Depending on the person, plumbing “emergencies” can range in severity from a leaky tap to an actual emergency plumbing issue – like a pipe bursting while you’re trying to sleep. Generally, we advise leaving it to the professionals, but there are cases where you can fix certain problems yourself. These tips are designed to help you fix small problems so you don’t have to call an emergency plumber. However, minor plumbing problems can be a sign that there are major issues present. If you have any concerns and want to avoid an emergency plumbing issue, get in contact with your local Brisbane plumber. With that said, let’s get into the tips.
DIY Emergency Plumbing Tip 1: Buy a decent plunger
A lot of people assume that all plungers are the same, but some are better than others. Don’t just buy the cheapest plunger. Get a high-quality plunger to ensure you can fix any basic clogging issues. You don’t want to have to call an emergency plumber when the head pops off your $2 plumber. For a bonus tip, consider getting two plungers. A lot of people don’t want to use the same plumber for their toilet and their sink. Plus, different plungers work best for different things. Your traditional plunger works better for sinks than a toilet, while a flange plunger is better for toilets. Regardless, consider having two plungers handy for the different jobs.
DIY Plumbing Tip 2: If you don’t have a plunger, trying unclogging without it
If you don’t happen to have a plunger handy, consider trying a plunger free unclogging method. A good place to start is vinegar and baking soda. If your sink is draining slowly but isn’t fully clogged, start by pouring a jug of boiling water down the sink. Then pour a cup of baking soda directly into the sink and let it sit for 10 minutes. Afterwards, pour a cup of vinegar down the sink. Let this sit for 15 minutes and pour another jug of boiling water down the sink. Once complete, your sink should be running smoothly. This is a simple way to avoid calling the emergency plumber by using everyday items you probably already have.
DIY Plumbing Tip 3: How to deal with leaking fixtures
A leaking tap may not seem like a big problem at first, but it will cost you a lot of money on your water bill in the long run. Plus, you don’t want the drips becoming a bigger issue for an emergency plumber. The easiest way to fix a leak is by looking for places to tighten or adjust the fixtures. However, if you’ve tried this and it didn’t work, make sure you call a professional Brisbane plumber.
DIY Emergency Plumbing Tip 4: How to fix low shower pressure
Low shower pressure may not be a problem for an emergency plumber, but it certainly is disappointing when you’re in there. Low shower pressure can be caused by several things but the most common is the showerhead. If your shower head is getting a bit old or looking worse for wear, a new one is fairly cheap and easy to replace yourself.
DIY Emergency Plumbing Tip 5: When in doubt, turn the water off
Whether you’re trying to tighten a tap, or you’ve called an emergency plumber for a bigger issue, turn the water supply off. Generally, the main valve is near your water meter. Or, if the issue is localised, find the valve near the problem to turn it off. These valves can usually be found under the sink or behind the toilet.
Experiencing a real plumbing emergency?
Like we said at the start, there are “emergencies” and emergencies. If you’re experiencing a plumbing emergency, the sooner you call an emergency plumber the better. For fast, reliable emergency plumbers anywhere in Brisbane, call The Brisbane Plumbers now on 0450 932 850.