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Nearly every home
plumbing system operates according to the same basic principles. If
you can master the details of valves, fittings, washers and ring
clamps, you should be able to address anything that arises with
comparative ease. One of the most common mistakes made by
enterprising homeowners is forgetting to perform their due diligence
before the repairs begin, however, so do yourself a favor and cut
off water supplies, create drainage conduits and protect nearby
items from spraying water. Although the vast majority of home
plumbing jobs do not involve water under significant pressure, acute
events such as bursts and leaks can destroy the affected area.
Faucets are the most common source of headaches for homeowners, and
with good reason. Although the technology has exited for over a
century, most basic home faucets continue to be manufactured
according to the individual whims of each company. That means few
standardized protocols exist. You should be able to make progress
simply by identifying which kind of faucet your home has, however.
Of the four basic varieties – compression, cartridge, disc and ball
– compression faucets continue to dominate. Leaks are more common in
this configuration as well, for reasons that will presently become
clear.
Start by unscrewing the handle and removing the escutcheon using a
screwdriver. Beware: if your plumbing fixture is made of chrome or
ceramic, you want to exercise caution to ensure you don’t scratch an
expensive finish in the process! Most likely you can pull out the
stem now fairly easily, though there is such a thing as a handle
puller for unusually old or corroded plumbing. Now that you can get
at the washer, try prying it off the stem to see if it’s still
intact. This is by far the most common source of trouble for
compression faucets, and usually an inexpensive replacement will do
the trick. If the washer seems fine, the problem may also lie in
your faucet seat – any mineral buildup can lead to a broken seal,
rendering your faucet leaky and unreliable.
Similar steps can be applied to the other major faucet types without
much variation. The notable exception is disc faucets, which are
often self-contained and thus will not easily yield to exploration.
If you suspect a disk may be cracked or chipped, you may be able to
use a good flashlight and some food coloring to expose the fissures.
In the case of broken discs, it’s wisest to simply replace the
entire assembly and get something made of hardier materials for the
future.
Of course plumbing problems may extend well beyond your home’s
faucets. Although many such issues will require a plumber to head
into the walls, you may be able to fix some of the simpler problems
that arise. One of the most frequent is the running toilet, a
mainstay of home ownership since time immemorial. Usually this
problem can be fixed simply by replacing a faulty flapper or ball
assembly, though some cases will require you to clean mineral
deposits from the tank itself. Vinegar, boiling water and baking
soda usually does the trick.
Finally, if your pipes themselves have become frozen, you may be
able to save them before a rupture occurs. If the pipes are hiding
in the walls, you may simply be able to use a space heater and some
patience. For exposed external pipes, a simple hair dryer will
usually do the trick provided the area is clear of dangerous pooling
water. If a burst has spawned you have a stubborn leak that is
attacking the struts and beams or your home’s foundation, however,
it is time to call the professionals without delay. |
