Though in some cases a professional is required, and it\’s best not to tackle the most challenging plumbing issues without sufficient knowledge and experience, there are some DIY plumbing techniques that you can use yourself.
Struggling with a dripping tap or a blocked drain? Basic plumbing skills and tools will help you handle everyday problems without the need to call in a professional.
Plumbing can be intimidating, especially for newer homeowners who might be afraid to tinker with parts and pipes, but there are steps you can take to save water at home and prevent costly long-term repairs.
Here are five tips to help keep the pipes in your home flowing freely with preventative measures and fixes that can reduce your plumbing costs.
Keep Your Drains Clean
Never wash left-over food, fat, grease or oil down the kitchen drain. It does terrible damage to your pipes and you are likely to end up with a blocked drain.
There are simple precautions you can take, however, to prevent dangerous materials from going down your drains and damaging your pipes. Using strainers in your sink and bathtub drains to keep food, grease, hair and soap out of your pipes can help avoid expensive clogs.
Remove Blockages Without Chemicals
Over time, hair and soap may build up in your bathroom drains, which can cause them to clog up and drain slowly, if not completely block up, but you might be able to clear it yourself without calling in a plumber.
Be wary of using shop chemical drain cleaners as they can damage the pipes. Rather flush your drains regularly with one cup of baking soda, one cup of vinegar and four cups of boiling water. This natural remedy is effective and gentler on your pipes.
If your drains are already blocked, removing and cleaning the stopper or using high-quality plungers can help, otherwise there are experts on hand near you to assist in urgent situations.
Fix Persistent Leaks
A leaky tap can waste up to 30 litres of water per day, so it\’s important to fix small leaks promptly before they become expensive problems.
As a preventative measure, properly connecting your water supply and waste line fittings is crucial.
You can also help prevent leaks in your home by turning taps off all the way each time a faucet is used.
Don\’t Block Your Toilet
Flushing anything except toilet paper and human waste leads to nasty blockages and should always be avoided.
Items such as feminine hygiene products, wipes, paper towels, diapers, hair and dental floss should always be placed in the bin.
Also, although it may not seem like a leaky toilet could impact your water usage too much, but, it can waste over 700 litres of water per day – a problem which can be compounded by the number of toilets in your home, which can ultimately cost thousands of rands to fix.
If you have a leak, try replacing the toilet flapper, and if this doesn\’t work, it might be best to call in a professional.
Be Careful With Pipes And Fittings
When working around your home, before drilling holes or knocking nails into walls, it is crucial to first determine if there are any pipes directly behind the area you are working on, as you don’t want to accidentally puncture them. This is perhaps best done by calling in a plumber to assist.
Another common mistake made by people attempting DIY plumbing repairs is that they over-tighten fittings and connections.
This can cause damage to the bolts and screws, and it is better to simply tighten the connections until you feel the natural stopping point.
And always remember, as much as it can help to try doing things yourself, if you do need an experienced pair of hands to assist, it\’s always best to reach out for some expert help.
At Whizzoh, our extensive network of experts are available to address all your plumbing needs at a convenient time.
The services our plumbers offer include drain cleaning and unblocking, geyser repair and installation, toilet repair and installation, shower repair and installations, pipe installation, leak detection, solar geyser installation, and general plumbing assistance and repairs.
Find out more by downloading the Whizzoh app, visiting our website, or contacting us at info@whizzoh.co.za or on 0861 944 996.
