Plumbing mishaps rarely seem to happen during normal business hours, and few things ruin an otherwise enjoyable evening or weekend faster than an unexpected plumbing situation. Fortunately, anyone who's even marginally handy with basic household maintenance tasks can usually apply a fix that lasts until a plumbing professional can arrive on the scene. The following are three common plumbing emergencies and what you can do to keep them from raining on your leisure time parade.
1. Drippy Kitchen Faucet
It's hard to relax in your living room when there's a dripping faucet in the kitchen making any annoying noise. The most common cause of leaky faucets is that the nuts at the base have come loose and need to be tightened with a wrench. If that turns out not to be the case, it's likely that the circular washer within the faucet has become worn and needs to be replaced. Most homeowners keep extras on hand, but if you don't have any, just turn the water supply valve located underneath the sink until you get buy a washer or get a plumber to look at the situation.
2. Slow Bathroom Drain
Clearing a slow drain depends on the initial cause of the problem. Chemically sourced commercial drain cleaners may work in a pinch. If you don't have them on hand or prefer to find a more eco-friendly solution, try using a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar. Measure 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar while bringing a saucepan full of water to a full boil. Slowly pour in the baking soda followed by the vinegar and then pour in the boiling water. Place a sink-stopper in the drain hole to keep the mixture contained in the pipes. You may have to repeat this process to see optimal results. If the problem reoccurs, it's more than just a simple clog and could indicate an issue with your sewer system. Don't hesitate to give Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning a call if this appears to be the case.
3. Clogged Showerhead
Clogged showerheads can usually be rectified by a good cleaning. Use a sharp toothpick to remove as much of the material clogging the individual holes in the showerhead as possible, and then soak it in a solution of warm water and white vinegar for an hour or two.
Keep in mind that if a situation arises that doesn't have an easy fix, you can always count on us to provide top quality emergency plumbing services.