It is vital for every homeowner to ensure that the bathroom plumbing is working correctly. Whether you are building a new addition, upgrading your toilet fixtures or doing the ordinary daily plumbing activities, knowing what ought to be done is paramount in order to avoid any damages and frustrations. On one hand, some toilet plumbing is inevitable, and it might require a professional plumber to help you. On the other one also, some issues are easily avoidable via some simple toilet maintenance tips that can go a long way into saving you a lot of work, money and time.
The following are some of the tips that you can use to maintain the bowl and sinks in your toilet.
Act on Small Issues
Ensure that you do not ignore any toilet overflows which happens occasionally. This is one of the most common toilet plumbing problems. If you notice that the level of water in the bowl is about to overflow, it is the excellent time to turn on the cold water in your toilet bowl. The cold water will help to slow the flow of water, and when this happens, it prevents the water from overflowing. This is one way to cut the problem of water flooding in your toilet.
Repair any Leakages
If you notice any leaking faucets, ensure that you repair them as soon as possible. Plumbers advise that if you see any small drips from any faucets in your toilet sink fix them. The small leakages can add significant increase your water bill. Actually, the leaky faucets on a daily basis can lead to wastage of hundreds of gallons of water if the plumbing problem is not solved. For this reason, it is crucial that any faucet leakages are repaired as soon as possible. In addition to that, regular repair of the sink faucets can go a long way to help prevent any wear and tear.
Prevent Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes are the primary cause of lack of running water in your toilet. Additionally, frozen pipes increase the chances of pipes bursting by tenfold. In order to overcome this problem, it is crucial that you leave the faucets of your toilet sink and bowl running during the night if you learn that the temperature is likely to fall lower than usual.
However, if the pipes in your toilet are already frozen, it is advisable that you use a space heater to warm the water. 10 minutes of thawing is sufficient to heat the water. However, it is paramount also not to leave the space heater to run unattended.
Perform Toilet Leak Test
It is critical that you perform tests for any leaks in your toilet. You can do so by regularly checking the level of water in your toilet tank. If you realize that the level of water is beyond the middle pipe that leads water to the toilet, make sure that you adjust the valve accordingly.
The adjustment is meant to regulate the amount of water that stops within one inch of the overflow pipe. The best way to perform the test is by adding afew drops of food colorant and wait for 15 – 20 minutes and then check the toilet bowl. If you realize that the color of the water in the bowl has changed, it is a sign that you need to replace the ball in your bowl.
Avoid Sink Build
Toilet sinks are designed to collect all the dirt that is used in the toilet – the toothpaste, hair and other things used in the bathroom. These things can lead to a buildup in the drainage pipes which over days might lead to permanent blockage of the tubes.
You can learn when the sink drainage is clogged by noticing low pressure on the water in the sink and problem with draining the water from the tub. To avoid the buildup of dirt in your toilet sink, use the following tips.
(i) Make sure that you clean your toilet sink on a weekly basis to remove any buildup of hair, toothpaste and any other dirt that might cause sink clogging. However, when cleaning the sink ensure that you use safe sink cleaning agents to keep your sink clean.
(ii) You can clean the sink by pouring hot water in the tank at least once a week to flush away any toothpaste that might be building in the sink.
(iii) If the water in the sink has low pressure, clean the aerator. The aerator of the sink is the end part of the sink where water gets out of the sink. The best way to clean the sink aerator is by removing it and then washing it with vinegar to help remove any sediments that might have build up. However, not all aerators are removable, and in such a case you can use a sink brush to wash it.
(iv) Alternatively, you can install the modern low-flow aerator which is designed to regulate the amount of water that comes out of the sink thereby allowing air to enter the sink and thus automatically maintain optimum pressure in your sink.
(v) Fix your sink with strainers. They help to catch any hair or soap chips that fall from your bathroom. However, ensure that you clean the filters on a regular basis.
(vi) Make sure that you do not put unnecessary things in the sink.
Keep the Toilet Bowl Clean
For your toilet bowl to work correctly, it is paramount that you keep it clean and adequately functional. You can achieve this through:
(a) Do not flush any items into the toilet bowl that might cause a blockage. Avoid flushing things like facial tissues, diapers, and sanitary towels.
(b) In case of any obstruction, use a bowl plunger to clear the clogs. If the plunger cannot unclog the bowl, then use the auger.
(c) Check the toilet bowl for any leaks and cracks on a regular basis.
Conclusion
The toilet is one of the most frequented parts of any home. Additionally, it is the room that requires maximum care and if you fail to do that it might lead to plumbing emergencies at the most inconvenient time. Toilet bowl and sink plumbing are so crucial to ensure that the home runs efficiently