Fortunately, you do not always need to call a professional plumber for small plumbing maintenance tasks. You just need to dedicate ample time to these projects and keep in mind that by doing them, you will save a lot of money from future damages to motivate yourself to accomplish them.
Weekends are usually dedicated to family days or short vacations that is why it is challenging for some homeowners to use these days to maintain their houses. Do not worry because there are easy ways to do them that will not consume the whole day of your family time.
But also, before you attempt any of these projects, you have to make sure you know where your main water shut-off valve is in your home and test it to ensure it’s working properly. Do not forget to close the valve and run a faucet until the water stops flowing.
You may try these projects listed below for your plumbing system.
Unclog the main drain line
It is important to check your main drain line regularly especially during weekends when there will be less schedule for extracurricular activities of your family. This way, you will have time to notice signs of leaks or damages that every homeowner should address immediately.
And if you see bubbling or leaks coming from one water fixture while another is running, there must be clogs on your main sewer line. Luckily, you will be able to release the pressure simply by removing the cap from the line in your yard.
Clear a P-Trap
P-traps are sections of pipes located under sinks in kitchens and bathrooms. It is a plumbing fixture that serves many purposes in saving your home from damages and inconveniences. Also, they are like catch basins of debris that washes down the drain.
They are also installed to prevent clogs deep within your plumbing system. You will need to clear out the debris by taking them apart with pliers, and then reinstall.
Unclog the bathtub drain
No one wants a clogged drain, especially on the bathtub. Taking a nice warm bath after a long day of working is a pleasure anyone who works hard deserves. However, not taking care of the source of that pleasure will hinder and interrupt that enjoyment.
A simple clog, not only in the pipes but also in the bathtub can ruin the plumbing system. It is advisable to always check the bathtub drain and remove the clogs. It may be a couple of hair strands or soap’s residue and you may use some tools to remove them like a drain snake.
Install a new showerhead
Repair a running toilet This is one of the easiest plumbing projects that you can do on weekends. It will not consume a lot of time and effort. You just need to unscrew the faulty shower head from the shower arm and cover it with Teflon tape after cleaning the threads on the shower arm.
A running toilet is probably a sign of a broken flapper or fills valve. Toilets generally stop running after filling the tank and if you notice that it does not happen, check the flapper and fill valve immediately.
Fortunately, you do not need the help of a professional because it is easy to fix. But you also have to be extra careful to avoid further damage.
Fixing loose pipes
It will also enable you to tighten loose joints, fix leaking pipes, repair all minor damages, and achieve much more than just fixing small plumbing problems around the home without the help of a professional plumber.Using just a set of wrenches to fix the loose pipes will save the day of homeowners. It is recommended to invest in these kinds of tools for emergency and maintenance purposes.
But although DIY plumbing projects can help you save money and time, it’s also extremely important to know your bounds. Certain projects are reserved only for licensed plumbers.
If you are not sure about the method or when you encounter a more serious issue to fix with your plumbing system, do not hesitate to call for help. It is important to differentiate which plumbing work you can do and which should be reserved in the hands of the experts.