Plumbing Home Remedies

CEBU, Philippines - The bathroom, they say, is a sanctuary. It is among the most essential parts of the household, where all the grooming and hygiene rituals take place. And it is the haven to take refuge in for some “comfort.”

 And due to the bathroom’s functions, clog-ups, especially of the drain and the toilet, happen. It’s a nightmare for everyone, especially when the malfunction happens in the early morning or when everyone is in hurry. The delay such a problem brings is so stressful.

 What’s worse, an unfixed clogged-up toilet produces a foul smell. And the smell soon spreads all around. And worst, the bad smell tends to linger for a long time, even when the problem is already fixed.

Certainly, clog-ups are among the most common plumbing problems at home. It often takes the services of a good plumber to fix, which of course means expense. But the expense may actually be unnecessary. Simple plumbing, like any skill, can be learned by anyone at home.

Following are some simple plumbing techniques that can be learned and done easily, without need of a professional plumber:

Slow-Running or Clogged Toilets and Drains. Hard-to-flush materials are actually the common cause of clog-ups. A clog may be solved with the use of a plunger, boiling water and baking soda, and vinegar. Many people use the same plunger to drain clogs of all sorts, but in fact there are actually two types of plungers: toilet plunger for curve surfaces and sink plunger for flat surfaces. Both plungers have a rubber cap at the end of the handle.

Before using the toilet plunger, there shall be enough water in the plunger to put more force on the clog. Pouring hot water down the drain also melts all the grime and hardened grease and, therefore, eases the draining. Or, if not, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar may be poured into the toilet bowl and then left there for 20 to 30 minutes – or overnight for best results – before flushing it with boiling water. Baking soda and vinegar creates a chemical reaction when mixed together and works best for removing the clog.

There are early indications of a clogged drain to alert house residents before it gets worse: when it takes too long to drain, when it overflows, when it starts to have a foul smell, and when it makes gurgling noise when flushed.

Dripping Faucets. Dripping faucets can cause higher water bills if not fixed on time. The dripping sound can also be a cause for lack of sleep, because it is just so annoying. A dripping faucet can be easily fixed using an adjustable wrench or a screwdriver. These tools are useful in controlling water coming in from the main line. But frequently, leaky faucets need new parts to work properly again.

Low Water Pressure. Taking a hot shower after a stressful day at school or work is a treat to have at night. But when the water pressure is low, it’s not possible to get water up the showerhead or make it sprinkle. Often, cleaning the faucet or showerhead screen can fix the water-pressure problem. An aerator can help filter out debris and prevent splashing; it can save a lot of money on the water bill. Likewise, water leaks shall be fixed quickly. Dripping faucets and toilets are the most common water leaks at home that cause low water pressure. And the only way to keep water pressure in check is to get pressure regulators installed at home.

Runny Toilets. A runny or leaky toilet is another cause of high water bills. It’s important to check the toilet regularly, by properly adjusting the valve and float, cleaning the flapper and flush valve, and if necessary replacing the old fill valve (if the old fill valve does not completely shut off then it’s time to replace it with a new one).

But it still pays to know the real cause of a clog or leak. Sometimes, the most obvious signs of a problem are not the real problem. And applying the wrong solution only worsens the problem. If everything has been done and the problem still persists, it’s the time to call an experienced plumber. (FREEMAN)