Quick Fixes for Common Bathroom Plumbing Problems

Did you know that leaks in the home waste more than 10,000 gallons of water each year? Save money and water by staying on top of wear, tear, and repair. Here are some quick fixes to common bathroom problems.

A Screeching Faucet

If your faucet sings to you as you turn the knob, you may need to fix the rubber washer. You can buy an inexpensive kit at most hardware stores. However, if your faucet is old, the screeching may be its final swan song. Replace the whole faucet instead.

If it’ll be a day or two before you get around to replacing the washer in your dripping faucet, tie a long piece of string around the mouth of the faucet. That way, the water runs down the string into the drain instead of dripping loudly into the sink.

The stream of water spits instead of flows

Your aerator, the screw-on screen at the tip of the faucet, may need to be cleaned. Unscrew the aerator and clean the mineral deposits that have accumulated over time. If it’s completely clogged with crusted deposits, you can purchase an inexpensive new aerator from the local hardware store or home center.

The toilet won’t stop running

The most common cause of a leaky toilet is a worn flapper valve. If your toilet is constantly running, replace the flapper and save nearly 200 gallons of water per day. However, before your replace it, check to see that there isn’t another culprit.

• Inspect the area around the flapper valve and remove any mineral deposits that may have collected around the rim.
• Make sure the chain is the correct length—if it’s too short, the valve won’t close property.
• Check to ensure that there’s nothing impeding the valve from closing, such as the dispenser for the toilet bowl cleaner.

A dripping toilet tank

While some sweat on the toilet tank is normal, dripping may indicate a leak. To find out if your toilet is leaking, squirt a few drops of food coloring into the tank. If the color shows up on the floor, look for cracks on the tank or loose connections going into the tank.

**Remember to call a licensed plumber if you have a more complicated plumbing problem.

Source: Environmental Protection Agency