With the DIY market now bumping up against the $14 billion mark, more homeowners and even apartment renters are getting acquainted with repairs. They find that with the help of a quick internet search, they can get a comprehensive how-to for fixing the very model of faucet or bath fixture troubling them. Leaking faucet repair or any other bathroom issue is easier to tackle than you might even realize.
Here are four simple fixes for dealing with leaking faucets or common bathroom issues and how to know when you should just call a pro.
1. Sink Caulking
If you’ve been living in your home for a while or your home is on the older side, then the caulk around your tub or sink could wear off. When that seal starts to crack and deteriorate, not only does it look bad but you could introduce mold and mildew into your walls.
To avoid water damage or plumbing issues, start by removing all the caulk that’s already all around your sink or tub if that’s your issue. Use a putty knife or carefully scrape with a razor blade. You need to remove the old caulk as thoroughly as you can to make it easier for the new caulk to bond to the surface.
Get yourself a caulk gun to apply a line of unbroken caulk all around the edge. Take your time to keep the lines neat and smooth. Make them look professional and you’ll not only be happier with yourself later, but you’re less likely to deal with leaking.
Caulk tends to dry quickly so work as fast as you can. However, if you make a major mistake, you can always start over and reapply.
If you can’t get it right, don’t leave the job half done. Call a professional to take on the issue. If there are leaks around your sink or tub after you’ve caulked, call a pro to help.
2. Replacing a Shower Head
While we all want to have clean surfaces and strong water pressure, sometimes our shower heads fail us. While most of the problems that we have with shower heads come from inadequate cleaning, shower heads need to be replaced every few years. Unscrewing the old shower head and screwing in a new one can be easy.
It can also be a challenge if the old one has rusted on or was put on too tight. You might need a pair of pliers to get the job done. You need something that can exert a strong grip around the head so that you can twist it off without damaging your pipe.
If you don’t have this, ask a neighbor if they can help out. This is such an easy fix that you might not want to call a plumber on this one. However, when you call a professional, you get service that ensures that not only will your shower head be put on tightly, but they can assess your system.
For anyone who has been dealing with water pressure issues, they can do a few quick tests to ensure that there aren’t any major issues with your shower setup.
3. Leaky Faucet Fixes
If you’ve got a faucet that has been giving you trouble with leaks, it’s easier to fix on your own than you might think. Many leaks stem from a loose nut at the base of the faucet or a drip that starts at the spout.
Some fixes are pretty straightforward and easy while others are a bit more challenging. Depending on your faucet, you could be facing a day-long repair.
Faucets with a rotary ball are a standard option you find at most home improvement stores. You can usually repair these easily but if they break, they can be replaced just as simply.
If you have a cartridge-style faucet, you might have a little more trouble getting the parts you need.
Start by shutting off the water supply. If your faucet just has a light drip, you might be able to remove the knobs and replace them, giving you full control over the fixture underneath. These fall out of place at times and make it so you can’t fully turn off the water supply.
If you’re not comfortable messing with the water line or worry about causing more problems than you can fix, that’s when you should call a pro in. Some people aren’t comfortable working on this kind of project and that’s okay. It’s better to know your limits than to take a risk.
4. Fix a Running Toilet
If your toilet is constantly running or you need to jiggle the handle to get it to stop, you need to fix it as soon as possible. It’s more than just a small annoyance, you could be wasting hundreds of gallons of water a day.
This is a sign that your stop valve is broken, your floater valve needs to be replaced, or that your chain is busted. Check to see if there’s a clear issue that something is broken. Most of these parts can be picked up at any standard hardware store.
To get the job done, start by shutting off the water supply. Then replace the setup as it looks to you now.
If you can’t get your toilet to flush, then the trap might be clogged. This is when you should call a pro to help you out.
Leaking Faucet Repair Could Be Easy or Not
Depending on the type of faucet you have or the age of your fixtures, leaking faucet repair could be a breeze. As long as you shut off the water supply in advance, you should be able to fix your faucet without causing a mess. If you feel overwhelmed, that’s when you should contact us for help to keep you out of trouble.
_______________________________________
Read Related Articles:
