Many of us lack the plumbing and DIY skills to do without the expertise of a professional plumber in the event of a big problem. There is then a risk of aggravating the situation and therefore the expenses linked to the repairs. However, some plumber’s tricks do not require special knowledge and can help unblock the situation without calling a professional. Whether you have a small leak or a clog in your pipes, here are some tips and tricks to test before calling for help.
1) How to extract the blockages in the plumbing
For unclog a sinkthe simple fact of unscrew the siphon and cleaning everything with soapy water can be more than enough to facilitate the evacuation of waste water. Otherwise, you can pour a cup of baking soda and coarse salt, then cover with white vinegar to clean the pipes and remove the clogs. All that remains is to let it act, then rinse with boiling water to help eliminate stagnant water in the sink, washbasin or bathtub. Finally, an unfolded metal hanger with a hook at the end can serve as a ferret and hang the hair that clogs the pipes.
In the case of clogged toilets, it’s not just the plunger or the pump unblocker. A Spanish broom covered in plastic or a bottle cut at the base can be used to unclog the pipes with a back-and-forth motion.
2) Repair a small leak yourself
For large leaks, it is better to call a professional directly in your locality (such as abdepan38.fr for the Grenoble region). However, if you only notice a few drops or a small puddle under a pipe, you can try to manage it yourself.
In the event of a pipe leak
Cut off the water supply and evacuate the stagnant water in the pipes by opening the taps in the accommodation. Next, clean and dry the leaking pipe well and apply pipe sealant. Finish by smoothing the mastic well with a damp finger. This will immediately fix the problem. For a more permanent effectnote that it is however better to use cold or hot welding.
In the event of a mixer tap leak
The cause here is often a worn valve or seal. They will therefore have to be replaced. To do this, disassemble the faucet by turning off the water, emptying the pipes and removing the pellet that holds the faucet handle with a knife. Then unscrew the whole thing, examine the flapper and seal, then make the replacement.
In the event of a flush leak
Troubleshooting will mostly depend on the cause. In the event of a non-hermetic valve, incorrectly installed or wornit will be necessary to stop the water supply from the tank, empty it, unblock the central mechanism (removing the limestone may be necessary here) and replace the valve before reassembling everything. If the problem comes rather from the float (too high or too low), twisting the rod, manipulating the adjustment screw or repositioning the float arm may be sufficient. It may also be necessary to descale it or change it if it is punctured. Finally, for a seal problem, all you have to do is stop the water supply, flush the toilet, unscrew the shut-off valve and the two nuts under the support of the bowl and remove the tank to access its mechanism. You can then descale everything, replace worn parts and/or tighten the seal ring with pliers before reassembling everything.
In the event of a heating system leak
The leak here can be explained by an aged gasket, a bad fitting, a gland nut that has become too loose or constantly changing temperatures in a room (especially with the thaw). After stopping the heating water, you can bleed the radiator and tighten the nut if necessary. To change a worn gasket, however, you will have to disassemble the valve, clean the connection with sandpaper, then put the new gasket. Finally, rinse with demisting product and reassemble everything before starting. Make sure that the boiler pressure is still sufficient.
3) Adopt good habits to keep your plumbing in good condition
Simple gestures and good daily habits help to avoid problems, and therefore interventions by a professional. Plumbers therefore advise:
– Know how to locate the valves to be able to stop the water in case of emergency
–Do not leave small leaks lying around which represent liters of water lost daily, make the water bill explode and will end up getting worse if nothing is done
-Do not throw anything in the toilets or pipes that does not belong there (wipes, oil, chemicals, flour, food debris, etc.).
-Always check for wires or hoses Before to drill or nail a surface.
–Avoid overtightening fittingswhich can strip screws and break bolts (prefer to hand-tighten).
-Call them if you don’t know what you are doing, both for your safety and to avoid unnecessarily more expensive repairs.
