Simple Fixes That Can Save You Money On A Plumbing Repair
Your plumbing system is obviously an important part of your house, and yet you can sometimes overlook it right up until the moment that something goes wrong. If you are currently in a situation where you think you might need to contact a local plumbing contractor to schedule a repair, take a step back first and assess the situation. In some cases, it might be possible for the average homeowner to attempt a quick fix that could fix the problem and save you from paying a repair bill. Complex issues should of course be left to the professionals, but here are some possible scenarios where you might be able to attempt a quick plumbing fix yourself.
Your Sink or Tub Needs New Caulk
The caulk around your tub or sink plays an important role in keeping water inside the tub or basin when the faucet is running. If you are starting to notice some cracks along the caulk, you could be developing a situation that will eventually lead to a leak. Thankfully, replacing old caulk with new caulk is relatively straight forward. Make sure the faucet is turned off, and then use a putty knife to remove all remaining caulk. After the tub or sink is stripped of all caulk, you can use a caulk gun that you can buy at any home improvement store to put a fresh layer down. Keep in mind that caulk dries quickly, so be sure to move steadily across the entire length of the sink or tub. If you mess up, you can just use the putty knife to scrape it out and then try again.
You Have a Leaky Faucet or Shower Head
If you've never dealt with a leak before, it might seem kind of daunting at first, but anyone who can use a wrench or screwdriver can likely fix the problem. In some cases, all you need to do is turn a few fasteners to replace your showerhead with a new one or to tighten up your faucet enough to stop the leak. Don't use too much force if you don't know what you're doing as you don't want to cause the problem to worsen.
You Have a Clog
If your kitchen sink or another drain is running slow or at a standstill, there's an easy at-home solution you can try that starts in your pantry. Remember those baking soda volcanoes you made in your middle school science class? Well, the science still works in this situation as well. Dump some baking soda down the drain, chase it with vinegar, and then cover the opening so that the reaction takes place below the drain line. With a little luck, your "explosion" will clear and clean the drain.
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