Bubblebath anyone?
For many people, the bathtub isn't just a way to get clean, it's an oasis away from the stress and worries that come with daily life. Whether you indulge in a luxurious bubble bath every night or just enjoy a good soak now and then, it's important to keep your bathtub clean, neat, and most importantly, functioning. So how can you fix some of the most common bathtub problems? I thought you'd never ask. Here are the answers to some common bathtub questions.
Fixing a Bathtub Faucet Clog
One of the most frequent problems you'll see with a bathtub is that the faucet gets clogged. This isn't like unclogging a toilet - you actually might have to do some plumbing. But before you conjure up images of tool belts and blue jeans, remember that plumbing isn't complicated every time.
In each bathtub faucet there is a screen that helps make sure that any loose debris doesn't get plopped into your bubble bath, allowing you to enjoy clean, pristine water. The problem with this screen is that it can sometimes collect too much debris and actually clog your water from coming through with a full flow.
If you can, remove the faucet head in order to get to the screen. Take out the screen and wash it with warm or hot water, and use that time to clean out the inside of the bathtub faucet. If you have further problems but don't want to explore before you do further damage, call a plumber.
Fixing a Drain Clog
The next and perhaps more unpleasant problem with bathtubs is that sometimes the drains clog. You don't want to bathe today in yesterday's bathwater, so it's important that you get this drain cleared as soon as possible.
Though you'll want to clean the part of the drain you can see first, this rarely solves the problem itself. You'll want to plunge the drain like you would plunge a toilet, trying to remove as much of the blockage as possible. Fill a little water in your tub before you plunge.
If that doesn't work, you'll have to use a plumbing snake to get the clog out. Be patient with a plumbing snake, as oftentimes you'll have to go very deep before you can reach a clog. Once you do, voila! Good as new.
These are two of the most common problems that occur with bathtubs because they get in the way of the flow of our daily lives. The bathtub drain, for example, also effects the way we take showers. Even if you're initially frustrated, stick with your plumbing efforts as long as you're not doing any damage. You'll probably learn something.
Photo Credits: Darrius Thompson
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Posted by Fix Handyman on August 18, 2009 in
Bathroom, Bathtub, Handyman, How to Fix
Leaky Toilet Flange? No problem!
When we see some sort of liquid forming around the bottom of our toilet, we tend to get a little peeved. After all, with all of the liquids that form the usual daily traffic around a toilet flange, this means that a broken toilet might mean some dirty repairs. If you're curious about how to fix a leaking toilet flange so that you won't have to worry about it again - and so that you can stay dry the rest of the day - you've come to the right place.
First, you'll have to diagnose that the problem is with the flange itself and not with some other spot on the toilet. Sometimes, your toilet might not even be broken - a son or daughter might have gotten bathwater in the wrong spot. But if the toilet is rocking more than it should, you'll probably want to take a look at the flange underneath, which means pulling your toilet out of its place.
Once you look at the flange leading into the plumbing underneath, you should have a better idea of what's going on with your toilet. You can usually see if your flange is broken because there aren't many parts that go into its connection with the toilet: check that connection and see if anything has snapped or has become loose.
In order to repair the leaking flange, you'll actually want to replace as much of it as you can - you can buy a new toilet flange at a hardware store, or even purchase a "spanner flange" that only partially reinforces your flange in case you don't want to repair the entire object. Unscrew the part of the toilet flange you want to lift up - you can use a power drill if need be - and then remove the toilet bolt. (Note: if the toilet bolt is the problem, be sure to replace this, as well.) Place the toilet bolt under the spanner flange and drill the flange into the rest of the hardware.
Be sure to customize your repairs to your own needs - if you have more problems with your toilet flange, simply replace the entire unit and buy new toilet bolts. You can drill new holes to make sure that your screws fit into place, and voila! You should be able to re-attach your toilet to the flange and the toilet should be steady and leak-free. Now you can enjoy many more days of dry toilet usage.
Photo Credits: Omega Man
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Posted by Fix Handyman on August 4, 2009 in
Bathroom, Handyman, How to Fix, toilet
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
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Posted by Fix Handyman on August 3, 2009 in
Bathroom, Bathtub, How to Fix, Plumber, toilet
How to Update Your Bathroom
One of the things that says you like to take care of guests in your home is the quality of your bathrooms. Not only do people want privacy and cleanliness, but they appreciate an ambiance and at atmosphere that suggests you've thought of everything around your home. For the do-it-yourselfer, the bathroom also presents some interesting challenges in and of itself.
For one, you have to work with plumbing when you're updating a bathroom. This is in addition to the rest of the work, including cabinets, floors, and walls. But if you follow a detailed plan, follow through with it, and are willing to adapt to obstacles, you might just be able to update your bathroom efficiently. Here are some steps for doing just that.
1. If you don't have experience, don't start with the bathroom. The bathroom is not exactly do-it-yourselfer rookie territory. As has been mentioned, issues like plumbing are combined with electricity and upholstery in order to make a perfect storm of difficulty for the first-time homeowner. If you want a new bathroom, you simply might think about hiring a contractor. At the very least, don't make updating your bathroom your first project. Start with your basement - where you can at least start from scratch - and build up your experience. You'll be glad you did.
2. Seek out some professional advice. One of the most important things you can do when updating a bathroom is not to treat it like it's your own personal pet project. Make it a community effort - listen to your spouse's take on the look of the bathroom and be willing to get some consultation from a contractor, or even outsource some of the work that you can't handle, like the plumbing. Remember that there's no shame in not doing it all yourself - if someone asks how you did it, you can be perfectly honest. Don't get caught up in your own ideas so much that you forget why you're doing this in the first place.
3. Measure twice, cut once. The old adage "measure twice, cut once" also applies to bathrooms: make sure that your preparations are clear and definitive. You'll want to be as thorough as possible. But don't let exhaustive preparations become a reason for you to forget actually following through on your blueprints. Get to work after you've "measured twice," and set a schedule for yourself. If you get behind, at least be willing to work on it a little bit every day so that you can keep your momentum going.
Photo Credits: brooklyn
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Posted by Fix Handyman on July 28, 2009 in
Bathroom, Handyman, How to Fix
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