Page 10 - Hawaii Renovation - May 1, 2022

10 HAWAII RENOVATION MAY 1, 2022
Easy DIY plumbing fixes you can tackle yourself
Dealing with anything plumbing related can sound intimidating,
but there are minor repairs homeowners can easily do themselves. As long as you follow the instructions provid- ed with products you’re using, you should be able to fix some common issues — and save a lot of money. Just remember, before tackling anything: Turn off the water to that area first.
1. SWAPPING OUT A SHOWERHEAD
If your showerhead is mal- functioning, or you just want an upgrade, this is a simple fix. A necessary product for this task — or to fix a leaky faucet — is thread sealant. Thread sealant tape like Her- cules Megatape is easy to use, and comes in several colors, widths, thicknesses and densities. An ideal option
for replacing showerheads is Hercules Megatape 1-inch-by- 1,000-inch gray PTFE Tape, which is compatible with vir- tually any piping system.
Wrap thread sealant tape clockwise several revolu- tions around to fully cover the threads. Clockwise is the same direction you will be screwing on the shower- head, so applying the tape the same direction prevents the new showerhead from catch- ing the end of the tape and unraveling it.
2. REPLACING A SINK SPRAYER
Kitchen sink sprayers fre- quently wear out. If you’re un- sure what type of sprayer you have, bring it to the store to be sure you purchase the cor- rect replacement. If your sink sprayer is older, you may be able to replace just the spray-
er without also swapping out the hose. Newer models typically come in one piece, while older ones may have a detachable hose. If the hose is torn or damaged, you may need to replace that as well.
Follow the instructions in- cluded with your new parts, and keep your thread seal- ant tape handy, as you will also need it to complete this project.
3. FIXING A RUNNING TOILET
Contrary to what you may
think, jiggling the handle will not fix your running toilet. If your toilet is running, it’s prob- ably caused by a faulty floater valve or stop valve. That large bulb floating in the toilet tank prevents the continuous flow of fresh water into your toilet once the tank is filled, but if the valve is old and no longer prevents water from getting through, the tank will keep filling — hence the constant running, which is annoying and wastes water.
The best approach is sim- ply to replace the entire toi- let tank float valve assembly, which you can purchase at your local hardware or home improvement store.
4. REPAIRING A TOILET FLANGE
The toilet flange helps se- cure your toilet to the floor. If yours is damaged, you may
see leaking near the toilet base or water pooling on the floor. You might also notice unpleasant smells, or your toilet could shift or rock.
Fortunately, the Oatey Fix-it Repair Ring securely repairs broken, cracked or worn-out toilet mounting flanges, so you won’t have to replace the entire flange. The Fix-It Repair Ring is com- patible with all flange and toilet installations as well as flooring types, and has 10 mounting holes and four slotted mounting tabs for a wide range of installation op- tions. It’s designed for easy and reliable installation, with a perfect-length bolt slot that prevents bending during in- stallation and provides se- cure, level, leak-free repairs.
Learn how to install the Fix-It Repair Ring from the YouTube video, “How to Re-
pair a Broken Toilet Flange.”
5. UNCLOGGING DRAINS
Before calling a plumber, try a plunger or snake. The quick fix for any clogged drain is a liquid drain cleaner, but certain chemical cleaners can damage some pipes if used incorrectly. However, some cleaners are beneficial if used properly. For kitchen block- ages, use a drain cleaner that removes fat and grease. For bathrooms, choose one for- mulated for soap scum and hair. Proactively using baking soda and vinegar can help prevent drains from clogging.
With these tips, you can safely tackle some simple plumbing repairs. Visit oatey. com for a variety of handy DIY repair products.
This article is courtesy of Brandpoint.
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