No one likes to spend money on home repairs, but it’s inevitable. If you’re looking to save a few bucks, you can try to fix some of your home’s draining issues on your own. There are a few simple tasks you can handle before you call an Evanston plumber. Find out about some of these easy fixes, and you may be able to put off a call to the professionals.

How to Unclog a Toilet

First, you should know how to unclog a toilet. Sure, you could grab a plunger and get to work. But there isn’t always a plunger around to help you. If you find yourself with a clogged toilet and no plunger, you don’t need to fret. There could be an easy fix that doesn’t involve you running to the store or calling a plumber. 

To start your repair, you need a few supplies on hand. You need hot water and a trashcan can or a big cup. Furthermore, you must know how to turn off the water to your toilet. This is something every homeowner should know because you never want your toilet to overflow into your bathroom. Typically, the valve is located on the wall and under the toilet. 

The other option is to close the flapper in the tank. Before you do this, you need to take the toilet tank cover off and remove the chain that connects to the flapper. Because the water in the tank is clean and from your water supply, you don’t need to worry about contamination or germs.

The Next Steps

Next, fill up the trash can or large cup with hot water. Use the hottest water you can find. Then. Pour the hot water into the toilet. If there’s any toilet paper or waste clogging the plumbing, the water might break it up. You don’t need to worry about using a plunger to get the job done.

If the hot water doesn’t work, you can add soap to the water. This might help the waste break down. Of course, there’s no guarantee that this will work. You might need to call a plumber. In the very worst case scenario, you will need a sewer line replacement.

How to Unclog a Bathroom or Shower Drain

If your sink or shower drain has a clog, you may be able to fix the issue on your own. While most property owners just deal with slow drains, doing so could lead to future problems. Even a small clog is a sign of trouble and needs immediate removal.

Rather than put your plumbing in jeopardy or call a professional plumber, you can get a simple solution. The majority of bathroom clogs come from hair or soap scum. First, remove your stopper and check it for hair or debris. Then, clean Your stopper with soap and water.

Before you replace the stopper, check the drain for clogs. Either use a store-bought drain hook or make your own with a clothes hanger. If you have old plumbing, be very careful not to scrape the pipes. In older homes, the plumbing is vulnerable to breaking. 

Dealing with a Pivot Rod

In some cases, sinks have pivot rods. You can’t pull out the stopper without removing the pivot rod. If you want to clean your drains, you need to remove the rod by loosening the pivot rod nut with pliers. After that, pull out the pivot rod, and you should be able to slide out the stopper. You can then check the drain for soap scum or other blockages. 

You should know that this might remove some debris but won’t necessarily resolve your drain problems. Your drains go through a great deal of abuse and develop some major clogs. Once a blockage forms deep in your plumbing, there’s no easy way to remove it. 

What DIY Methods Don’t Work?

If you look online for ways to clear your drains, you can find many other methods. However, those methods aren’t necessarily safe or effective. You need to proceed with caution and avoid DIY fixes that can do damage to your plumbing.

One of the worst things you can do to your pipes is to use a drain cleaner. Although most stores sell chemical drain cleaning products, those products do more harm than good. They don’t always work to clear your drains, and even if they do, the chemicals can damage your pipes. After repeated use, chemical drain cleaners can do irreparable damage.

Another method you might use to remove a clog is a drain snake. But once again, your efforts could hurt your plumbing. If your home is several decades old or older, your plumbing is vulnerable to damage. As you try to navigate the drain snake through your pipes, the snake could cause a leak.

The Importance of Calling a Plumber

Homeowners often prefer DIY plumbing solutions because they save money. But what they don’t realize is that their efforts could cost them money. If you accidentally cause a leak in your plumbing, you need to deal with water damage, plumbing repairs, and more. The cost of one simple mistake could leave you in debt.

Likewise, waiting to address a plumbing problem is a recipe for disaster. A slow drain isn’t just an inconvenience. It’s an indication that you have a blockage in your plumbing. The longer you wait to address the blockage, the worse it will become. Hair collects more hair and soap scum, and it’s only a matter of time before water can no longer flow through your pipes. 

Call an Evanston Plumber

If you try a few of the tips above and still have issues with your drains, don’t hesitate to seek help. Here at J. Blanton Plumbing, we’ve seen too many people put off their repairs. In the end, your procrastination will only cost you.

We’ve spent years serving people in the community, and we want to help you. Whether you have a drain clog or another issue on your plate, let us help. Call us today, and we’ll send out an Evanston plumber ASAP.