Homeowners all over the country are constantly facing plumbing woes like clogged pipes, leaking faucets, damaged fixtures, and routine maintenance needs. As much as we all need professional plumbers to support us during these types of scenarios, it’s also crucial for homeowners to understand some basic DIY plumbing techniques.

And as we all know, when plumbing issues get neglected, they often pop up at inopportune times. This can include holiday gatherings and parties when you need your plumbing system operating correctly.

So below we’ll be going over five super simple DIY plumbing basics that all homeowners should know, which can help you avoid all sorts of issues related to your property’s plumbing system!

Mending Damaged Pipes

Pipe damages and malfunctions can occur without much warning signs, and these scenarios always require a plumbing specialist to check things out and conduct proper repair work. However, there are some scenarios in which homeowners can conduct their own DIY pipe inspections and mending to avoid extra emergency plumbing costs.

So if you can temporarily mend a damaged pipe, it can go a long way to avoid water damages until your plumber can arrive at your home. The main thing you’ll want to do is locate your home’s shutoff valve and turn it off. This will turn off the water supply to your entire property, which can help alleviate any leaks. You can also use duct tape or electrical tape to cover up a pipe leak as a temporary fix until your plumber shows up.

Installing Pipe Insulation

A lot of people have to wait a significant amount of time just to get hot water to come from their faucets, and this type of issue can sometimes be connected to your piping insulation.

So one good DIY plumbing technique is to add an insulation layer to your supply pipes, because this will keep them a little bit warmer. This type of insulation project can also help homeowners save on their monthly energy costs as well.

Although professional plumbers could be useful for this type of job, it can largely be done as a DIY home improvement project. All you’ll really need to do is locate your property’s hot water pipes, and then add a layer of protection on these pipes. Foam pipe sleeves and pipe wraps can be found at any home improvement store, and you’ll duct tape these seals to finish your pipe insulation installation.

Changing Out Showerheads

If you’re not satisfied with your current showerhead, you should definitely consider getting a new one. There are all sorts of cutting-edge showerheads available in today’s marketplace, so there’s no reason to suffer with an outdated or damaged model.

The first step of this DIY plumbing project is to shut off the water supply to your shower. Once the water has been turned off, you’ll then simply unscrew your existing showerhead. You’ll also want to examine the showerhead for any signs of rust, and you may need a wrench to get your showerhead fully removed.

You’ll then clean out the fitting area and use a thread sealing tape to better protect the fixture’s wrapping. You’ll then follow your new showerhead’s installation instructions to make sure it’s properly fitted into your shower.

Installing & Replacing Faucet Aerators

Faucet aerators are found at the very end of a bathroom or kitchen sink faucet, and these devices help the water stream out easier and smoother. Over time, faucet aerators tend to get worn out, which will necessitate a replacement.

All you’ll really need to do for this DIY project is remove the faucet’s existing aerators by rotating the tip of the faucet counter-clockwise. You’ll then clean up any sediment deposits or dirt found within the device, prior to installing the new aerator by rotating clockwise.

Unclogging a Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals are prone to getting clogged due to all sorts of factors, so when clogs occur within your garbage disposal, it’s a serious issue that needs to be addressed quickly. Although a professional plumber might be needed for this repair job, it’s possible that you could unclog your garbage disposal on your own.

What you’ll need to do is use a pair of pliers to remove your sink’s P-trap, and have a bucket ready to catch any pipe contents that could fall out. You’ll then clean out any clogs, and simply reassemble the P-trap and drain pipe into the proper fittings.

Contact The Plumbing Experts at Beehive Plumbing For More DIY Tips & Tricks!

There are so many awesome DIY plumbing tips and tricks out there, and this page is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what all homeowners should understand about their plumbing systems.

You can learn more DIY plumbing tips from the Beehive Plumbing experts by going through the link to their website at the top of this page!