You probably don’t think of your pipes as being particularly glamorous, but they’re an essential part of the home that we often take for granted until they go wrong. There will inevitably come a time when you have a burst pipe or some other kind of plumbing emergency. Most homes will have at least one plumbing problem during their lifetime; this is especially true if your home was built before the 1980s. Luckily, there are a number of simple maintenance tips and tricks that can help reduce the likelihood of having plumbing problems in your Lagos home. The inconvenient truth is that plumbing emergencies almost always happen when you least expect them to—such as after work on a Tuesday night!
The most common plumbing breakdowns occur in the bathroom, so it’s a good idea to check your faucets and showers weekly. If anything seems to be amiss, get it fixed as soon as possible. Even small plumbing issues can lead to bigger problems, as well as increased water usage. So if you notice a leaky faucet, fix it right away! However, if you regularly check your plumbing fixtures you’ll be able to catch a problem before it becomes a big issue. If you’re worried about something being wrong with your faucets or showers, but you don’t know how to fix them, then it’s a good idea to keep the number of a plumber on hand. Most plumbers will come out to your home for a flat rate, which is often less expensive than an emergency call out. If you have a plumber on speed dial, you can rest easy knowing you’ve got someone to call when you need help.
If your shower head is more than five years old, it’s a good idea to change it out for a new one. Old shower heads tend to clog up with mineral deposits, which can reduce water pressure and increase your water usage. This is one of the easiest plumbing fixes you can do yourself without having to hire a plumber. Just get rid of your old shower head and replace it with a new one. If you need help picking out a new shower head, you can read our plumbing fixtures guide for more information. If you’re worried about the cost of replacing your shower head, remember that it only costs about $20 and can save you hundreds of dollars in reduced water usage over the years.
A clogged toilet or drain is one of the most common plumbing issues. Luckily, it’s relatively easy to prevent if you check your toilet and drain once a month. Signs that your toilet or drain may be clogged include a slower than normal flush, reduced water flow in your toilet, or water that is pooling in your sink. The easiest way to check your toilet and drain for signs of a clog is to drop a toilet bowl cleaner down the toilet and a few tablespoons of baking soda down your drain. Leave the products to sit in your drain and toilet overnight and then flush them away in the morning. If you have a clog in your drain or toilet, you can often clear it out yourself with a cheap drain cleaning tool. Alternatively, you can call a plumber for a clog in your toilet, but it’s more likely that you’ll need to call a plumber for a clogged drain. A clogged drain is a serious issue that requires professional help.
In addition to checking your toilet and drain once a month, you should also check the rest of your plumbing fixtures, including your kitchen faucet, washing machine hoses, and water heater every year. These fixtures tend to wear out faster than other plumbing fixtures, so checking them once a year will help you catch any issues before they become major problems. Installing new faucets, hoses, and other fixtures once a year will reduce the likelihood of the issues that they cause. For example, a worn-out faucet can leak, wasting water and leading to higher water bills. Worn-out hoses can also leak, so it’s important to replace them regularly with new ones.
If you’re ever unsure about whether you should call a plumber or try to fix the problem yourself, it’s best to call a plumber. That said, there are some minor plumbing issues that you can easily fix yourself. One of the easiest plumbing repairs you can do is for a leaky pipe, which can often be fixed with a little bit of duct tape. If you have a leaky pipe, the first thing you should do is shut off the water supply to the pipe. Next, you’ll want to wrap the leaking area with duct tape, making sure to cover the entire surface of the pipe. Finally, turn the water supply back on, and see if the leak has stopped. If not, you’ll want to try a different section of your pipe until you find the right spot.
These quick fixes can help you deal with a range of plumbing issues, from clogged toilets and leaky pipes to worn-out faucets. You can save yourself a lot of hassle by following these tips so you’re prepared for any plumbing emergency that may come your way. You might even want to keep a roll of duct tape in your home just in case!
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