Salt Lake City Homeowners' Guide to DIY Plumbing Tips

As a Salt Lake City homeowner, you know the satisfaction that comes with tackling home projects yourself. When it comes to plumbing, a little DIY knowledge can go a long way in preventing minor issues from becoming major headaches. While Roto-Rooter's experienced plumbing technicians are always ready to help with complex problems 24/7, 365 days a year, there are several common plumbing issues you can often resolve with a few basic tools and the right approach. 

This guide will walk you through essential plumbing DIY tips tailored for homes in Salt Lake City, helping you save time, money, and maintain a smoothly functioning home.

Essential Tools for Every Salt Lake City Homeowner

Plunger: A basic cup plunger for sinks and tubs, and a flange plunger (with a narrower extension) for toilets

Adjustable wrench: For tightening or loosening nuts and bolts on pipes and fixtures

Pliers: Channel-lock pliers and slip-joint pliers are versatile for gripping and turning

Pipe wrench: Essential for gripping and turning pipes and fittings, especially for larger jobs

Caulk gun and caulk: For sealing leaks around sinks, tubs, and showers

Hacksaw: For cutting through plastic pipes or metal screws if needed

Drain snake/auger: A manual drain snake (or "hand auger") can clear clogs beyond the reach of a plunger

Safety gear: Gloves and eye protection are non-negotiable for any DIY task

Having these professional-grade tools readily available means you’re prepared for most minor plumbing emergencies without an immediate trip to the hardware store.

Tackling Common Salt Lake City Plumbing Issues

Handling common plumbing issues at your home is less complicated than you might imagine.

Clearing Clogged Drains

For sinks and tubs, ensure there’s enough water to cover the plunger cup and then create a tight seal and plunge vigorously. For toilets, ensure a good seal around the bowl opening.

For minor clogs in sinks, pour one-half cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by one-half cup of white vinegar. Let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour (or even overnight for tough clogs) and then flush with hot water. This creates a fizzing reaction that can break down some blockages.

If plunging and natural remedies fail, a drain snake can physically clear clogs further down the pipe. Slowly feed the snake into the drain until you encounter the blockage. Rotate the handle to hook or break up the obstruction and then carefully pull it out.

Fixing Leaky Faucets

Locate the shut-off valves under the sink and turn them clockwise until the water stops. If there aren't any, you'll need to turn off the main water supply to your home.

Use a screwdriver to remove decorative caps and screws. Carefully lift off the handle and any other components to expose the cartridge or stem. Remove the old rubber washer or O-ring. Take it to a hardware store to ensure you get an exact match. Then install the new part. Put the faucet back together in reverse order. Turn the water supply back on slowly and check for leaks.

Preventing Frozen Pipes in Winter

You can take steps to protect your home from the effects of frozen pipes, such as burst or leaky pipes. Some steps to take include:

• Insulate with pipe insulation sleeves
• Seal cracks and openings in your home's foundation or exterior walls
• Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor spigots
• Allow faucets to drip
• Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls

When to Call Roto-Rooter: Professional Plumbing Company

When DIY methods fail and problems persist, you need experienced Roto-Rooter’s plumbers on the job. Here's when to put down the plunger and call a plumber.

Persistent clogs: If plunging or snaking doesn't clear a drain, the blockage might be deep within your main sewer line or indicate a more serious issue like intrusive tree roots.

Low water pressure throughout the home: This could signal widespread mineral buildup from Salt Lake City's hard water or a leak in your main water line.

Water heater issues: Problems with your water heater, especially leaks or a lack of hot water, often require professional diagnosis and repair.

Sewer backups: Any sewage coming back into your drains or toilets is a serious health hazard and requires immediate professional attention. Roto-Rooter’s 24/7 emergency plumbers and drain technicians quickly respond to sewer backups to locate the blockage, eliminate it, and restore complete drainage flow to any residential or commercial sewer line.

Burst or leaking pipes: These can cause significant water damage and require rapid, expert repair to mitigate harm.

Roto-Rooter has been trusted and recommended since 1935, offering fast, reliable service for all your plumbing and drain needs. Our experienced team is familiar with the specific challenges Salt Lake City homes face from hard water scale to winter pipe protection. We’re equipped to handle everything from routine maintenance to emergency repairs, ensuring your plumbing system runs efficiently and reliably.

Don't let plumbing problems disrupt your Salt Lake City home. If a DIY fix isn't enough, or if you're facing a complex issue, turn to Roto-Rooter. We’re your trusted local plumbing company, ready to assist you.

Call us at 800-768-6911 to schedule an appointment with a professional Salt Lake City plumber. We're available 24/7, 365 days a year.