Contrary to popular belief, some broken or clogged drains don’t need plumbing repairs done by experts. Some issues allow people to handle them with the help of DIY tricks. They are free to use any solution they come across or ask others who have already tried out some of them. This approach saves time as well as money on plumbing repair expenses.
You just need to find out what the problem is and follow a process to prepare the area to perform DIY methods. But before that, it’s crucial to know what plumbing steps are helpful and can be done without the help of experts. When it comes to an easy and successful drain repair Toronto, the following fixes have proven to be the most reliable ones:
Unclog a Sink or Bathtub Without Chemicals
The rule of thumb is to take three non-chemical ingredients that are easily available in the kitchen: vinegar, salt and baking soda. Their mixture can a treat minor clogged drain. Just follow these steps and see how they work:
- Remove water from the clogged area
- Put one cup of baking soda into the drain
- Now pour a cup of salt followed by a cup of vinegar
- Wait for 10 minutes and let the chemical reaction work on the clogs
- Once done, flush with boiling water and see minor clogs draining through the pipes
Replace a Shower Drain Cover
There comes a time when showers are unable to perform well due to drain covers. There may be real signs of wear and tear as well as the accumulationn of bacterial debris.
- Take out the drain cover and take it to a hardware store in order to get a replacement
- Use either a chemical or non-chemical cleaner and clean the drain base with a hard bristle brush before installing the new cover. Make sure not to apply pressure; otherwise the surrounding tub/sink may become damaged.
- Now install the new cover
Replace the Drain Assembly
There are a lot of drains with a pop-up assembly feature that allows water to fill or drain as needed. Sometimes, the assembly may malfunction, thereby causing water to leak when there is a need to fill.
- Start by removing the trap (present underneath the sink) with the help of a monkey wrench or channel-type pliers.
- Remove the old assembly by unscrewing the nuts from old drain tailpiece and clear the sink afterwards.
- Wait until it is dry and take the old unit to the store so that you can find the exact size.
- Now replace the new drain according to instructions on the cover.
Necessary Safety Precautions
Safety comes first before starting any of the plumbing process. Whether the person is a veteran DIYer or performing it for the first type, it’s necessary to adhere to the following safety basics:
- Warning Labels: When there are many products involved in the process, be sure to consider all the warning labels. If a chemical plumbing drainage formula or power tool is employed, be careful with every move. Protect all belongings and take health measures as needed.
- Eye and Ear Protection: Use protective goggles to protect your eyes. With some chemicals, just one drop can damage your eyes. Wear headphones or ear plugs to avoid irreversible damage from high-pitched tool sounds.
- Face Mask: Be sure to wear a face mask in order to avoid contact with harmful particles from volatile organic compounds and plumbing drainage chemicals.
- Gloves: To avoid skin infections and other undesirable consequences, wear gloves while working with chemicals, tools, and hot water.
- Pipe Maps: It’s necessary to have a plumbing layout in order to find the shut-off valves. A pipe map help you figure out how best to shut them off.
Hire an Expert
Getting a drain repair Toronto plan from an expert can make a lot of difference to your plumbing performance. Some situations can work fine with DIY process while others need pro drain services Toronto to get the job done. The rule of thumb is to find reasonable services that also offer insurance coverage for certain damages. People can enjoy the following services from these professionals:
- Gas line
- Cooling system
- Exterior water service lines
- Water heater
- Interior plumbing and drainage
- Heating system preventative maintenance
- Heating system
- Exterior septic/sewer lines
- Exterior/interior electrical wiring