Every homeowner has to deal with plumbing emergencies every now and then. Normally, the first instinct is to look for a professional contractor and have them fix whatever there is to be fixed. But let’s admit it. It’s not always economically feasible to turn to the pros for these household situations. There are plumbing tasks you can do on your own, so let’s take a look at these tasks as well as those times when you may have no choice but to call for help and hire someone.
Toilet Tank Overflow
You’ll know it when you see water flowing into the bowl even after you have flushed it. You can do this on your own simply by turning off the shut-off valve on your tank. Move the float arm inside the toilet tank in such a way that the flapper valve eventually closes. Continue adjusting and running test flushes until the overflow stops. However, you may need to get professional plumbing help if the problem continues after several attempts to adjust the float arm.
Leaking Pipes
This is one plumbing task for the pros. Your responsibility here is to turn off the water valve connected to the leaking pipe, but everything else must be done by a trained professional. Pipes usually leak due to some form of corrosion, and may result in mold build-up if not attended to immediately.
Burst Pipes
Obviously, this is another job for a professional plumber, but you’ll have to do a few things while waiting for them to get to your house. First, turn off the main water supply to prevent flooding. Make sure all faucets in your home are turned off so that the water can drain completely. Turn off all appliances that might have come in contact with the water, and turn off your water heating systems as well. Investigate the source of the leak. That way you can be prepared for the plumber’s arrival and make his job easier.
Clogged Drain
Now this is another plumbing task you can do on your own. Don’t use chemical cleansers just yet as a rubber plunger might do the trick. The only time you should resort to these store-bought cleaning agents is if the clog still remains. And if that still isn’t removing the blockage, you can place a container or vat beneath the pipe located below the sink. This pipe is known as the trap. Loosen it, try removing the blockage and replace it after flushing out the residual blockage with hot water.
These are just four plumbing emergencies that normally happen in households across the country. While there are other issues you can fix on your own, it would still be best to call a plumber if you still don’t feel comfortable with doing it yourself. Yes, it will still cost you money, but nothing compared to what you may have to spend if your home gets tarnished by water damage.