When you live in a home, you need to know how to deal with common plumbing issues. That way, when a problem arises you can know if it is something that you can deal with on your own or if the issue warrants calling in professional help.

Common Issue #1: A Clogged Drain

A clogged drain is one of the most common plumbing issues around. When a drain clogs up, see if you can get rid of the clog on your own first. Take a half a cup of salt and pour it down your drain. Then, pour boiling water down the drain. Continue to pour boiling water down the drain until it is clear.

If you don't have salt, you could also pour baking soda and vinegar down the drain. Allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes and then follow up by pouring a bunch of boiling water down the drain. Boiling water can help flush clogs out of your drain.

If neither of these methods works, then it is time to call in a professional to help you unclog your sink and get things flowing again.

Common Issue #2: No or Very Little Water Coming Out of the Faucet

When you turn on a faucet, you expect water to come out of the faucet. If you are not getting enough water out of your faucet, often it is because the aerator is clogged and dirty.

You are going to want to turn off the water using the shut-off valve located under the sink. Turn on the faucets and let the water that is still inside of the faucet run out. Then, plug the sink so that nothing else can go down the drain.

Unscrew the aerator from the end of the faucet. You should be able to twist it off by turning it counter-clockwise, but you may need to use a wrench if it is really tightly in place.

Once you have the aerator off, use a toothbrush or other small brush to scrub all the parts clean. You can use baking soda and water, dish soap, or even vinegar to clean the aerator. Scrub it until it is clean, then put the aerator back together and twist it back onto the faucet. Take out the plug and turn the water shut-off valve back on. See if the water runs more vigorously from the faucet.

When your sink is clogged or you are not getting enough water pressure from the faucet, try the quick fixes above to see if they can fix your problem. If these quick fixes don't fix your problem, then you know it is time to call in a plumber to assist you. Get in touch with a local plumbing company, such as Universal Plumbing.

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