Plumbing

Turn off the toilet’s water shut-off valve to prevent the toilet from overflowing.  Use of a plunger and/or a bucket of hot water may get things flowing again.  If not, you can also try adding a squirt of dish soap and letting it sit for a little bit before trying to plunge again. When using the plunger place the rubber end of the plunger over the clog and push down with a fair amount of pressure.

A running toilet is a common problem. It’s also one of the most wasteful; it can waste tens or even hundreds of water gallons per day, which is terrible for both the environment and your monthly water bill.

A running toilet usually indicates that the flush valve in your toilet tank is not seating correctly and water is leaking from the tank into the bowl. This could be caused by the lift chain being tangled, faulty flapper or a problem with the flush valve itself.

Drains can clog for many reasons.  It could be hair, soap chips, food products and oil build up.  A plunger or chemical drain cleaners can be a good first step to unclogging drains. For more stubborn clogs, you can try a cable auger or plumber’s snake, a long, flexible steel cable wound around a spool that’s fitted with a hand crank.  If the clogging persists after a few attempts, turn the job over to a licensed plumber. Exerting too much force can permanently damage a pipe or fixture.

Dismantle the shower head, and scrub with an old toothbrush and vinegar solution. Let the shower head sit overnight in the vinegar to dissolve remaining deposits.  If you did not dismantle your shower head you can simply attach a bag with a cup of vinegar for it to soak overnight.

Mineral deposits on your shower head are a sign of hard water. Mineral buildup is not only unsightly, but it can wear out metal fixtures more quickly, and can even lead to plumbing failure inside of your pipes. A water softener removes most minerals from water, but without one you are susceptible to all types of mineral buildup.