How do I fix a clogged toilet? Sooner or later, we all have to seek the answer to that question. Fortunately, there are a few ways to accomplish what many consider to be a dirty job.
The first question you have to answer is "What is down there?" If you know it's a child's toy or other hard object, it may be time to call a plumber. If you end up pushing it further down the pipe and making it harder to get to, it could end up being more expensive to fix the problem.
The first question you have to answer is "What is down there?" If you know it's a child's toy or other hard object, it may be time to call a plumber. If you end up pushing it further down the pipe and making it harder to get to, it could end up being more expensive to fix the problem.
If the clog is, shall we say "organic", there are some options to getting the water flowing again. The first step is to get some rubber gloves on in case you need to "go deep" and place some paper towels or newspapers around the toilet to pick up the inevitable water that will splash out of the bowl.
5 Easy ways To Fix A Clogged Toilet
A good seal under water is required for a plunger to work properly. It's the force of water, not air, that will cause the clog to clear. If the bowl has drained, fill it with water from the sink until the plunger is under water. You can also run the plunger under hot water to soften the rubber to ensure a good seal.
Be careful with that first push, because there will be air in the seal. This is especially important if there is water in the toilet that you definitely don't want splashed around. Once you get a good seal, push and pull up firmly without breaking the seal. It can take ten to twenty pushes to dislodge a stubborn clog, so don't give up. Check your progress by breaking the seal and seeing if the water drains out. If it does, flush the toilet to see if it drains properly. If it does, congratulations. If not, make the seal and plunge again. Sometimes this cycle needs to be repeated three or four times before a clog is fully dislodged by being broken up or pushed down the drain.
Chemical drain cleaners have very caustic chemicals that should not be inhaled. Follow instructions and use only the specified amount. Also make sure that the product is specifically made for toilets. Make sure that the room is properly ventilated, and do not use a plunger after you pour the chemical in. You risk splashing it on your skin.
Frozen pipes are one of the biggest cold weather frustrations. When you go to turn on the water and you get silence instead of the familiar sound of flowing water, your pipes are frozen and you have a major problem on your hands.
Here are six ways you can keep your pipes from freezing before the next cold snap hits.
Open interior doors- Don't shut off the heat to individual rooms in your house, because plumbing goes everywhere. You never know when you are opening up a section of pipes to freezing by shutting interior doors. Also, open cabinet doors in bathrooms, kitchens and anywhere else you have plumbing. A little bit of heat in the right place could make a big difference.
There are also some
longer term solutions that you can put into place to keep your pipes from freezing.
Apply heating tape- Heating tape can be wrapped around exposed pipes to bring warmth directly to the source. You can buy it with an internal thermostat that will sense when heat is needed so it goes on and off automatically. If you prefer a cheaper option, you can simply plug it in and it will stay on all the time. Using tape with constant current requires you to unplug it during warmer months. Either option requires you to check on the heat tape periodically to make sure that there are no electrical issues that could cause a fire.
Add extra insulation-
Pipes located in basements, attics or other areas with lighter insulation are more vulnerable to freezing. You can insulate the pipes themselves with foam rubber or fiberglass sleeves, or insulate the entire space.
It's that first cold day of the year. You turn on the heat and suddenly you are hit with an odor.
The answer depends on the problem. Let's talk about the most serious one first.
Nobody likes mold. It's bad enough when it's on your bread, but it's worse if it's in your walls or carpet. Once it gets a foothold, it's hard to get rid of. Mold can even cause health problems for those with allergies or respiratory issues.
Reasons to have a Carbon Monoxide detector
Every year, almost 200 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning, with thousands more visiting the emergency room. Many victims die in their sleep without ever knowing that a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas is slowly killing them. Carbon monoxide is produced when fuel is not completely burned. If you have an appliance that uses natural gas such as a stove or clothes dryer, or you have a fireplace or a space heater, you are at risk for carbon monoxide exposure. Any
home heating system that burns fuel like natural gas or propane is also a potential risk.
What You Need To Know About Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Is your water pressure too low? Here are some ways you can increase the water pressure in your home.
First, you need to find out what you have to work with. Put a water pressure test gauge on an outside spigot and see what the pressure is. They cost about ten dollars if you don't have one. If it's below 40 psi, which is on the low end of standard, then it's time to do some more digging. Standard water pressure is 45 to 55 psi.
What do you do if your water heater is leaking?
The first thing to do is find out where the water is actually coming from. Like many other problems, some are easier, and cheaper, to fix than others.
The first place to start is at the top with the water supply lines.
You may be seeing water on the floor, but that doesn't mean that it came from the bottom of the water heater. Look at where the water lines come into the room and follow them all the way down to the top of the tank. If you find water, try to trace the source.
Flexible water supply tubes have been known to fail long before the water heater itself is ready to retire. If there is insulation, be sure to remove it to see if it is wet underneath. To replace the flex lines turn off the water supply and the water heater itself. If you feel like the job is too big for you, call a licensed plumber.
If you have changed the water supply tubes and you are still seeing leakage, the next items to check are the water heater's nipples where the water is taken in to be heated. Water heater nipples are difficult to remove, but it can be done. Just be careful not to damage the water heater in the process. Again, make sure the water supply is turned off and the water heater is off before beginning the process.
Flexible water supply tubes have been known to fail long before the water heater itself is ready to retire. If there is insulation, be sure to remove it to see if it is wet underneath. To replace the flex lines turn off the water supply and the water heater itself. If you feel like the job is too big for you, call a licensed plumber.
"What is that SMELL?"
Those are usually the first words that come to mind when you discover that your sink smells like rotten eggs.
