumbing solutions, the process of fixing problems can be intimidating. However, you can actually do so much to work on it at home. With items and products you can easily find on your shelves, you can deal with these issues easier and faster. On top of that, this can save you money as you do not need to call for professional help as long as it is not required.
Solutions like a combination of dishwashing soap and hot water are a go-to for many households in dealing with clogged drains. Clogging is mainly caused by substance buildup and all you have to do is break down these substances so water can flow better. An alternative to that is a solution with vinegar and hot water. Similar to dishwashing soap, vinegar is a strong agent that can dissolve different chemicals easily.
Additionally, items such as rods and wire hangers are good substitutes to use in poking and clearing up your pipelines and drainage systems.
Use Plumbing Tools :
On the occasion that your DIY solutions do not work, you can opt for using plumbing tools you can easily buy in local stores or online. This might only be helpful if you are a handyman and knowledgeable about the proper use of different tools. Otherwise, you might cause other issues trying to figure out how to work with the tools that you have.
You can start with the common tools plumbers use such as pipe wrench, faucet key, pliers, sealing threads and tapes, and snake machines. These tools can fix your issues with clogging and leakage. These tools are good investments to make since plumbing problems are common occurrences in any household. There are many factors that contribute to these issues and it is best to be prepared and have these tools ready so you can address them immediately.
Know When To Get Help :
This article is all about knowing how to deal with your plumbing issues at home. The tips above are focused on helping you fix them on your own. However, it is important to know that it is impossible to solve every problem without professional help. At the end of the day, plumbing is an industry of its own. In most cases, people acquire licenses to be able to work on it. This means that it takes proper training and knowledge to fix some issues you might be struggling with at home.
If all attempts to address your plumbing problems at home fail, do not hesitate to call for someone who can guarantee a solution to them. It might cost you more than trying on your own but you will benefit from it better and longer after all.
Key Takeaway :
Plumbing problems are common in every household. It is so common that you might be comfortable and confident fixing them yourself. However, you have to be cautious of the things that you do, especially if there are risks of causing more problems in the future. When all is said and done, preparation is key to successful troubleshooting. So, knowing what to do and how to do things properly should be something you need to prioritize.
Ultimately, even if you have the confidence to fix your plumbing situation at home, only trained professionals can fix the more complicated issues. Letting them do the work if needed will serve you well in the long run.