Homeowner's Guide to Plumbing Maintenance and Repairs

We’re always happy to tackle homeowners' plumbing needs. But we also believe in helping ordinary folks save money and avoid unnecessary repairs.

You don't have to be a plumbing expert to keep your system in tip-top condition—just a little know-how, elbow grease, and this handy guide to plumbing. Here’s how to get started with your homeowner's plumbing maintenance routine.

Cost Savings of Preventive Maintenance

Preventative maintenance isn’t just about peace of mind—it’s a smart way to save money while protecting your plumbing system.

• Catch minor issues early: Ignoring a slow drip under your kitchen sink might save you cash in the short term, but it could also damage your cabinets and cause mold growth. Addressing these issues will cost much more than you’d spend fixing the leak.
• Reduce wear and tear: Flushing your water heater, for example, might feel like a nuisance, but neglecting this simple task leads to mineral buildup that reduces efficiency and damages your tank. That little bit you spend every year draining your tank is a drop in the bucket compared to replacement costs.
• Avoid emergency repairs: While we’re on call 24/7 for emergency services, scheduling service during normal operating hours is much cheaper. Don’t wait for minor issues to blow up in the middle of the night. Follow this guide to plumbing to prevent emergencies.

DIY Fixes: Essential Homeowner’s Plumbing Tips

Fix a Leaky Faucet

Faucet leaks are often caused by a worn-out washer, a loose O-ring, or a faulty cartridge. To address drips:

• Turn off the water under the sink.
• Open the faucet valve to drain the remaining water.
• Remove the faucet handle. If there’s a screw behind the handle, use a hex key to remove it. If the handle has a top screw, pop off the cover and loosen the screw with a Phillips screwdriver.
• Remove the faucet stem or cartridge: With the handle off, use pliers to loosen the nut, then pull the stem or cartridge up and out.
• Inspect the parts: Check the washer, O-ring, and cartridge. If they are damaged, take these parts to the hardware store and buy exact replacements.
• Reassemble in reverse order!

Monthly Check: Check faucets in high-use areas like the bathroom and kitchen for slow leaks. Inspect faucet handles to ensure they’re not too tight or loose—this can prevent long-term wear.

Annual Check: Inspect washers, O-rings, and cartridges every year, especially those in high-use areas.

Unclog Your Drain

Slow drains are generally caused by accumulated hair and soap. While it is tempting to reach for caustic drain cleaning solutions, we do not recommend it for a couple of reasons: They generally don’t work and can damage your pipes. Instead, try these homeowners' plumbing solutions:

• Try a “zip strip,” a narrow plastic strip with barbs on the edges. This tool is specifically designed to remove hair.
• Fill your sink halfway with hot water, place a sink-only plunger over the drain, cover the sink overflow with a wash cloth, and pump the plunger up and down.
• Use a hand- or drill-powered snake. Note: Do not snake through your sink drain as you could damage the porcelain. Instead, remove the P-drap and feed the snake through the pipe.

Monthly Check: Run hot water through bathroom sinks and tubs to dissolve soap scum and oil. Use a drain cover to capture hair and debris in showers and tubs. Check for slow drains; this is often a sign of small build-ups that could become bigger clogs.

Annual Check: Snake your drains annually, particularly in areas where clogs are more common.

Stop a Running Toilet

Tired of “jiggling” the handle to stop a running toilet? You may need to replace a worn flapper or a malfunctioning float.

The flapper is that rubber seal at the bottom of the tank that lifts when you flush. If it looks warped or brittle or does not sit properly over the valve, it’s probably not sealing tightly. The good news is that replacements are cheap and snap into place—no tools necessary.

Monthly Check: Listen for minor toilet running or if the toilet fills for longer than necessary. A slight sound might indicate a worn flapper or improper float setting.

Annual Check: Check the water level in the tank; if it’s rising to the overflow tube, the float may need to be adjusted.

If the flapper is in working order, check if the float is set too high, causing water to spill into the overflow tube. Try bending the float arm downward (for older ball floats) or turning the adjustment screw on the fill valve (for newer floats) to lower the water level below the top of the overflow tube.

Replace a Showerhead

Mineral buildup doesn’t just accumulate in hot water heaters. It can also clog showerheads. While regular cleaning can extend the showerhead's lifespan, sometimes it’s time for replacement.

Simply unscrew the old showerhead, remove any buildup on the pipe threads with a cloth or brush, apply fresh plumbers tape (white, not yellow!), and screw on the new head. The job only takes about five minutes and will drastically improve water flow and pressure.

Monthly Check: Soak the showerhead in a vinegar solution (or a commercial descaling product) to remove mineral buildup. This will improve water pressure and prevent clogs.

Annual Check: Clean pipe threads every year to ensure a tight seal and prevent leaks.

When It’s Time to Call a Professional

While many plumbing tasks can be solved the DIY way, sometimes you need a helping hand. If you’re experiencing persistent leaks, unusual sounds, or foul odors, give us a call. Our team of licensed plumbers is on call and ready to tackle these more complex issues. Contact us today!