Simple Plumbing Maintenance and Repair Tips for Every Homeowner

Most plumbing repair jobs and maintenance work on pipes behind the walls and under the floorboards in your home are always best left to professional plumbers, as plumbing is typically more complicated than most homeowners realize. However, there are some simple maintenance and repair jobs that can be handled on your own, with a few tools and some know-how.

Note the following small jobs that can keep your home's plumbing in good repair and working properly:

1. Low water pressure from faucets

Your home's faucets have what is called an aerator over the end of them. This slows down the flow of water so it doesn't gush out of the faucet, but if there is sediment buildup on the aerator, the water flow can become too slow. To clean the aerator, try to loosen this end piece with your fingers. If it doesn't come loose, cover it with masking tape to protect it and then loosen it with pliers until you can completely unscrew it.

Next, dip the aerator in a small bit of vinegar and let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse it off and wipe it with a clean damp cloth. This should remove any sediment so you can screw it back on the faucet and your water pressure should return.

2. Toilet leaks

If your toilet suddenly runs without it being flushed, it may have a leak from the tank into the bowl. Put a few drops of food coloring in the water in the tank and then wait anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Note if the water in the bowl has changed color; if so, there is a leak around the rubber gasket that keeps the valve closed over the pipe that allows water to fill into the bowl. You can easily replace this rubber gasket for a tighter seal.

3. Cleaning the garbage disposal

To prevent clogs, it's good to clean your home's garbage disposal every month or so. To do this, crush some ice with lemon wedges in your blender but don't liquefy the mixture; keep it the consistency of a frozen drink. Then, pour this into your garbage disposal and turn it on while you run cold water. The ice chips and lemon pieces will clean food debris off the blades of the disposal without damaging them. With the water still running, pour some thick liquid dish soap into the disposal and let the water run over that for several minutes. This will rinse away those particles so your disposal is clean and less likely to clog.

For more information or help, try contacting maintenance plumbing services.