Unconventional Home Plumbing Hacks
Do you feel like your pockets aren’t staying as full as you’d like when there’s another plumbing issue at your home? Do you wish you could take a crack at dealing with those frustrating drips, leaks and clogs, rather than waiting for a professional? Well, you’ve come to the right place, because we’re going to give you a bunch of tips, tricks and plumbing hacks to take the pain out of plumbing fixes and save you money, time and stress.
1. The Power of Baking Soda and Vinegar
Let’s start with an old standby: the volcanic duo of baking soda and vinegar. Not just for fifth-grade volcano projects, this magical mixture is a hell of a drain cleaner, too. Pour a cup of baking soda down your sink or tub drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. Let it do its thing for half an hour or so and then flush it down with hot water. The fizzing action will get your sink unclogged and leave your drains as good as new.
2. Plunge Like a Pro
It seems simple, but you’d be surprised at how many people get this one wrong. For sink drains (but not toilets), make sure you’re able to create a seal all the way around the drain and then pull up with your plunger. For toilets, make sure the cup is entirely submerged in water before you plunge. And, either way, you have to be using a plunger with a flange or lip so that it’s able to create a seal and a tight suction.
3. Duct Tape Fixes Everything (Temporarily)
Leaking pipe? Wetsuit tear? Crack in your bathtub? No worries – there’s always duct tape for that! Duct tape is not a long-term solution, but it can often work wonders as a stopgap until someone can come and do the job right. Duct tape is not designed for a permanent solution, and you should dry and dehumidify the area thoroughly before putting the duct tape on, but it will do until a permanent solution can be implemented.
4. The Hairdryer Thaw
Frozen pipes aren’t nice, especially in wintertime. So, if you have a frozen pipe that needs thawing, don’t touch the blowtorch. Instead, reach to the hairdryer. Put it on the frozen section of the pipe and move it back and forth until all the ice has melted. The hairdryer should always be on the low setting however, to save the pipe!
5. The Wet/Dry Vacuum Trick
If you have a clog that just won’t go away, grab a wet/dry vac. Just put the nozzle of the vacuum over the opening of the drain. Try to seal the drain hole with it. Turn the vac on high and hope for the best. Sometimes, the suction from a vacuum can open the drain, and you’re back in business.
With these quick plumbing life hacks in your toolkit, you’ll be ready to attempt solving some plumbing problems yourself. If you do need a hand, remember, we’re just a phone call away.
