Unclogging a ToiletThe best tip that I have heard is about how to unplug your toilet. I don't know about you, but to me a plugged toilet is the worst. Who wants to deal with peoples' ... output. I'm always afraid of it flooding over on to my bathroom floor. No fun!
Why Some Repair Bills Do Not Have to Show UpI had a problem with my washing machine. The pipe that drained the dirty water was clogged, so dirty water was flowing out of it and into the bottom of the house. I have a home warranty but I also have "a guy." He comes over for $20, while the home warranty comes over for $100.
Unclog Your Bath Sink DrainFind the overflow outlet for the sink. Then cover the overflow outlet using duct tape or something similar. Get some water in the sink bowl and use a plunger. The tape over the overflow vents will stop air from entering as you are using the plunger. This will work for a bathtub.
Caution on Flushable WipesWe had a big clog in our main pipe and had to get a plumber. He found a lot of wipes, and we don't have a baby. The plumber said there are makeup remover wipes, wet wipes, and cleaning wipes, to name a few. He said even if the container says is flushable, will not disintegrate and will clog up the pipes eventually.
Unclogging Cat Litter from a ToiletI made the mistake of throwing a large clump of clumping kitty litter down the toilet. Here are some tricks I used to unclog it:
Clean Holes Where Water Enters ToiletWatch where the water comes out and goes into the toilet bowl. There are about 50 or so holes to allow that water to flush. If they are restricted, it will impede the flow. Take an ice pick or nail and poke each one of the holes.
Tools For Unclogging the BathtubI was so happy to find these handy tools at Lowe's. No more using wire to unclog the bathroom sink, and the cute little bathtub plunger, was so colorful to pass up!
Long Feathers for Clogged Kitchen DrainI live in the country, and have a septic system, and a "gray water" system, into which our kitchen sink drains. We have to be very careful about not clogging it with food or other particles. One day, I decided to try a bit of Rid-X in the sink as I was used to putting it into the septic system...
Wet Vac to Unclog ToiletI had a clogged toilet that I could not fix! I tried the dawn soap, an auger, taking off the toilet and snaking the drain, vinegar and baking soda, drain cleaner; nothing worked, until . . .
Pickle Juice for Clogged DrainsWe all have had clogged drains and like many I go to my faithful baking soda and vinegar. Which I did 2 times. I must tell you that usually this always works, even if you notice a drain that is slow to drain.
Fixing a Slow Tub DrainFor slow drains in old houses, pour a bottle of bleach down the tub drain once a month in the evening. In the morning, heat up a tea kettle and pour one gallon of water down the drain.
Cleaning a Shower HeadTo clear a clogged shower head, boil it about 15 minutes in a mixture of 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 quart water.
Tips For Unclogging DrainsI have read many ways to unclog a drain. I have also tried many ways. However, the one way that has always worked for me is "Rapidly Boiling Water." I just boil several pots of water and pour them down the drain.
Dawn Detergent To Unclog DrainIf your kitchen sink is clogged with grease, the best thing I've ever found is Dawn Dishwashing Liquid. I plug the drain and put a huge squirt, maybe 1/2 cup, in the sink. Then I fill the sink with boiling water. Once it's full I pull the plug.
Uncloging DrainA good, old fashioned plumber's helper will generally unplug minor drain stoppages, but every so often a really heroic jam-up proves too much for the plunger on a stick.
Plastic Cup to Unclog Sink To open a stopped up drain in your kitchen when you don't have a plunger available, get a 6-8 oz. plastic glass (one of those opaque ones you get free drinks in) and put it upside down over your drain hole. Push down quickly flattening it and it will open the drain.
Repairing A Broken Water LineWhen you get your new pieces in place, if the water is seeping through the pipe, it is hard to get the pipe to seal before the sealant is washed away from the joint.
Use Boiling Water With Liquid Plumbr GelI found that Liquid Plumbr Gel works the best when rinsed with boiling water (bring water to a boil on stove). You may need to repeat, but it works awesome. Then as a maintenance use you baking soda and vinegar.
Use Soda Pop Bottle for Clogged DrainsI was helping my friend clean a bathroom that had a clogged basin drain. After the two of us polished off half a two-liter bottle of diet pop, I filled it with water, matched the opening of the bottle to the drain opening and mashed the bottle firmly.
Use Bleach Once a Month to Keep Drains ClearWe recently paid a plumber $95 to clean a clogged bathtub drain. All our home remedy tips did not free the clog. In fact, we even had to have them get the "snake" that we had used out of the drain because it was lodged in and we couldn't get it to move.
Check Upper Flush Holes When Unclogging a ToiletIf the Closet Auger, Plunger and Dish Detergent Failed to unclog your toilet, try this!
Changing Washing Machine Hoses to Avoid Floods at HomeI clean clothes dryer vent systems and do a little bit of insulation work. One thing that most people don't even give a second thought is the black rubber hoses on the back of their clothes washer. I can safely say that maybe one out of twenty five homes have the stainless steel mesh hoses.
Mouthwash to Unclog a ToiletScoopable kitty litter was put in toilet. Wouldn't go down, your website told me to use mouthwash. I had a few ounces of mouthwash. I poured it in plunged and it flushed. I was truly amazed!. I had been plunging and flushing and nothing.
Hair Conditioner For Clogged PipesFor small drain clogs, I accidentally found that a few globs of hair conditioner will get the water flowing. It seems to coat whatever is down there (ugh). Running hot water over the conditioner is helpful.
Fishing Line For Frugal Toilet FixAs a very stingy gramma, I have got "tight waddery" down to a science. While living in an apartment where the repair people didn't come running when I called, I figured out a way to fix my toilet.
Instructions For Removing Sink TrapMy daughter dropped her diamond down the drain. She called a local plumber who said there would be a service call charge of $55.00 plus a charge to locate the ring. I called my brother in law who does plumbing.
Fixing A Dripping ShowerIf your shower drips long after someone's finished showering, unscrew the screw that holds the water control handle and the pin that holds the shower diverter (for hot or cold water), so you can pull the shower diverter off to clean.
