Plumbing issues in your Montgomery, Alabama, home can cause a major mess and great inconvenience. They’re especially stressful when they occur at night or on the weekend when most professional plumbers are unavailable. However, you don’t always need a plumber to fix plumbing problems in your home. The following are four plumbing projects you can undertake without professional assistance:
Fixing a Leaky Faucet
Leaky faucets are one of the most common types of plumbing problems. While they can potentially cause damage to your property, they usually don’t require a plumber’s expertise. In most cases, you only need a wrench, screwdriver and a new faucet cartridge to repair a leaky faucet.
Before you start unscrewing anything, turn off the water supply and quickly turn the faucet on to release any trapped water. After that, place a trap or bucket in the drain so that you won’t lose any screws. Unscrew the decorative cap at the base of the faucet to gain access to the cartridge. Remember how you remove the cartridge because you’ll have to put in the new one in the exact same manner. Once you’ve inserted the new cartridge, screw the decorative cap back on. Then, turn on the water supply and enjoy your problem-free faucet.
Unclogging a Sink
Removing a clog in a sink is an unpleasant task. But it’s something you can do even if you have no previous plumbing experience. All you need to unclog a sink is a wrench and a bucket. Similar to most other plumbing projects, you have to turn off the water supply first.
Place the bucket beneath the U-bend pipe to catch any debris that may fall out and twist the connector that joins the U-bend and straight pipes. Clogs usually occur in the U-bend pipe, so you should remove this part entirely. Use a pipe cleaner or snake to scrape the inside of the pipe. This will remove food scraps, hair or other materials that are clogging up the pipe. Once you’ve cleared the clog, put the two pipes back together and use hot water to flush out any residue.
Cleaning a Faucet Aerator
The aerator is the part with a small screen located at the opening of a faucet. Over time, dirt, minerals a nd other materials may build up on the screen, which can restrict water flow. You should clean the faucet aerator regularly as part of your plumbing maintenance routine. In order to perform this task, you need to have a pair of pliers, masking tape, a brush and vinegar.
Before you start removing the aerator, apply masking tape to protect the faucet’s finish. Then, use the pliers to unscrew the aerator. Once you’ve removed the screen, soak it in vinegar for about 30 minutes and scrub it with the brush. After that, put the screen back into the aerator, screw the aerator onto the faucet head, and tighten it with the pliers.
Replacing a Shower Head
Installing a new shower head is an inexpensive way to upgrade your home. It won’t put a big strain on your wallet, even if you decide to get a fancier model that comes with a detachable head or different pressure settings. Replacing a shower head is also an extremely easy task that you can do yourself. Besides a new shower head, you also need a wrench, screwdriver and Teflon tape to complete this project.
Start by unscrewing and removing the old shower head. Then, use a cleaning solution to remove any dirt buildup on the exposed pipe. After cleaning the pipe, cover the threads with Teflon tape to prevent leaks. Screw on the new shower head and tighten it with the wrench. Finally, turn on the water to check for leaks. If the shower head is leaking, you have to remove it again and apply more Teflon tape.
While you can do many plumbing projects yourself, you should call a professional plumber whenever you’re unsure of anything. If you’re looking for a reliable plumber in Montgomery, contact Air Conditioning by Luquire at 334-230-5870 to find out about our comprehensive plumbing services.
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