The plumbing system is one of the hardest working parts of your home, and from time to time, small issues are bound to pop up. A dripping faucet in the bathroom, a toilet that won’t stop running, or a slow-draining sink can be major annoyances that disrupt your daily life. While major plumbing disasters like burst pipes require an emergency plumber, many of these smaller, nagging problems can be quickly and efficiently handled by a skilled handyman. Understanding these common issues can help you know when a simple repair is all that’s needed to restore peace and quiet to your home.
The Constantly Dripping Faucet
It’s a sound that can keep you up at night, and it’s also a constant source of wasted water. A single faucet that drips once per second can waste over 3,000 gallons of water in a year. The cause of this common problem is almost always a small, worn-out part inside the faucet. Similar to more complex plumbing works, these tasks should not be attempted DIY or the results might end up very costly.
- Worn Washers and O-Rings: In older, two-handle faucets, a rubber washer is pressed against a valve seat to stop the flow of water. Over time, this washer can harden and crack, allowing water to seep by. In single-handle faucets, small rubber O-rings can wear out, causing leaks around the base of the handle.
- Failed Cartridge: Many modern faucets use a self-contained cartridge. The seals inside this cartridge can wear down, leading to a persistent drip.
Replacing these small parts is often all that is needed to solve the problem. As the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program notes, fixing easily repairable leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills.
The Running Toilet
A toilet that constantly runs or “phantom flushes” is another major water waster. The problem almost always lies within the tank.
- A Faulty Flapper: The most common culprit is the rubber flapper that seals the opening to the toilet bowl. Over time, this rubber can warp or decay, allowing water to constantly leak from the tank into the bowl. This forces the fill valve to keep turning on to replace the water, which is the “running” sound you hear.
- An Improperly Set Fill Valve: If the fill valve’s float is set too high, water will constantly spill into the overflow tube, causing the valve to run continuously.
Other Common Tasks
Beyond simple leaks, a handyman can often help with other minor plumbing upgrades and repairs. This can include clearing a simple P-trap clog under a sink, replacing an old showerhead with a new water-saving model, or even installing a new garbage disposal or faucet as part of a small kitchen refresh. While a handyman is not a substitute for a licensed plumber for major jobs like re-piping or sewer line work, their skills are perfectly suited for these smaller, yet important, tasks.
Your Coachella Valley Expert for Minor Plumbing Tasks
You don’t have to live with those annoying drips and running toilets. For homeowners in the Coachella Valley who need help with these common plumbing frustrations, the team at B Frye The Handy Guy can help. We specialize in a wide variety of minor plumbing tasks, providing fast, friendly, and reliable service. Contact us today to schedule your repair.
