Temporary Pipe Leak Fix

• A leaking pipe is one of the most common bathroom plumbing emergencies that you may be called upon to address. You can still use the water that flows through the pipe by using a temporary fix while you wait to permanently fix the problem. Shut off the water supply, cut a slit in a section of hosing, place it over the leaking hole and secure with clamps.
  
  

Mixing Drain Solvents

• When attempting to clean a bathroom sink drain, no reason exists not to use a chemical solvent. Do not be tempted to use two different solvents in clearing out a clogged drain as the reaction between the two could potentially be dangerously violent.
  
  

Whistling Toilets

• Familiarize yourself with the basic mechanics of the toilet, and annoying plumbing situations may be easier than you think. While whistling toilets are less common among newer models, they can become quite annoying in older homes. A very simple plumbing operation solves this problem: open the toilet tank and replace old metal float arms and assemblies with ballcock washers.
  
  

Avoiding Drain Flushes

• A plumbing problem that has resulted in the necessity for removing a drain trap or a stopper can easily be compounded by a lapse in your short-term memory. Grab a washcloth to place over the faucet handles as a reminder that the trap is still open. This procedure can save you from the much more annoying plumbing problem of spraying water all over the floor.
  
  

Protecting Tub Surface

• Plumbing operations that take place inside the tub present the additional problem of potentially scratching up the surface of the tub. Place a towel on the bottom of the tub on which you place tools, like screwdrivers and pliers, and hardware, like screws and metal drain parts.
  
  

Funnel Cup Plunger

• Bathroom plumbing very often comes down to sticking a plunger into the toilet bowl. You can increase the strength of the suction necessary for this process by using a plunger that has a funnel cup, which fits over the drain opening much more securely and with a tighter fit. Pump it up and down 10 times vigorously before removing the plunger.
  
  

Augering Tub and Shower Drains

• That auger that you usually only use for tough toilet clogs can just as easily and effectively be used for unclogging shower and tub drains. An auger slipped through a tub strainer will only reach to the tee fitting. For reaching clogs further along the drain, the auger will have to be inserted through the overflow tube.