DIY Bathroom Plumbing: Test Your Skills with These Challenges

Many homeowners like to get into the nitty-gritty of DIY bathroom plumbing, but others aren't so sure what they should attempt and what they shouldn't. Well, here are some of the diy bathroom plumbing challenges that homeowners can normally take care of themselves - bathroom sink refacing, showerhead cleaning and stopping a running toilet.

Bathroom sink refacing
Bathroom sink refacing is a diy bathroom plumbing project that most do it yourselfers can handle. The tools required for the job include: two-part epoxy coating, abrasive cleanser, an abrasive pad, lime remover, roller, brush, roller tray, wet dry sandpaper, tack cloth, safety glasses and gloves. When resurfacing a sink, if at possible, move it to a well-ventilated area before you begin, or open the windows in the bathroom. 1) Remove the fixtures and sand any rusty areas. 2) Scrub the entire surface with the abrasive cleanser and rinse it. 3) Use the abrasive pad and lime remover to ensure that the surface is clean. 4) Next, sand the entire area with a wet-dry sand paper, and remove the dust with a tacky cloth. 5) Mix and apply the epoxy according to the manufacturers instructions. 6) And lastly, once the epoxy has dried, reinstall the fixtures and connect the sink.

Showerhead cleaning
This is a very easy diy bathroom plumbing project. Simply fill a heavy-duty freezer bag with a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water. Then attach the bag so that the showerhead is hanging in the mixture, and let it soak for one hour. The white vinegar will remove the mineral deposits that have accumulated, leaving your showerhead running like new.

Stopping a running toilet
Stopping a running toilet is a diy bathroom plumbing project that most homeowners can handle. 1) Jiggle the toilet handle to see if this stops the running. If this works, check the chain inside the tank, as it may be caught on something. Or, you may need to move the chain one or two spots down on the holder. 2) Check to see if the flapper valve is working correctly, and if not, replace it. 3) If you have tried the above steps and your toilet is still running, you may need to replace the ball-cock, with a new assembly kit.

Your local hardware store can also provide diy bathroom plumbing help and support. Next time you come across a problem that you are not sure how to solve, consider asking for their help and guidance. Generally, they will be able to provide you with all the help and tools that you will need.

However, if they indicate that a plumber may be needed, as opposed to your diy bathroom plumbing skills, you should consider their advice. Often, they know the difference between what a diy bathroom plumbing expert and a professional can do.