Do-it-yourself
bathroom repairs At one time or
another, most of us have been hit with a bathroom repair bill
that causes more waterworks than the plumber fixed. While some
problems require the services of an expert, there are many
common repairs you can tackle yourself. Here are four quick
fixes for common problems that will allow you to save expensive
house calls for the real emergencies.
Running toilet
The float is the plastic ball that hangs in your toilet tank
(or, in newer toilets, the cylinder of plastic around the fill
tube that rises and falls with the water). It determines the
water level in your tank. If the level is too high, your toilet
will run non-stop. If it's an old-style float, you may be able
to fix it by just bending the metal arm the float is attached to
so that the float rides lower in the tank. Quite often, though,
the problem is a leaky float or float valve. You can buy a new
float valve, which comes with a new float (and usually includes
directions for installation) and put it in yourself -- just be
sure to shut off the water supply to your toilet first. This is
almost as easy as replacing the float only, which is a matter of
unscrewing the old one and screwing the new one on. If you are
not confident about doing the repair yourself, call a plumber.
Clogged sink
When you have a clogged drain your first instinct may be to
reach for a chemical drain cleaner. Well, think again. Often the
plunger will do the trick. You can also try baking soda and
vinegar, followed by boiling water, to help break down gunk
that's obstructing the flow of water. If that doesn't work, you
may have to use a plumber's snake to clean the trap. If you
don't have the skills to use a snake and several attempts with a
plunger and the homemade drain cleaner do not clear the drain,
consult a plumber. If more than one drain in your house is
backed up, you may be facing a clog in the main drain line or
the sewer. Call a plumber.
Cracked tiles
Replacing the cracked or missing tiles in your bathroom is a
quick and easy way to make it look newer. To begin, find the
right color and size of tile for the ones you want to replace.
Use a grout saw to scrape the grout out around damaged or
missing tiles. Break damaged tiles into pieces with a hammer and
pry them out. Apply adhesive to the back of the new tiles and
press them into place. Let the adhesive dry before applying
grouting, which comes with instructions. You can use this
technique to replace plain tiles with decorative tile, as well.
If you are looking to retile your entire bathroom, consider
hiring a contractor to do the work.
Replacing a washer in your sink
A dripping faucet can quickly drive you crazy. Most leaky
faucets simply need a new washer. Before replacing the washer,
turn off the hot and cold water supply valves (usually located
under your sink). Locate the screw at the top of the faucet
handles (it may have a decorative cover to conceal it). Unscrew
and remove the faucet handles. Use an adjustable wrench to
loosen the hexagonal nut and remove the upright metal stem
inside. You will see the washer at the bottom of the stem, held
by a screw. Remove the screw and take the washer to the hardware
store to make sure you buy the correct size replacement. Once
you have put the new washer in place, reverse your steps to
replace the faucet handle. If your faucet continues to leak,
call your plumber.
Related Articles:
|
