Whether you’re the go-to neighborhood handyman or can’t tell a tire iron from a toilet seat, you probably don’t give your DIY skills enough credit. With a little preparation and a lot of discipline, it’s possible to execute many straightforward plumbing upgrades and fixes without calling on a professional or buying special tools. We outline three simple tasks that take less than half a day and leave your home in even better shape.
Upgrading Faucets with Aerators and Other Water-Saving Devices
If your home suffers from low water pressure or has wasteful, outdated faucets, you don’t have to replace your entire piping system. Instead, tack a simple aerator onto your faucet head to increase the perceived speed at which water shoots out of the tap. You can buy aerators at most home improvement stores, and installing them simply demands some manual twisting or clipping.
If you’re more interested in sprucing up your faucet’s appearance, take out your existing faucet with a screwdriver or power drill and replace it with a chrome or brass-finished device. Since most new faucets are more water-efficient than their forebears, this may also reduce your water bill. Again, new faucets are available at most home improvement stores.
Replacing an Outdated Toilet
Replacing a toilet is easier than it sounds. First, drain the toilet’s water and flush it several times. Next, disconnect it from its water source and remove the bolts or caulking that attach it to the floor. Quickly block the drainpipe with a nonporous cloth and remove the toilet from its pedestal. Once this is done, you’ll perform all these tasks in reverse with your new toilet. The whole process shouldn’t take more than two or three hours.
Installing a Tub Seal
Older tubs are a major cause of water damage on floors and in walls. To avoid potentially costly tile replacement, floorboard work or structural repairs, you can seal your tub and the surrounding fixtures with an easy-to-apply caulking mixture. Be sure to work this mixture into every crack and crevice between the tub and the walls, floors and tiles that surround it. Don’t forget to apply some caulking around its fixtures as well.
Quality Plumbers in Austin: Building on Your DIY Successes
These three plumbing projects are relatively quick and easy to execute without the aid of licensed professionals or special tools. However, there are plenty of other plumbing projects that do require a little help from the right people. If you’re looking to build on the projects that you’ve successfully completed, visit our plumbing services page online or schedule a consultation to learn more about what the plumbing experts at ABC Home & Commercial Services can do for your home.