Fix Common Bathroom Plumbing Problems


Learn how to repair clogged traps, blocked drains, stopped-up toilets and weak showers.

Unblock Traps

One of the most common areas where blockages occur is in traps. A basin trap is shown here. Snakes can unclog many types of traps, but sinks usually need to be dismantled for the blockage to be removed.

Materials and Tools:
bowl
bucket
old toothbrush
replacement washers

Steps:
Undo the sink trap. Position a bowl beneath it to catch any water.

Remove debris and wash the trap in a bucket of clean water. An old toothbrush is an ideal cleaning tool.

Replace the trap. It is worth replacing worn washers while the trap is disassembled to prevent future leaks.

Unclog the Sink Drain

Clogs in bathroom sinks are fairly common, and they usually occur near the pop-up assembly of the drain.

Materials and Tools:
drain plug adjustment arm

Steps:
Remove the spring tab from the drain plug adjustment arm.

Remove the ball valve from the sink trap.

Remove the pop-up plug and then remove the debris clogging the sink

Clear Stopped-Up Toilets

If flush water rises to the rim and then drains slowly, the toilet trap or drain is blocked. To unblock these, use a plunger first, then a snake — the latter burrows into the blockage and loosens it up.

Materials and Tools:
snake

Steps:
Pull a section of the snake out of the drum.

Tighten the retaining nut on top of the snake body.

Rotate the drum of the snake so it burrows into the waste system to dislodge the blockage

Fix Weak Water Pressure in the Shower

Reduced shower flow is usually due to limescale buildup. This can easily be removed with a descaling product.

Materials and Tools:
screwdriver, bowl, descaling solution

Steps:
Unscrew the shower head from the hose.

Unscrew the spray plate and immerse it in descaling solution.

Leave it in the solution for specified length of time. Flush any remaining scale from the pipes before replacing the shower head.

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