2 Plumbing Fixes Landlords Should Know

9/1/2020 (Permalink)

If you notice your faucet has been leaking you should repair it as soon as possible

Quick Repairs a Landlord Will Probably Have To Do

Plumbing issues can occur in rental properties, especially if you have older pipes, like polybutylene pipes. Although some issues will require a plumber, you should be able to handle some things on your own. This can save you from having to hire remediation professionals to repair extensive damage. Here are a couple of quick repairs you will probably have to do while you are a landlord.

1. Leaky Faucets
When a faucet leaks, it is generally due to one of two reasons. It could be that the nuts at the base of the faucet are loose and need to be tightened. If that doesn't fix it, the faucet is probably leaking because the washer inside the handle is worn and needs to be replaced. To make this repair, you should start by turning off the water supply to the sink. Use caution if you have older plumbing, such as polybutylene pipes. Once the water is off, remove the faucet handle by undoing the screws. Sometimes these screws may be hidden or under a plastic cap. Once you get the handle off, you will find the old washer. Simply replace the washer with a new one and replace the handle. This simple trick could prevent water damage to your property.

2. Clogged Toilets
Luckily, tenets should be able to take care of clogged toilets on their own, especially if you left them a plunger. If you have a tenet call you for a stubborn clog, ask him to wait ten minutes. Then, have him try again, making sure that he covers the hole completely with the plunger to get a good seal. If this doesn't work, you may want to try with a snake. Simply put the wire snake down the hole until you feel the clog. Turn the snake clockwise to grab the clog and pull it out.
If you have older plumbing, like polybutylene pipes, you are going to encounter some issues. However, if you know how to do some basic fixes, you can save yourself time and money as a landlord in Leawood, KS.