5 Ways To Effectively Address Common Bathroom Issues
Among the various parts of the house, the bathroom is perhaps where most issues occur. Drain clogs, toilet smell, faucet leaks, and low water pressure are just a few examples of such issues.
While your first thought might be to call a plumber right away, it’s important to note that you don’t necessarily have to seek the help of a professional, especially for simple problems. With the right tools and knowledge, you should be able to fix minor issues within a couple of minutes on your own. In that regard, here are seven ways to effectively address common bathroom issues.
Here are 5 effective ways to address common bathroom issues
1. Tighten The Flapper Of A Running Toilet
A running toilet is one of the most annoying problems that can happen to your bathroom. Not only does it make a mess in the general area of the bathroom, but a running toilet can also increase your bills as it keeps wasting water, turning it into an expensive issue for homeowners. But as you may have guessed, this is one of those issues that you can address by yourself.
All you have to do is check the flapper and see if it is loose. Just tighten it up and see if that fixes the issue. If not, then the problem might be a bit more severe than you think. Since this type of problem can increase your water bill the longer it goes on, it’s advisable to fix a running toilet as soon as possible. In this scenario, hiring a plumber might be your best bet.
Make sure your water isn’t running all the time
2. Use A Screwdriver To Tighten A Wobbly Toilet Seat
When you sit on your toilet and feel as though the seat is moving too much, there’s a good chance that the toilet seat is loose, which, while not very noticeable, may lead to accidents.
It should be possible to tighten a wobbly toilet seat using a screwdriver:
- You need to find the two bolts that hold the seat to the bowl.
- The bolts are typically covered with a plastic lid. Lift up this lid to expose the heads of each bolt.
- Position the seat in the center of the toilet.
- Use a screwdriver to turn the bolts clockwise, effectively tightening the toilet seat.
3. Unclog Pipes With Simple Household Items
Clogged pipework is yet another common bathroom issue, and with it comes several other problems. For one, water may accumulate within clogged pipes. After a certain amount of time, the stagnant water and sewage may produce an unpleasant smell, which can be harmful to the health of everyone at home. Clogged pipes can also cause structural damage to your home.
Fortunately, you can unclog pipes in your bathroom using everyday items. For example, you can pour boiling water down the drains. Baking soda and vinegar may also have the same effect.
Fix the clogged pipes
4. Clean Or Replace The Shower head To Increase Water Pressure
You may notice now and then that the various utilities inside your bathroom, such as the shower or faucets, generate lower volumes of water than usual. This might be a sign that you’re facing any issue with your water pressure. While most experts would suggest installing a component that would increase water pressure, there are cheaper ways to address this issue.
To begin, you can clean the shower head to make sure more water can get out. You can do the same for other utilities in your bathroom, such as the sink, faucet, or bathtub. If that didn’t work for the shower, you should consider buying a new shower head to replace the old one.
5. Plunge A Clogged Toilet
Of course, you shouldn’t forget about clogged toilets, which are perhaps the most common and frustrating bathroom issues. Clogged toilets typically occur when items that don’t dissolve are flushed down the toilet. These may include baby wipes/diapers and cotton balls. Yes, while they may be advertised as flushable, they aren’t, unlike toilet papers that are made to be flushable.
Fortunately, as common as it may be, it’s fairly easy to fix. You simply need to use a plunger and pump your way out of this problem. But of course, there are cases where this may not be enough.
If a plunger isn’t enough, you can make use of vinegar and baking soda, much like how you unclog pipes. Simply pour a cup of baking soda followed by two cups of vinegar. Wait for at least 30 minutes, then flush. If this doesn’t work, it might be time to seek the help of a plumber.
Use a plunger for a clogged toilet
Final Thoughts
There are countless other bathroom issues you may encounter during the entire lifespan of your house. If you’re planning on hiring a plumber every time there’s a problem, you’ll eventually end up spending thousands. However, take note that there are certain issues you can’t DIY your way out of. If you’re not confident fixing a particular issue, it’s always best to hire a plumber.