How to Fix Plumbing Problems – In 2019, most Baltimore residents experienced water leakages that led to costly repairs of more than $3 million funded by Government programs. Still, plumbing problems often affect homeowners living in old or new houses.
The draining pipes experience problems, mostly clogging and leakage, and each plumbing issue has a specific solution. You may opt to call a plumber to perform complex plumbing repair that are too complex and sensitive for DIY. Below are some of the problems and how to fix them:
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Leaking and Broken Pipes
Water in supply pipes is normally under high pressure. In pipes burst, water flows forcefully and may even cause leakages behind the walls. You will notice the leak since the walls will become damp.
For a pipe behind walls, cut open the area for easy access. Beware of electrical wires behind those walls too. Save the cut-out section for replacement; if it is soaked, put it to dry. Make two cuts on either part of the leak about 10 inches wide, measure the empty area, and cut a replacement pipe ¼ inch shorter.
You must polish the cut ends with sandpaper and apply flux. Slide a coupling on either cut ends and solder in place, allow the pipes to cool, and turn the water back on. Finally, make sure you replace the part of the wall that you had cut out.
Low /high Water Pressure
This plumbing issue affects either a single or all the fixtures in the house. Low water pressure won’t serve the fixtures adequately, whereas high pressure may damage equipment. Find out if the pressure is in the whole neighborhood or just your house.
If the issue is affecting everyone, call a plumber; if it is only your house, the pipes and valves may have something that is restricting the flows. The steel pipes may be too old; thus, clogged with lime deposits that cause a blockage. To fix it, hire a skilled expert to do re-piping.
When a single fixture is experiencing low pressure, rinse the faucets mesh screen thoroughly to remove residue, soak the aerator for a while in an equal proportion solution of water and vinegar. Hot water pressure may be insufficient. Here, flush the tanks of the residue that blocks the pressure and valves. For pressure affecting every fixture in the house, check the main valve, install a booster, or repair leaks causing this issue.
Sewer Line Challenges
Extreme temperatures, tree roots, corroding, and clogging are some issues facing sewer lines. An inflatable tube covered in epoxy is inserted into the sewer for minimal damages. It is then inflated up against the line, and the epoxy cures and hardens it repairing the leak. When the damage is extreme, a professional plumber will excavate and replace the sewer line.
Clogged Drains
Kitchen sinks, bathtubs, toilets, and floor drains experience clogs with time. Foreign objects like soap scum, grease, food oils, fats, hair, tissues, paper towels, dirt, toothpaste, minerals, makeup debris, cotton balls, and baby wipes should not go down the drain due to clogging.
Usually, a plunger is the first solution for clogged drains. Fill up the sink with water, cover the overflow holes, then perform the plunging. If it does not work, unscrew the coupling to remove the sink trap, empty the water from the trap, remove the horizontal trap that leads to the wall, and insert the cable until you feel the clog. Tighten the lock screw and turn the handle clockwise, pushing forward at the same time repeatedly until you break through the blockage. Turn the crank anticlockwise and pull back. When clear, fill the sink with hot water and plunge it.
To clear the toilet drain, hold the tool shaft and crank down the handle until you feel the cable snake. Performs this repeatedly to dispense the entire cable, retrieve the cable by simultaneously cranking and pulling up. Flush the toilet to clear out the drain pipe. You may repeat the procedure severally if the flow is still slow.
Floor drains in laundry rooms, garages, and bathrooms over time collect deposits. An electric power auger of at least 50 feet cable clears off this blockage. First, remove the strainer covering the hole, loosen the brass plugs inside the drain basin to bypass, and feed the cable directly down the pipe. Plug in the auger, feed several feet of cable down the pipe, set the motor to a clockwise rotation, and step on the switch. When you feel resistance, reverse the rotation and pull out a little. Do this repeatedly until the clog is cleared out. Finally, pour hot water down the drain, and wrap Teflon tape around the threads to ease unscrewing of the plug next time.
Plumbing maintenance preserves the house value; hence, it is essential to conduct regular maintenance and repairs. A house with good plumbing is also free of mold, considering the health risks involved. Therefore, always find a permanent solution to a plumbing issue by calling a professional to perform plumbing repairs.
