If your home has a clogged drain, dripping faucet or other such common plumbing issue, you can sometimes fix these problems yourself with a few simple tools and a bit of know-how. This can often get that drain or faucet working as it should; however, it's also good to note that home plumbing fixes aren't always the best choice, and having plumbers handle certain jobs can still be needed. Note a few pros and cons of various home plumbing fixes so you can determine if these should be used for needed plumbing repairs in your home.
Vinegar and baking soda
Vinegar and baking soda create a type of thick foam when mixed together, and adding these two materials together in a bathtub or sink drain is a popular home remedy for blocked drains. That thick foam can easily and safely clear away soap scum, food materials in a kitchen sink and other such debris. However, this quick fix doesn't work on clogs caused by thick materials such as paper towels, and it won't address clogs created by leaking pipes. If you try this solution once and it doesn't work, don't assume that you should keep adding these materials to a drain, but call a plumber to get to the root cause of that clog.
Dripping faucet
Typically a faucet drips because of a worn-out washer, which is a small rounded part that is screwed into the end of the faucet. If you replace this washer, the faucet may stop dripping, but you need to ensure you buy the right material and size of washer, or the drip may only get worse. The wrong material of washer can mean quick corrosion of those pieces, and an ill-fitting washer won't stop water from flowing out of the faucet. Also, if the faucet drips because of clogged pipes, changing the washer won't help! For a very persistent drip, and if more than one faucet drips, call a plumber to fix the issue properly.
Snakes
Snaking out the home's plumbing can prevent clogs from forming, as a plumbing snake will remove gunk and debris that might be collecting in a pipe. Performing this work as routine maintenance can then ensure your home's plumbing is always in good repair.
While it can be good to snake out the pipes regularly, note that it can also damage those pipes if you use the wrong type of snake or don't know how to use it properly. Have a plumber perform this task as part of routine maintenance instead to ensure it's done right.
