When your toilet is running, it can be frustrating to deal with. Fortunately, there are a few quick fixes that will help resolve the problem.
1. Fixing a running toilet
First, turn off the water supply to the toilet. Next, remove the lid and seat from your toilet by unscrewing them using an adjustable wrench or channel locks. You should then be able to see a chain under your valve. This is what controls whether or not water flows into your bowl when you flush it. To stop a running toilet, simply pull on this chain while pressing down on either side of where it connects to another part of your plumbing system; if this doesn’t work, then try pulling harder until it does! If your chain breaks during this process (which can happen), simply replace it with one found at any hardware store or home improvement center nearby. Make sure its length matches up with yours before buying one before thigns worsen further down line later.
2. Snaking a drain
The snake is a tool that you can use to remove blockages and clear stubborn clogs. It consists of a long, flexible metal cable with an attached wire brush at the end.
First, turn off the water supply to your sink or bathtub and flush out any remaining water. Next, use a bucket or bowl to catch any excess water from your drain once you’ve turned off the faucet completely. If you’re working on toilets, do not flush them while snaking because this could cause overflow damage or flooding in some cases!
Now it’s time for action! Simply insert your drain snake into the drain opening and push it up through until you feel resistance against it. This means that there has been some buildup blocking access through there. At this point, begin rotating the cable clockwise (or counterclockwise depending on which way it needs turning) until debris comes loose enough that it can be removed, depending on what type of clog was found inside the first place (inside toilet only identifies whether something other than solid waste got stuck).
3. Unclogging a garbage disposal
- Use a plumbers snake to clean out the disposal.
- Use a toothbrush to clean the disposal.
- Use a lemon to clean the disposal.
- Use baking soda and vinegar solution to clean the disposal.
4. How to turn off the main water line
If you need to turn off the main water line, here’s what you should do:
- Find your turn-off valve and turn it until it’s fully closed. This can be either clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on how your particular valve is set up.
- Open one end of each pipe (such as faucets and toilets) in your house using wrenches so that no more water flows through them when they are turned off at this point in time; otherwise, there may be pressure issues later on during repair work!
5. Insulating pipes
- Use a fire-resistant material, such as foam or pipe insulation, to insulate pipes.
- Foam pipe insulation is available at most hardware stores and online. You can use it to insulate pipes that are exposed to high temperatures, such as those in the bathroom or kitchen.
- Pipe wrap is also available at most hardware stores and online. It can be used for both indoor and outdoor applications on either plastic or metal pipes. Some types of pipe wrap are designed for specific types of pipes, such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or copper plumbing systems; make sure you’re using the correct type for your application before purchasing any kind of pipe wrap product!
Knowing how to take care of these problems will save you time, money and stress. You can avoid expensive plumbing bills by keeping a few simple tools on hand and knowing how to use them. If you have any doubt about your ability to fix a problem yourself, contact Roto-Rooter for help, (251) 219-0633. We proudly serve the Mobile, AL and Baldwin County, AL area and are more than happy to help address any plumbing issue you throw our way!
