Basic Plumbing Maintenance Skills Every Homeowner Should Learn

Contributed post.

As a homeowner, you have surely come across a few plumbing-related things that need to be fixed over time. After all, normal wear and tear occurs simply because you live in your home and use it as you should. There comes a time when you will need to either hire a professional to handle your repairs or take a more self-sufficient approach and do it yourself. It is especially important to understand how to repair things that are water-related. Failing to do so sooner rather than later may lead to water damage and even flooding within your home.

Of note, don’t be a hero and try to fix something complicated that is beyond your scope, as it can lead to more problems. Keep reading to learn some maintenance skills that you can, indeed, take on with confidence.

Prolong the life of your washing machine.

Washing machines are essential to keep your family in clean clothes and to ensure a functional home. If the washing machine breaks and dirty clothing begins piling up, nobody’s having a good day. 

To maintain this important appliance, you should learn some basic DIY skills, and a great one to start with is learning how to fix the seal of your washer. This seemingly simple rubber ring is vital to prevent water from leaking and causing unnecessary damage to your home. Once you have replaced it, keep the new one clean to prevent mold and mildew from building up on the seal, which will decrease its life.

Repair a leaky faucet.

​Leaky faucets are not only annoying due to their monotonous dripping intrusion on your daily life. They also cost you more money on your monthly utility bill since the water going down the drain adds up very quickly. In addition, a small leak can easily turn into a broken faucet and unchecked water spewing out over time.

Watch this quick video to learn how to avoid these potential problems and fix a leaky faucet before it becomes a bigger problem.

​​

Unclog a toilet.

​This one is not on anyone’s list, but it has to be done. Learning to clear an unwanted, unsightly, and smelly clog is a good skill to have at the ready. And once you learn how, go ahead and teach the rest of your family if they are old enough to take care of it on their own.

Start by grabbing the basic supplies: Cleaners (for when you are finished), rubber gloves, a plunger, an old plastic cup or small container, and a bucket. If the toilet bowl is full, use the old cup or container to remove half of the liquid from the toilet into the bucket. Next, begin plunging. Tilt the plunger head so it fills with water, as it's forceful plunging of water (not air!!) that is key for pushing the clog through. It may take a few minutes. Once the clog clears, flush the bowl’s contents. Dump the liquid in the bucket back into the toilet and flush again. Now it is time to begin cleaning your tools!​​

​​Now that you have some new skills under your belt, it is time to go forward with confidence. Be proactive and fix any problems before they become too big to handle on your own. You will be so proud that you can do it yourself.