Avoid Calling the Plumber with These 6 Tips and Tricks

While the team at Guin Services in Birmingham, AL, will happily come out to your residence for any plumbing issue, we know there are many people out there who’d rather take care of the problem themselves, if at all possible. From clogged drains to not having any hot water, there are a variety of issues we come across that not always, but sometimes, have an incredibly simple solution.

If you want to reduce your chances of having to call the plumber, check out these six tips and tricks that just might help you solve your plumbing problem all by yourself.

1. Grab the plunger. People seem to think that it’s just for a commode, but when the kitchen sink is stopped up, there’s nothing better to use than a plunger. To unclog a sink with a plunger, just use it the same way you would on a toilet. Hit the plunger three or four times, and it’ll wash on through. Then get you a Clorox wipe to wipe down the sink, and you’re good to go.
2. Use a coat hanger. On the other hand, if it’s hair that’s clogging up your sink, a coat hanger works great. Just remove the plug or drain cover and grab a wire coat hanger. Use needle-nose pliers to straighten the hanger out while leaving the hook. Be sure to make yourself a small loop or handle at the other end. Stick the hook into the drain and rotate the hanger as you push it down. Then pull it out, and just like that, you’ll have a hair-free drain.
3. Try a vinegar solution. Many people also aren’t aware that you can use a vinegar solution to remove calcium deposits from shower heads and faucets. By removing these deposits, you can restore water pressure while also reducing the chances of them getting clogged in the future. While this tip works great, if you’re having to do it more than once a year, you should talk to your plumber about getting a whole house water purifier.
4. Check your pilot light. Before you call a plumber to come out and see why you don’t have any hot water, check your pilot light. Or if your water heater is electric, make sure the gas is on, and all your breakers are working properly. You wouldn’t believe how many times we come out, flip a breaker panel, and the water heater is back on. We also recommend you check to see when you last paid your gas bill, as you wouldn’t be the first to accidentally miss a payment.
5. Be careful with drain cleaners. Liquid drain cleaners can undoubtedly work wonders when it comes to unclogging drains, but if you find yourself using it more than once a year, it’s probably time to call a plumber. While it may be a convenient solution at the time, if it’s used too much or too often, it can actually eat through your pipes, especially if you live in an older home. This obviously creates a much bigger problem than a clogged sink.  
6. Think twice before flushing. Just because something says its flushable, doesn’t mean it is. Whether wipes, hygiene products, or cotton swabs, just be aware that unless it’s toilet paper or coming from your body, it may not be the best thing for your plumbing. Simply being weary about what you flush down the toilet can greatly reduce your chances of having to call a plumber.

If you’re a do-it-yourself kind of person and want to at least try to fix your plumbing issue yourself before calling the plumber, use the tips and tricks above. These can not only help you fix a problem you’re having right now but can also help you avoid calls in the future. Of course, sometimes calling the plumber is unavoidable, and in that case, Guin Services is here for all your plumbing needs.