Easiest Plumbing Jobs For Seniors
Have you found some frustrating plumbing-related issues in your bathroom or kitchen lately that are making everyday living a pain? Are you considering hiring a plumber to fix the problems? Hold the phone. Although big issues require a professional’s attention, there are simple, small issues that you can fix yourself.
Related Topics (Sponsored Ads):
There are several reasons why it pays to learn those DIY methods when it comes to home upkeep and improvement. For instance, let’s say your toilet starts to malfunction, or your kitchen sink is clogged up, but you’re a bit tight on funds that day and can’t afford to pay a plumber. Or perhaps you have a busy schedule and don’t have time to wait for the plumber to arrive. Well, that’s no problem at all. Thanks to your due diligence, you can save the day and be the hero by using the DIY techniques that you learned. So before you pick up your phone to call a plumbing service, which usually charges a hefty fee, why not try to fix the issue on your own instead, and save a lot of money as well?
Listed below are the easiest plumbing tasks that any physically able person can do without having to call a plumber.
Replacing a Showerhead
Is your showerhead giving off weak/uneven water pressure while the water is on, leaky when the water is off or spraying from cracks that have formed after many months or years of use? Then it’s time to replace it, and thankfully, this is one of the easiest tasks of them all.
Replacing a leaky, problematic and damaged showerhead usually only takes about 5 minutes to do, which saves money and reduces your water consumption by up to 30% per user. Just make sure that the shower is fully turned off first to prevent any water from leaking out or soaking you. Simply turn the old showerhead anti-clockwise to unscrew it and it will detach from the arm.
Once it’s removed, clean the arm with a cloth or sponge to clean out the grime that has built up in the surrounding area, then attach the new showerhead by twisting it clockwise with your hand until it is tight and secure.
Unclogging The Bathtub Or Kitchen Sink Drain
Another super common plumbing problem that everyone experiences from time to time is the clogged/backed up drain. Yea sure, while using a plunger alone over the drain is somewhat effective, it’s not enough to fix the source of the problem.
In order to really clean up the pipes, first plunge the drain till the water totally drains. Then grab 2 cheap ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen – baking soda and vinegar. Did you make little chemical volcanoes from water, baking soda and vinegar back in elementary science classes? If so, your knowledge will now pay off to clear out that blocked drain- Just make a mix of ½ cup of baking soda, 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water, pour it down the drain and wait just 5-10 minutes.
Fixing A Toilet Tank That Won’t Stop Running
Ever heard of Chinese water torture? Well, that unceasing and constantly running toilet tank is a cause of serious water wastage, ridiculous water bills and aggravation. While merely “jiggling the handle” often solves this problem temporarily, the real solution is getting inside the system of the toilet tank.
The endlessly running toilet is essentially caused by a faulty flapper or fill valve. Often the chain on the flapper valve is holding it open. Replacing the flapper, which stops water from continually flowing into the toilet bowl, usually only costs about $10.00 or so and doesn’t even require tools. Alternatively, cleaning out the fill valve may also solve the issue.
Fixing A Mild-Moderately Leaky Sink Faucet
Is your bathroom or kitchen sink faucet leaking without end? Well, good news is, this is relatively straightforward and easy to resolve, depending on the type of faucet you have.
If it’s a mild-moderate leak coming from an unsealed unit, this only requires a washer replacement, which can be bought easily from any hardware store. You then need to unscrew the tap and change the washer. It’s highly recommended to take out the old washer, clean it and take it with you to the shop to make sure you get the right size for your sink.
If the leak is on the severe side or the tap is a sealed unit, you may be better off purchasing a whole new faucet, but luckily it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Your new tap will likely come with installation instructions on the pack.
Fixing A Jammed Garbage Disposal
Jammed garbage disposals can be scary contraptions, but most of them can be fixed with a little know how. Hopefully, with home composting on the rise, they will largely be a thing of the past. Nevertheless, they are currently a major part of the American kitchen sink system. The issue may be nothing more than a lack of power going to the disposal- check the breaker and the plug, then push the reset button beneath the disposal. An inexpensive garbage disposal tool can also be immensely helpful in achieving this task.
Final Thoughts
Apart from saving money, being able to fix things ourselves is always a great and empowering feeling. But no matter what kind of plumbing task it may be, don’t forget to wear gloves to protect your hands and skin from any possible viruses and bacteria.
Lastly, if you find yourself struggling a bit, there are plenty of YouTube videos that can help you get the job done quicker and easier.
