The Long Term Problem with DIY Plumbing Repairs

February 1st, 2013 Posted in Toilets
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Simple home plumbing maintenance such as clogged toilet repairs or a clearing a stopped up drain can often be handled by most homeowners. However, when it comes to the more major repairs and plumbing fixture installation, do-it-yourself solutions can come back to haunt you in the future.

There are two ways DIY plumbing can negatively impact a homeowner. The first is simply the issue of fixing one problem in a way that may create another one. If you don’t have a full understanding of how your home’s plumbing system is put together and how it works, you may end up fixing a surface problem, while, unknowingly, creating another one that may not show up until weeks or months down the line. Calling a professional plumber in at that point will usually cost you much more than if you’d had a professional take care of the smaller problem in the first place.

The second way the DIY plumbing can create a problem is when it comes time to sell your home. If your DIY plumbing is not fully up to code or doesn’t pass the critical judgment of a home inspector, you may find yourself either losing a potential buyer or having to put additional money into correcting the plumbing before you can finalize the sale.

Don’t risk these issues to save a few dollars or because you ‘think’ you can figure it out yourself. A reliable licensed will make sure it is done correctly the first time. Plus, you’ll learn more by watching him and asking him questions than by using the trial and error method.

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Reasons Your Toilet May Become Clogged

January 16th, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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Clogged toilets are the bane of the homeowner. They can happen at the most inopportune time and are not always easily remedied. Fixing a clogged toilet can be as simple a few good pushes on a plunger. Other times, clogged toilet repairs can be much more work. What it takes to unclog a toilet depends largely upon what the reason is behind the clog. There are several causes for a clogged toilet and therefore several different means of clearing those clogs. Here are some of the most common causes for a clogged toilet:

  • A foreign object lodged in the toilet is common problem, especially in homes with small children. Small toys or toothbrushes are common culprits. Often times an object is beyond view and the fact that there is something in the drain pathway is not easily evident. Clogs that seem to keep recurring in a toilet may be due to a foreign object.
  • Blockage in the vent pipe. If the toilet’s vent pipe has a blockage it can affect the flushing ability of the toilet.
  • Too much waste at once. Too much paper and organic waste trying to flushed at once can clog a toilet and make a real mess.

A professional plumber will have the tools and experience necessary to determine the reason behind a clogged toilet. He will be sure to check the vent stack as well as the toilet drain for blockage. A plumber will also have a plumbers snake to sure as an auger to break through clogs or fish out foreign objects. If necessary, a plumber can lift the toilet from its seating and then reseal and set it in place again. If the plunger isn’t solving the problem, call your plumber.

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Unclog the Toilet

January 14th, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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Dealing with a clogged toilet is never any fun. Procrastination is usually the first resort when it comes to clearing a clogged toilet. You sit there and watch it, hoping the problem will take care of itself. Surprisingly, this method does work fairly often and the only fix necessary is an extra flush. When this doesn’t work, however, there are a few more steps you can take before calling for a licensed plumber. The following list includes a few tips that not only work pretty well but don’t involve harsh chemicals and unhealthy fumes.

  • The Plunger – As an archaeological relic, the toilet plunger is only about a half-hour younger than the first toilet, and has served mankind commendably since then. While a cup plunger will work, it is best-suited for sinks and tubs. For toilets best results will be achieved with a flanged plunger.
  • Hot Water and Detergent – Sometimes the heat and volume of the extra water and lubricating effect of the detergent are enough to loosen the stoppage.
  • The Snake – As with a plunger, the drain snake (aka the drain auger) should be a mainstay in any basic homeowner tool set. Be careful to not scratch the porcelain bowl with the tip of the auger or get it stuck in the plumbing.
  • Long-Sleeved Rubber Gloves – Sometimes you just have to do things manually to dislodge or retrieve a blockage. Plumbers all have some story to tell about things they have found while clearing a stoppage, everything from organics to combs and hair-clips and cell phones. 

If none of these measures are productive or you just don’t want the hassle, then don’t be afraid to call a pro. A reputable plumber can often handle these problems much quicker than the standard do-it-yourselfer.

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