Archive for the ‘Plumber’ Category
First figure out what type of faucet you're working with.
One of the most common household repairs is the faucet-fix; it wouldn't be such a common repair if these devices worked all of the time! The bad news is you don't always feel like you have time to fix a faucet right away. That's why this article will help explain how to fix a faucet in a jiffy, even if you have a specific type of faucet that you aren't sure how to manage.
First, let's explore the faucet types.
The Ball Faucet: The ball faucet is your classic single-handle faucet on top of a large round base, allowing for a certain mix of hot and cold water with just one nozzle. Many homes today have ball faucets, but you might also want to be aware if your single-handle faucet is actually a disk faucet, a recent innovation.
The Disk Faucet: This faucet is also single-handled. The Disk faucet essentially works by operating with disks instead of a ball. These will also have a round base, so you won't always be able to discern a disk faucet from a ball faucet simply by looking at it. Be sure to find out what kind of faucet you're using before you try and fix it.
The Compression Faucet: Double-handled, the compression faucet works with two valves in each handle allowing for the basic blocking and allowing of flows.
The Cartridge Faucet: These can be a little tricky to discern as they can be single or double-handled. These operate using cartridges, and you might be able to recognize these by the motion they use: a double-handled cartridge faucet should require the faucet to be moved up and down for flow and twisting the knobs for temperature.
So how do you fix these individual faucets in a jiffy? You'll need to know the basics. The first rule with any of these faucets is to turn off the water supply leading to the faucet - either find a valve under the sink or turn off your house's water supply temporarily.
After you've turned off the water, turn the faucet on to let the rest of the remaining water flow out. To prevent dropping anything into the drain, try putting a towel over it. Begin to take apart the faucet and look for the problem - if you need to replace parts, bring that part with you to the hardware store so you can search for duplicates.
Find a guide or blueprint for how your faucet should look on the inside, and try to identify the problem. Online guides that show you how to fix each individual faucet can also help.
Photo Credits: Joe Shlabotnik
Originally posted 2009-09-10 03:41:27.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on January 25, 2012 in
faucet, How to Fix, Plumber, Sink
Bathtub or toilet clogged? Grab a plunger!
Being able to plunge away a bathtub or toilet problem with a plunger is one of the basic home improvement skills everybody should know. It might not always be the most pleasant task, but it's simple, easy to learn, and it often gets the job done. The better you understand how to fix a clogged drain with a plunger, the less you'll need to work. Here's how to most effectively fix your drain using a plunger.
First, what kind of plunger do you have? Most of us imagine the stereotypical bell-shaped plunger, but you might have seen other options at the local hardware store. Use the "stereotypical" one; this bell-shaped plunger should be able to fold back to become flatter when you need to unclog either a sink or a bathtub. There are less-traditional plungers that aren't able to change their size for the type of drain you'll be unclogging; try to avoid these.
Next, it's important to understand that plungers work better if they're encased in water. If your toilet is clogged and there's hardly any water in the bowl, fill a container with water and use it to fill up the toilet bowl about halfway up. Once you have enough water over the drain to essentially cover the end of the plunger, push the plunger over the drain and form a seal around it. Now, pump the plunger over the drain keeping the seal tight, usually using much of your force to push in the plunger. You should notice that the clog appears to be loosening; however, you might not be able to tell until you flush the toilet again.
You can probably try another round of plunging if this doesn't work. If your plunging still seems fruitless, you'll have to move to the next step on the plumbing ladder: using a snake to break up the clog. If you use a snake and continue to have trouble with a clogged drain that seems totally blocked, it will probably be time to call the plumber.
Most of your clogs, however, should break up once you use a plunger. At the very least, you'll be able to loosen up a clog enough to get your toilet working again. When it comes to other clogged drains - such as the bathroom sink or the bathtub drain - you can fold back the plunger and use a similar method of plunging, making sure that there's some water present above the drain.
Photo Credits: julia fredenburg
Originally posted 2009-08-03 13:55:51.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on January 6, 2012 in
Bathroom, Bathtub, How to Fix, Plumber, toilet
How to Unclog a Clogged Toilet in Three Steps
Ugh - there goes the toilet again. Today's toilets are more eco-friendly because they use less water per flush, but this also means they pack less of a wallop than the less-efficient toilets of yesteryear. Which means you'd better be ready to unclog a toilet, but don't worry: it's not as hard as you thought. Here are three steps for doing just that.
- Step 1. First, make a few preparations.
If you don't know what's clogging the toilet, try to ask anyone else who lives with you if they might know. This, of course, will depend on your individual situation and whether or not you already know what's causing the clog. Second, as you're preparing to unclog the toilet, try to spread a few towels around the area - it's likely that you'll splash some toilet water around. Make sure you wash these towels after you're done.
- Step 2. Use a plunger.
This is the basic tool you'll use when working with toilets, and for most clogs, this might actually be your only step. If you've never used a plunger before, don't fret; it's actually pretty simple.
First, you'll want to make sure that there's enough water in your toilet bowl to cover the head of the plunger. Make sure that you don't actually flush the clogged toilet again - instead, you'll want to simply add some water from an external source like a faucet. This will help make the plunging go more smoothly and make sure you get adequate pressure to unclog your clog.
- Step 3. If the plunger fails, try a toilet auger.
This isn't your first option; you'll want to use the auger for the especially stubborn clogs that the plunger simply isn't able to handle.
A toilet auger is much like a plumber's snake, but it is often treated with a plastic coating to help protect the inner workings of your toilet. Using the auger, you can actually "reach in" and manually dislodge a clog by either grabbing it and pulling it back up, or by pushing it through down to your drainage line.
Working with a clogged toilet is one of the easiest things to fix around the home - as long as you know what you're doing. Keep a couple of these tools (a plunger and an auger) handy around the house - you just need one of each. This way you can avoid unnecessary trips to the hardware store or calls to the plumber.
Photo Credits: apartment therapy
Originally posted 2009-07-30 03:30:52.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on December 24, 2011 in
How to Fix, Plumber, toilet
Got a Leaky Faucet?
A leaky faucet, over time, can feel like the scourge of your bathroom: even if the rest of your bathroom is in tip-top shape and even the ambiance is enviable, a leaky faucet changes how your guests might perceive your home. At least, in your mind it does. If you're the type of home do-it-yourself-er who enjoys not only a quick challenge, but making sure that your home is running as flawlessly as possible, it's time to learn how to fix that leaky faucet. In this article, we'll take a look at some simple steps for achieving exactly that.
Step #1: Survey the leaky faucet.
If you don't know anything about faucets, you'll probably want to learn about two basic faucet types: essentially, check to see how your faucet uses dials. Are there two handles for controlling faucet flow and temperature, or is there simply one mechanism that handles both? The latter is known as a "washerless" faucet, while the former is known as "compression" faucet. If you plan on fixing your faucet, you'll first have to know what you're fixing.
If you can, make sure you also look at the company name on the faucet and check their inventory online to see if you can find the specific type. This won't always be necessary, but it can potentially lead to some important hints and strategies you'll want to use in order to fix the leak.
Step #2: Plan your strategy.
Now that you know the faucet type and its make, you'll be ready to go in and fix things. But first you'll need to plan your strategy, and prepare the right tools to help you accomplish this task that much more quickly. You'll also want to consider any aesthetic considerations - can you cover your tools with tape if necessary n order to avoid scratching? Make sure that you'll have all of your tools in the bathroom handy so that you don't have to go searching through the house later. This can enhance frustration and make the process that much more difficult. So make sure you know both what to expect and have the tools nearby to help you handle the job.
Step #3: Remove the handle and make the necessary repairs.
Inside, your faucet will probably require some replacements. Taking a look at the problem, you can get a better understanding of the type of replacements you'll probably need to make. Common problems can include "o" rings, rubber gaskets, and twine.
Photo Credits: DBR9007
Originally posted 2009-08-06 05:17:12.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on December 21, 2011 in
Handyman, How to Fix, Plumber
Leaky toilet?
Toilet leaks can be quite expensive to fix if you get them repaired by a professional plumber. Seeing that we are currently faced with tough economical times, many have been trying to cut back on their expenses where ever possible. As a result, many have started to work on things themselves. Trying to fix a leaking toilet is not as complicated as it may look. As long as you have the right set of tools and know what to do, you are guaranteed to be able to solve your problem without having to spend more than a $20 bill.
You can find yourself with a leaking toilet in two cases. Both of which are quite common. Depending on which problem you have, the approach to fix the leak will vary quite significantly. We will take a look at both of these situations separately.
Fill Valve Leaks
Finding a leak at the fill valve location is one of the most common scenarios that one can find them self in. The fill valve is usually located at the bottom of the of the toilet tank. This is the place which leads to the main source of water supply which is usually fitted in the wall. If you are suffering from a leak from the fill valve region, make sure that everything is tightened properly. Start off by tightening all the little bolts so that they are firmly in place. Dry the area that is leaking then try looking to see if you can see or at least feel the leak. This will help make you realize as to whether or not the leak is coming from the valve or not.
After making sure that it is the fill valve that is leaking, we can move on to solving the issue. Start off by turning off the main source of water supply to the toilet tank. After having done so, flush the toilet to make sure that there is no water left in the tank. If necessary, use a towel or a sponge to soak up the remaining water. After having done that, using a wrench, disconnect the tube coupling nut. Slowly take out the gasket and washer. Look to see if it is damaged or needs repairing. If that is the case, simply replace it with a new washer and place it back into the toilet flush. Tighten the tube using a wrench once again and that should sort out your problem.
Flush Valve Leaks
Suffering from leaks at the flush valve is another common scenario that you can be faced with. Follow the same steps to dry the water tank as mentioned above. After having done so unscrew the tank and take it off from the connecting seat. Lay the tank on its side and carefully remove the flush valve. Try cleaning the old parts and see if that makes a difference. If it doesn’t fix the problem, only then should you replace any parts that need fixing.
Photo Credits: Titanas
Originally posted 2010-03-23 03:34:53.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on October 21, 2011 in
How to Fix, Plumber, toilet
Shower Drain
As drains age, they begin leaking. Often, the piles loosen, the putty dries up or the tape begins to lose its effectiveness, causing water to trickle down the drain. If you have a sink drain that leaks, you can mend it by following the steps outlined here. And by attending to it yourself, you’ll be saving by not calling in a plumber!
First, close the tap before starting work. Next, remove all the fittings of the drain by unscrewing them, using a screwdriver. Next, take off the tailpiece. Ask a friend or family member to hold the drain pipe from over the sink while you loosen it with pliers.
If your drain has a plastic retainer, unscrew it before the drain pipe comes loose. Now that you have disassembled everything, clean it thoroughly. Check that you have cleaned the previous plumber’s putty from the fittings of the drain. If something is left over, it will weaken the bond when you put it back altogether and begin to leak once more.
Now, coat the part under the rim of the drain pipe with 0.5” thickness of plumbers’ putty to prevent future leakages. Remove any excess putty from the pipe or you will find it very difficult to clean it once it dries. Now, replace the drain pipe into the drain and screw all the fittings to the pipe below the sink. This simple operation will repair your leaky drain.
However, if you have a leaky shower drain, water may collect around the edges and make its way to the ceiling below it. To repair this, cut a panel in your ceiling downstairs. However, if you live in a rented accommodation, speak to your landlord and have him repair it or get his approval before doing it yourself.
Now, place some cloth on the floor just where you want to get down to work. Wear a pair of goggles. Then, make a cut of about 1.5 feet square into your ceiling that’s just below your shower drain, using a saw. Remove the locking unit using pliers and then the gasket.
Now, in the bathroom, loosen and take off the packing nut from the leaky drain. Remove the drain collar and clean the area around it with a putty knife, and clean the shower drain entirely.
Next, take about an inch of plumber’s putty and coat the base of the drain collar with it. Replace the drain collar using a very firm hand or some of the putty you just applied will come off. This is normal, so don’t panic. Once this is done, screw the locking nut tightly again and then take off any extra putty from around here and replace the packaging nut where it belongs. Use silicone caulk to keep this packing nut firmly in place.
To test if the leak is plugged, open the tap and let a little cold water trickle out. Now, if there is no leakage, you will need to repair the drywall. If a leak persists, call a plumber.
Photo Credits: lavenderstreak
Originally posted 2010-04-20 17:59:08.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on October 15, 2011 in
Drains, Handyman, How to Fix, Plumber, Shower
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