Your Plumbing Repair Made Easy

It is no surprise that several property owners relish the freedom to do home renovations and repair the way they wanted, and the hankering to do so boils down to comfort and satisfaction. If you have not made up your mind to start a home repair or renovation project, know that if you have problems in your property especially in the plumbing, these problems will only compound and become more complex over time. So before any plumbing woes happen, we wanted to help your plumbing work at its best with these easy repair tips in fixing common plumbing issues.

Fixing a leaky tap

• Step 1 – Always kickstart your repair by turning off the water. Missing this out can only lead to an immediate flood in your property as you disassemble the parts. Find the fixture shutoff valves under the sink and switch if off. If the tap has no shutoff valves, you can turn off the main water supply valve for the entire house. Do not forget to cover your drain to avoid losing small parts as you disassemble it.
• Step 2 – Depends on the type of tap you have, you can use different kinds of screwdrivers to loosen the tap handles. The handle should lift off with an upward pull as you unscrew it. If you notice your screws or other handle parts are not coming off, usually the case with corroded handle, use spray oil to loosen it.
• Step 3 – Remove the packing nut and any old packing with a wrench. Now, you should be able to see the stem and remove it. Some will come right off with a little yank, while others need a bit of a twist.
• Step 4 – Wrap the new packing nut around the stem three times counterclockwise or, you may replace the rubber washer.
• Step 5 – Reattach the packing nut while ensuring the packing fits into the packing nut securely. Avoid over tightening the packing nut.
• Step 6 – Turn the water back on and inspect for any leaks. If dripping persists, a possible underlying issue might be causing the problem. Work backwards again and ensure each part is installed and properly tightened. If it is still not doing the magic, it is best to call in the professionals.

Fixing a blocked or slow drain

• Step 1 – Remove the grate that covers the drain opening with a screwdriver. Lift away the great and take off any debris or hair that may be hanging on the grate.
• Step 2 – Decide what tools you should use. Make sure to wear your rubber gloves before you start to keep them clean and prevent injuries from happening. To use a drain snake, slide in the wire down the drain opening until you can feel any resistance. Tighten the clamp on the handle and apply just enough pressure to rotate the handle slowly to spin the wire. The wire should begin to spiral itself down further into the drain. Stop when you feel the wire comes in contact with the clog. Rotate the wire to break up the obstructions, but avoid doing it forcefully, or the wire may double back on itself. You can also use a pump for simple clogs.
• Step 3 – Turn on the water for a minute or so, to see if it flows past the snake wire. If the water immediately backs up again, try spiralling the snake wire further down the line and repeat the process.
• Step 4 – Run the water to test the drain before putting the drain grate back. Allow the water to run for a few minutes to flush any debris that dislodged, but was not removed by the snake drain. If your drain is still not working like it used to be, there is likely a bigger problem down the line that requires a more capable hand.

Fixing a clogged toilet

• Step 1 – Clogs on the toilet often can be cleared with the proper use of a plunger. To make it work effectively, add water to the toilet bowl until it is about half full. The water in the bowl is required to ensure a seal around the drain opening. Extend the flange at the bottom of the plunger cup. Flanges on most toilet plungers can be bent into the cup if used for sinks and tubs but must be extended, for toilets.
• Step 2 – Bring the plunger into the bowl, so the plunger cup is fully water-filled as you lower it down. Position the cup around the drain opening. Make sure the flange is inside, and the plunger completely fully latches around the hole.
• Step 3 – Pump the plunger up and down repeatedly with a rapid, powerful thrust, sending enough pressure down the drain to loosen the clogs. Maintain a good latch throughout the procedure. Pumping the plunger up and down produces a suction effect that helps disengage and push the clog down the drain. If you notice the water has lowered down the bowl as you do the motion, you have probably cleared the clog.
• Step 4 – Carefully remove the toilet tank lid. Flush the toilet to see if the clog has cleared. If the water looks like it will fill the toilet bowl to the brim, quickly reach into the tank and push down the flapper. The flappers will stop the flow of water to the bowl to prevent an overflow.

Repairing plumbing fixtures may at some point be an easy task to do but, with one wrong move, unfortunate consequences can follow. You may be able to deal with the problem this time and next time, but no one knows, including you, how long will it remain working. Fortunately, when your plumbing problem gets out of hand, you don’t need to go banana over it. There’s also an easy way to detect and fix severe issues down the line with Relining Solutions. Whether there’s a significant leak or a sizable clog in your plumbing, this solution will guarantee a long-lasting and safe fix.

What are Relining Solutions?

Sydney Relining Solutions is an approach that professional plumbers in Sydney used to locate and fix defects on the sewer pipe, drain pipe, or stormwater drainage system. With this pipeline relining method, gone are the days when repairing pipes can stretch to weeks to complete and requires the classic messy and invasive digging procedure. In just a day’s work, your plumbing system is back in full capacity. No ripping off your property, no disruptions.

So don’t waste another day waiting for something to happen before you plan out your next plumbing repair schedule, if it doesn’t hurt to do it now, why not? After all, home repair projects will only bring you satisfaction and comfort you’d always wanted.