If you have a clogged drain, whether in a kitchen or a bathroom, you don’t need to spend big bucks hiring a plumber. Experts say, plumbers want you to think there is more to the job than there actually is. Here are a few tips that will help you the next time you have a clog.

Dealing with Clogs:

• Clearing a sink may involve nothing more than removing the strainer or stopper from the bowl’s drain opening, a job that is fast and easy! Bits of soap, hair, food, or other debris can be the culprit. Kitchen sink strainer baskets simply lift out. Some bathroom stoppers do too. Keep in mind, some may require a slight turn before lifting, and others may need you to reach under the sink and remove a pivot rod.
• A plunger uses water pressure to blast out obstructions. This means its rubber cup must seal tightly around the drain opening before you begin working the handle up and down. (Water in the bowl helps create this seal.)
• If plunging doesn’t work, fit an auger down the drain. Cranking its handle rotates a stiff spring that bores through a stubborn blockage.
• If this doesn’t get results, dismantle the trap and auger the drainpipe that goes into the wall or floor.

Good luck!

In this economy, most homeowners are trying to fix things around the house, themselves. In my house, it seems like we can go about six months before something breaks and needs to be fixed. A common problem for many homeowners is simple plumbing.

If you have a leaky faucet, it could be an easy fix. But keep in mind, if you have a bigger, more complicated job, you need to be open-minded enough to call in the pros. I know, it’s going to cost you about $125, but if you’ve got a complicated job, it will definitely save your sanity!

Ok, here’s some simple plumbing 101. If you have an old-style faucet or outdoor hose bib, it may be as simple as replacing a washer or two. But if it’s something fancy, you’ll spend some time on this job. This seemingly simple job can get very frustrating, so decide if you want to risk blowing most of a day trying to fix it yourself, or simply pay a plumber to do it for you.

If you want to do it yourself, first turn off both supply lines to the faucet. Turn the handle to the “on” position to make sure the water is fully off. If you can’t get it to stop running, you may need to call in backup.

Depending on the style of faucet, you may need to remove the handle, then the “cartridge” (which is the brass mechanism full of washers, O-rings, etc.) that looks kind of like a spark plug. Then, take the whole thing into a good, fully stocked local plumber’s supply and get new parts. Don’t be shy to ask for advice if you’re not sure about what you’ve done to this point.

Lastly, assemble all your new parts being careful not to strip or cross-thread anything, then turn the water back on and check for leaks. Test the operation of the faucet at all settings and turn it off. Then keep an eye on it over the next day to make sure you don’t have to adjust anything. If after a day or two, you are drip-free, you not only just fixed your leak, you saved yourself about $125!