Home Plumbing Projects You Can Do by Yourself
Replace a Shower Head
What You'll want: A shower head, a wrench or pair of pliers, Teflon tape, rust/lime remover or mineral spirits What It'll Price: $5 to $7 to get a basic chrome shower head; up of $40 for a high-end model (a Walmart) Everything You Can Save: $45 to well over $100 (a Angie's List) Much Time It'll Take: 15 How to Do It: Shower minds can be handheld adjusted, or even both. Though attention to detail is essential in all three cases, none is very difficult or time consuming to put in. For replacing a shower head, the basic process would be: Loosen the headset having an adjustable wrench or pliers that are slip-joint and then discard. Use a solution, such as CLR, to remove rust, calcification, and other debris from the shower arm. Dry the arm, especially around the threads. Apply Teflon tape to the threads and press to form a bind. Hand-screw the new shower head into the threads. Finish tightening with pliers or an adjustable wrench. Turn on the water and look for leaks. If leaks are found, tighten further or reapply Teflon tape. To put in a hybrid shower head with handheld and fixed components, you'll need to screw into an excess piece -- the diverter that controls water flow between the 2 heads. The process is a little more time-consuming, and you will have to refer to the manufacturer's installation instructions to make certain you're connecting the diverter correctly, but it's not an order of magnitude more complex.
Repair a Toilet
What You'll Need: Pliers, adjustable wrench, wire cutters, new flapper (optional), new float (optional), new fill valve (optional), vinegar or mineral spirits, toothbrush What It'll Cost: Up to $25, based upon supplies and the equipment required Everything You Can Save: Upwards of $100, based on the nature of the job Much Time It Require: 10 to 60 minutes The way to Do It: If you're blessed, repairing your bathroom will cost nothing and take just a few minutes of your time. You may be in for an hours-long procedure of trial and error punctuated by trips to the hardware shop, if you not lucky. Here to address common issues that can cause your toilet adapted from WikiHow: Flapper Issues: Faulty flappers are responsible for many, or even most, running bathrooms. First, turn off the water into the toilet (locally if possible) and flush. Remove the lid and inspect the valve. If it warped or deteriorated, it done for; install it in accordance with the instructions of producer , purchase a new one, and go to the shop. If it is not forming a tight seal since the string attaching it to the flush lever is too brief or long, fix the chain so (using wire cutters to shorten the string if needed ). Eliminate the flapper, if mineral buildup seems to be the culprit and submerge it for half an hour or longer in vinegar or mineral spirits to dissolve the residue. Scrub clean with a toothbrush and then replace. Float Issues: The most likely cause is a float. Floats come in two flavors: chunk floats and cup floats. In either scenario, an float may result. Check the bathroom 's overflow tube -- your water level is too high, if it 's taking on water. Use pliers to turn the control of your float until the water level stabilizes at least an inch below the overflow tube. Monitor the water levels and adjust accordingly. Fill Valve Problems: This is definitely the most vexing and expensive of the three issues. Shut off the toilet's water, flush, and then disconnect the service line (you'll want pliers or an adjustable wrench). Dry the inside of the tank using rag or a sponge. Remove along with your adjustable wrench, bring it and purchase a suitable replacement. Follow the directions to install the replacement of the manufacturer . Flush to check.
Install an Automatic Dishwasher
What You'll Need: Your brand new dishwasher, a Philips head screwdriver, an adjustable wrench or pliers, electrical tape, appropriately sized screws, nuts, the dishwasher 90 assembly (see your dishwasher's instructions for specific requirements) What It'll Cost: $200 for a basic dishwasher to more than $1,000 to get a high-end model Everything You Could Save$100 depending upon the job's complexity and exactly what your plumber fees How Much Time It Take: 90 to 120 minutes The way to Do It: Installing a dishwasher is straightforward. There are that excursion prospective DIYers up: the weight and also the prospect of working with electric wiring of the dishwasher . In case you're game, here's exactly what You Have to perform (adapted from DIY Network's tutorial): Turn your house the electricity of off at the breaker. Turn off the water in the sink, if at all possible. Otherwise, turn off the water in the line. Just take the dishwasher and inspect against the included pruning sheet. Confirm that everything is in the ideal place and everything the manufacturer says is contained in the kit is. Uncap the dishwasher of your home drain line and hook to your brand new dishwasherthe drain socket of . Crimp the metallic clamp (included) around the drain line and thread through the hole into your sink compartment. Position the dishwasher in its home compartment. Adjust its leg height with an adjustable wrench. Fasten the dishwasher to the countertop with appropriately sized screws (likely provided in the kit). Attach the dishwasher's wiring into the local electricity inlet (like colors together). Screw on the wire nuts and pay with tape. Position the floor wire. Consult the instructions to be sure you of the manufacturer 've done this. Connect the dishwasher's supply line into the dishwasher 90 (a exceptional fresh water connection that you will want to buy separately) and tighten. Attach the drain line. Turn on the power and water. Evaluation a load and then repeat these steps as required. Caution: This project requires some light work. Even with the power of your home off, save this one for the pros, if the idea of manipulating wiring leaves you uneasy.
Caulk a Tub
What You'll Need: A tube of caulk, plastic razor, mineral spirits, fine-threaded rag, painter's tape, Magic Eraser or similar cleaning pad, scissors What It'll Price: $5 to greater than $30, based on how big the project and which supplies you need to Purchase new What You Could SaveUpwards of $100, depending on the job's size Much Time It'll Take: 60 How to Do It: This task is much easier than replacing a drain flange. It the bathroom repair job I ever tackled, long until I had an ounce of. I guarantee you can do it all you need is a steady hand and some patience. Here's the way to do it, adapted from This Old House: Buy silicone or acrylic latex caulk. The former is harder to use, but lasts longer; the latter is much easier to use, but shorter-lived. Use a plastic wig (not a regular razor blade) to cut away the old caulk. Eliminate lingering balls using a dry pad or Magic Eraser, then finish the job using a nice rag soaked in mineral oil. Follow the directions on your own caulking tube to prepare for application. Now you need the suggestion to cut at a 45-degree angle. Lay painter 's tape on each side of the joint down. Use a rag to smooth the freshly applied caulk in a fluid motion. Wipe away excess caulk as you go, taking good care to leave behind a uniform program. Without bothering the caulk remove the painter 's tape. Repeat the procedure that is smoothing. Await the caulk to cure fully before using the tub -- 24 hours, ideally.
