If you’re wondering why cold water won’t come out of your faucets, chances are it’s something simple and can be fixed with a few inexpensive parts.
However, suppose the problem is more complicated than that, or you’ve had no luck finding the right solution.
Water pressure issues in your home often stem from one or more of the following:
- A faulty valve (leaky)
- An improperly functioning aerator (blocked or corroded)
- A damaged pipe (burst or leaky)
- Leaking plumbing joints
- Corroded pipes
- Pipes that have been damaged by freezing
- Other problems that may occur when water is not flowing correctly through your home
Some people experience an occasional drip, leak, or slow water flow, but others experience these issues constantly.
If this occurs in your home, it can quickly become a severe problem that requires immediate repair.
These common issues can include:
- Slow drips coming from the faucets
- Slow leaks coming from the faucet
- Constant dripping from the faucet nozzle
- Noisy faucets
How To Fix A Faulty Faucet
There are several things to consider first, to fix a faulty faucet:
- Make sure that all the faucet knobs and levers are turned off.
- Turn the central knob clockwise until the handle is fully open.
- Begin turning counterclockwise. This should loosen any stuck valves within the faucet body, allowing them to slide out.
- Gently push the faucet back into place.
For stubborn valves, use some plumbers tape to hold them in place while you wait for the next step.
Next, remove the aerators from the faucets. You will want to replace both aerators at once because they usually look similar and even share the same part number.
Once you locate the aerators, carefully pry each one using a small screwdriver. Be careful not to damage the threads of the faucet.
While doing this, check the inside of the tap to see if anything looks like it has jammed itself.
If everything seems fine, try replacing just one aerator at a time to confirm that it was indeed the culprit.
After you’ve replaced the aerators, clean the outside of the faucet thoroughly.
Use soap and warm water to scrub away dirt, mold, corrosion, and grime. After cleaning, wipe the tap down with a damp rag to ensure no debris remains behind.
You don’t need to do this part in the shower, but it’s never too early to prepare yourself for winter!
Once the exterior of the faucet appears fresh and free of any contaminants, you can install new rubber gaskets.
The old ones tend to dry out over time and create a space where water gets trapped, causing it to freeze and expand.
By installing new rubber gaskets, you eliminate the possibility of cracks forming and the buildup of mold.
How To Repair A Broken Pipe
The most common way to repair a broken pipe is to clamp around the pipe and cut it off flush with the floor.
Make sure that you mark the pipe’s location so that you know what pipe needs repairing later.
Remove all loose material around the pipe as best you can before starting work.
You’ll have to dig a hole big enough to contain the pipe. It doesn’t matter how deep the hole is unless you plan on covering it again.
Use a shovel to scoop out the soil, leaving about six inches of soil directly under the pipe.
Cut a straight line across the top of the pipe about 12 inches up from the bottom of the ground.
Dig a trench along the length of the pipe. Then, cut the pipe about 1/8th of an inch deeper than the depth of the pipe itself.
Dig another trench perpendicular to the original trench but about 3 feet wider than the width of the pipe.
Fill this trench with concrete blocks or stones so that only the outside edges protrude above the ground’s surface.
Place the pipe in the center of the block wall and smooth the concrete slightly.
Cover the pipe with sandbags and secure them tightly with heavy-duty duct tape. Add more concrete blocks if necessary to keep the pipe well supported.
Why Is Only Warm Water Coming Out Of My Faucet?
If only warm water comes out when turning on your kitchen sink faucet (see also ‘How To Remove Kitchen Faucet Without Basin Wrench ‘), there are several possible causes:
- Make sure that the valve handle isn’t stuck in either the open or closed position by pulling it back and forth.
- Turn the faucet on and off until the flow of hot water stops.
- Make sure that the temperature sensor is positioned correctly and working correctly.
How To Find A Good Plumber
To find a good plumber, ask friends who have recently had their plumbing repaired.
Even though they may be happy with the job, someone complaining about having their pipes reworked might be able to give you some pointers.
Also, talk to your current plumber and ask which contractors they recommend.
This method could save you money in the long run since you won’t have to pay for services you didn’t receive.
When searching for a trustworthy plumber, take note of a few things: Look for signs of a license.
In addition, any company that wants to call itself a plumber should have proper permissions as these are required by law. Ask them for proof.
License numbers are issued annually by state authorities. If you notice that the contractor does not carry a license from your state, they probably are not licensed at all.
In addition, look into any recommendations you get from neighbors or previous clients.
You want to hire a plumber that has been recommended by people you trust.
These referrals will help you gauge the quality of their service. Still, they will also offer you insight into whether or not they provide the kind of customer service you expect from a reputable plumber.
A great plumber needs to be licensed, bonded, and insured. They must have experience fixing plumbing problems.
And they should provide written warranties on work completed. If they don’t do any of those things, move on! They’re just too risky to use.
How To Teach Yourself Plumbing Basics
To teach yourself the basics, start by learning how to fix common household plumbing issues.
For example, understand how to install a new faucet instead of replacing one that is broken.
Next, learn how to replace a shower head and toilet seat (see also ‘How To Paint A Toilet Seat‘). With practice, you’ll become an expert before you know it.
You can learn plumbing techniques on many different websites. One excellent resource is www.plumbseek.com.
In fact, the site offers free articles, videos, and quizzes to help you master plumbing essentials like installing a new toilet seat.
Another excellent resource is www.fixit.org. Here you can read tips and instructions for DIY projects, including repairing and improving bathroom fixtures.
Contact a local plumbing service provider if you need professional plumbing repair services.
They include companies that specialize in residential and commercial repairs. It’s essential to choose a reputed company to get quality workmanship.
The best way to avoid costly plumbing emergencies is to regularly check your home’s systems for leaks.
Leaks can waste up to thousands of gallons of water every year, causing extensive damage and high utility bills.
Check the pipes under your sinks, toilets, and showers for cracks or holes that allow water to seep in.
Turn off the supply valves on the street outside. Then, look inside each appliance where a pipe enters (or leaves) the wall and behind each washer and dryer.
Have a professional plumber inspect your household appliances, and consider purchasing a water-leak detection system.
How To Fix A Bathroom Sink Drain Pipe
Bathroom sink (see also ‘What Is My Bathroom Sink Made Of?‘) drain pipes are usually made out of brass. However, a copper drain pipe may be used if brass is unavailable.
Brass will rust over time, while copper drains will last longer than brass ones.
When replacing copper drain pipes, make sure you buy the correct size. The size determines the flow rate and pressure.
Conclusion
To conclude, there really isn’t anything more critical than plumbing when it comes to home improvement.
Hopefully, this guide has served as both a good starting point and a reference for your plumbing journey.
