There are so many common household plumbing issues that can be fixed quickly if you know what you’re doing. You don’t need many tools or supplies. However, in order to get it done, you may have to learn a few tricks and hacks.
To help you out, we have prepared a list of important tips to keep in mind.
Stop Sink-Sprayer Hung-Ups
You can use pipe insulation to prevent sprayer snarl-ups on your sink. Simply slip in at least half an inch of foam pipe insulation into the kitchen sink hose and close off the handles. If the foam doesn’t stick, you can use tape to ensure it remains in place. The foam insulation is cheap and can be easily sourced from any local hardware store.
Silence Creaking Pipes
Creaking pipes are also quite common in many homes and that annoying noise can get to your nerves sometimes. You can fix this issue using some adhesive backed felt. The creaking is caused by a simple thing: when hot water runs through the copper pipes they will expand and grind against the joists and the hangers. This releases the creaking noise in the process. Here’s how to fix it:
- Pick up the adhesive felt in your local store.
- Cut the felt into strips.
- Remove each hanger on the pipe, attach the felt, and then put it back.
This will ensure you don’t have to deal with the noise again.
Drain Vacuum
In case there are some hard objects blocking your drains, you can use a shop vacuum to get rid of them. When a hard object like a toy, a toothbrush, or even a comb gets stuck into the toilet, using a plunger to get it out won’t work. The most reasonable way to deal with this is to suck back the hard object, and the shop vacuum will do this quite easily.
Quiet Loud Sinks
Stainless steel sinks sometimes make annoying noises. First of all, you can fix this by filling the space between stainless steel sink basins. The foam will get rid of the vibrations that cause the noise. Although it’s possible to do this when the sink is in place, it’s often advisable to remove it and fix the issue before returning it where it was.
Pipe Orienteering
Locating hidden pipes is not easy but you can use a strong magnet for this. We’re talking about pipes underneath the floor here.
- First, find a rare earth neodymium magnet and attach it to an electric fish tape.
- Feed it into the drains through the cleanout plug.
- Now try to locate the magnet on the pipes underneath the floors. You can use an ordinary compass to do this. The compass often turns wildly when it encounters the magnet. If this happens you can be sure that’s where the pipe is.
Tip:Any rare earth metal magnet will work. It doesn’t need to be neodymium.
Bucket Flush
When you’re handling a plumbing project at home, the water should be turned off. This is the rule of thumb. However, some projects can be long and you may need to use the bathroom during this period. You don’t need to go to your neighbor for this. Simply do your business and use a water bucket to flush.
A 2-gallon water bucket filled to the brim will be ideal. It offers the same amount of water as your normal toilet and it will be just as effective. The only difference here is that it won’t refill the bowl above your toilet.
Plumbing hacks are designed to deliver simple and effective solutions to everyday plumbing issues. Although the simple tricks above will go a long way in making your life easier, you can still find many others online anytime you have a project or plumbing emergency at home.
Have some plumbing problems you need fixed? Get a free quote from a professional today!
