If you have a home, then you have already become a handyman. Owning a house comes with its unavoidable repairs-sometimes the repairs are unlimited. And many of these repairs are not severe enough to call in a professional plumber. Thanks to many online articles such as this blog post, you can manage minor repairs on your own, turning into a genuine handyman. Frisco plumbers will also provide you with plumbing services that are high-quality and affordable. Like any other task, though, being a handyman comes with tricks or secrets that you must know.
Mend a clogged drain without taking it apart.
A clogged drain is a disappointing usual household plumbing problem, and many clogged drains are not severe enough to demand a professional plumber. However, it can force you beneath the sink in the middle of late-night with a wrench and a rag, which is never an agreeable situation. Before resorting to taking apart your sink or reaching out to an expert plumber, try some tricks to remove the clogs in your backed-up drain.
You can try plunging your sink first. It does not mean getting the toilet plunger and sticking it in your sink. You may employ a sink plunger that is different from a toilet plunger. A toilet plunger has an elongated part that goes in the dome shape, designed to extend down the basin of the toilet. Yet, a sink plunger does not have an extension or protrusion and cuts off at the end of the dome shape.
Utilize the cleanout plug to enter your sink pipes.
If a sink plunger does not work, check for a cleanout plug on the primary pipe. It is the opening that you can unfasten using a wrench. This way, it makes you access the pipes without taking them apart. Once you access it, you can use a brush or something similar to scrub the inside of the pipe and remove the blockage. This step is best to do before pouring any drain cleaners down your drain, as they can be spewed out of the opening if you are not alert. Ready a bucket for any water that may have been in the pipe for quite some time.
Use dish detergent to plunge your toilet.
If you have problems with your toilet drain and do not have a toilet plunger at home, or if the toilet plumber is not working, detergent can be beneficial. A cup of detergent is enough; pour it down the drain and let it sit for at least 10 minutes or more. In the meantime, get a bucket of hot water. After sitting the dish detergent, pour the hot water into the drain. It will help plunge your toilet.
Repair a leaky faucet.
A dripping faucet can drive you nuts while you try to fall asleep, not to cite the increasing water bill. Fortunately, there is often an easy repair. Typically, all you need to do is change a faulty washer, stem, or O-ring.
To be able to know the problem, turn the water off at both ends, then remove the knob handle using a flathead screwdriver. You may loosen packing nuts using a wrench that allows you to see the stem. If it does not look broken, remove it and find the O-ring and faulty washer. Perhaps, one of these three is likely broken and the main culprit of the leak.
Avoid hammering your thumb.
Homeowners who have experienced hammering a thumb understand the feeling of accidentally missing the nail and hammer yourself instead. Rather than bear this unavoidable result, use a comb or needle-nose pliers to hold the nail in place and hammer them, not worrying about whether or not you will feel your thumbnail tomorrow.
Repair cracked cement.
If left ignored, cracks in your sidewalk or driveway will worsen. But luckily, they are not hard to fix. First, clean the crack of any debris or leaves- you can use a knife to remove them and a garden hose to finalize it- then use crack filler until it is rife with the rest of the surface. If the crack is still seeable, wait for a day and apply another coat.
Fix a running toilet.
Like a dripping faucet, a running toilet is a nuisance and a waste of money. The often culprit of this nuisance is the flapper valve that is easy to repair. You can find the flapper valve when you remove the tank lid. It sits at the base of the tank that opens and closes, letting water go out. Sometimes the chain hooked to this may be snapped free or damaged. You can correct this by reattaching or replacing the chain. If the chain is connected but there is space, you may adjust the length. Reconnect the flapper to the different locations in the bar.
If you find these plumbing secrets difficult to do, call Lex’s Plumbing right away. We have professional plumbers who have undergone training; they are skilled and equipped for any plumbing problem. Give us a call now.
