7 DIY Plumbing Hacks

Every plumber has an arsenal of plumbing hacks he uses to address a variety of plumbing issues. From soldering a copper pipe to unclogging a drain, the following plumbing hacks will make DIY plumbing repairs faster and easier.

1. Solder a copper pipe

If you need to solder copper pipe fitting while the pipe is leaking, take a piece of white bread and stick down into the pipe as far as possible. The bread will stop the leak while you’re soldering the fitting and will eventually dissolve.

2. Stop a leaking shut-off valve

If you’ve tried closing a shut-off valve but it continues to leak, then you can attach a ⅜ inch inline shut off valve onto the old one and reinstall the supply line.

3. Unclog a drain

If you’ve got a clogged shower drain, it’s likely due to a buildup of hair and soap scum. Simply buy a Zip-it tool or make one yourself using a zip tie and use it to remove the hair in the drain.

4. Stop foul smells coming from floor drains

If there’s a floor drain that’s rarely used by smells like sewer gas, pour some vegetable oil down the drain to get rid of the smell. Since vegetable oil doesn’t evaporate like water, it should cover up the foul odor for a while.

5. Restore water pressure in the shower head

Low water pressure in the shower head may be caused by mineral deposits. To address this, fill a plastic bag with white distilled vinegar and place the shower head inside. Leave it in the vinegar for a day to allow the mineral deposits to dissolve. Then, reattach the shower head to the faucet and check the water pressure.

6. Remove stickers from pipes

If you’re soldering a copper pipe but there’s a sticker attached to the end, heat up the pipe until the paper burns off and then use some flux to remove the glue. Doing this will save you the headache of trying to remove the sticker.

7. Fix a nut that won’t thread

Before cutting a thread rod, run a nut onto the rod. Then, cut the rod and unscrew the nut once you’re finished.

If you have any questions about these hacks or would like to schedule professional plumbing services in Kansas City, give Hamilton Plumbing, Heating, A/C, Rooter a call at (913) 227-4943.

Click here to see 5 common plumbing problems during the summer in Kansas City.