Boston condos for sale and simple plumbing fixes
Calling a plumber can be a costly, especially when the problem is somewhat minor in your Boston Beacon Hill condo for sale. You can save yourself money around your downtown Boston condo by tackling the following simple plumbing repairs yourself.
Running Toilet
A running toilet in your Boston Beacon Hill condo isn’t just annoying. It can waste up to 200 gallons of water every day. This can add up to $70 per month to your water bill. You may see a trickle of water running water in your toilet bowl. This problem is typically easy to fix. Remove your tank lid and check your fill tube. It may have fallen off the water stream, or you may be missing your overflow tube. Reattach and press firmly into the fill valve, making sure it sits one inch above the rim of the overflow tube. Next, adjust your tank’s fill height by checking your float. If the float is too high, you’ll have a weak flush, but a low float will cause the toilet to run. Check the fill level mark on the back of the tank and the mark on your overflow tube, then adjust the tank float as needed. Finally, you may need to adjust your flapper chain or replace the flapper. Look for a universal flapper if you can’t find one exactly like what you have.
Clogged Drain in Your Beacon Hill Condo
Unless the clog is very deep, you can probably handle it on your own without a plumber. Avoid using drain cleaners in your Boston condo, which can damage your plumbing system. Instead, try pouring vinegar and baking soda down the drain. You should also invest in a basic drain snake. A flexible drain snake is effective for removing hair clogs from deep within your drain. A toilet auger is designed to safely clear your toilet drain without scratching your porcelain. Augers usually cost as little as $10, but even a professional-quality auger costs less than a plumber.
Shower-heads with Low Water Pressure
Upgrading to a low-flow shower-head in your Beacon Hill condo can save up to 30 percent on your water bill. Use a wrench to loosen the current shower-head without too much force. Remove any rubber gaskets or plumber’s tape from the pipe and clean away any residue. Wrap the threads with Teflon tape before installing your new shower-head. If your shower-head has low water pressure or you notice water isn’t coming out of all the openings, you may not need a new shower-head: the problem may be hard water buildup. Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar and tie it around the shower-head. Allow it to sit overnight to dissolve the deposits, then remove.
Toilet that Needs Replacing
Replacing a toilet may seem like a big job, but it isn’t as difficult as it seems. Start by draining the water from your existing toilet by turning off the water supply valve at the toilet and flushing. Next, disconnect the water supply tube with an adjustable wrench. Next, remove the floor bolts holding the toilet in place. You can remove the bolts by cutting them with a hacksaw blade or using an adjustable wrench. Lift the toilet bowl and tank assembly off the floor. Test the fit of your new toilet over the flange and make sure the bolts align with the holes. Set the toilet on its back or side and apply a new wax ring to seal out flushed water, waste, and sewer gases. Place it on the discharge outlet, remove the packaging, and press firmly until the seal is well seated on the outlet. Set the new toilet in place, rocking slightly to firmly seat the toilet against the floor. Install the new plastic cover base, place the washers, nuts, and covers over the flange bolts, and then tighten the bolts slowly. Reattach the water supply, reversing the process you used to remove your old toilet.
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