Minor Plumbing Repairs

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When you are familiar with the plumbing system and you have the proper tools then you have what it takes to tackle minor repairs such as fixing a leaky faucet and clearing a blocked drain. Preventive maintenance can save you money and inconvenience. Periodically clean out the hair and soap scum from the bathroom sink and tub drains. Never pour food, coffee grounds or liquid fat down the kitchen sink. don’t flush anything down the toilet except bathroom tissue and human waste. And fix leaky faucets quickly before minor problems lead to serious damage. With the proper tools and a little know-how, fixing many minor problems in your plumbing system is fairly easy. However, you must take with you any parts that need replacing to the hardware store or home center to make sure that you get the correct piece. This is because some replacement parts come in kits.

Shutting Off The Water

All adults in the house should know how to shut off the water in case of a plumbing emergency. And whenever there is a leak or other plumbing repair – other the clearing a clogged drain – you must shut off the water supply to that area before doing the work. In most houses there is a main shutoff valve which is usually located on a pipe close to the water meter. It may be where the water first enters the basement. In warm climates, it may be a valve located on the outside of the house. Or the shutoff may be in a box in the ground, this is sometimes called a buffalo box and is usually between the house and the street. Some boxes have valves that can be turned by hand while others need a long-handled “key.” Contact your water company if you are not sure. The valve controlling a house’s hot-water water supply is usually on the outlet pipe at the top of the water heater. It is more convenient to shut off the water at the plumbing fixture that you will be working on. A stop valve for each plumbing fixture and water-using appliance are normally on the wall behind the fixture or appliance or directly below it in the basement. You will need to shut off a more distant valve if a leak is in the feeder line.

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