Remove Mineral Buildup on Showerheads

If your showerhead shows visible signs of mineral deposits or has clogged or partially clogged holes, an easy fix is to remove the showerhead and soak it in a bowl of white vinegar. If your showerhead is difficult to remove, simply tie a plastic bag full of vinegar around the showerhead and let it soak overnight. This should remove a lot of the mineral deposits. If you need to use pliers to remove your showerhead, please do so carefully! Always use a cloth between the pliers and the showerhead to prevent scratches. 

Clean Aerators in the Bathroom Faucet

A faucet aerator is a small screen that fits into the end of most kitchen and bathroom faucets. It adds air to the water flow to soften the stream of water. Sometimes the screen gets clogged with mineral deposits, which can lead to a slow or erratic stream. If this is the case in your home, it needs to be cleaned!  Each faucet is different, so we suggest looking up how to clean your aerator depending on what model you have installed. It is generally an easy process that can be done with some very simple tools and a bowl of vinegar. 

Wipe Down Vanity Cabinet Drawers and Handles

Your vanity cabinet sees a lot of use every day. How often do you wipe it down? Little bits of toothpaste and hairspray may have made a permanent home on the cupboard doors and handles. Wipe them down with warm soapy water and a non-abrasive cloth. 

Fix a Running Toilet 

If your toilet hasn’t been running optimally, it might be time to do some easy maintenance. First, check on your flapper. If there is any silt or gunk on it, it may not be creating a tight seal. Simply wipe down the flap with a washcloth and check for any cracks or broken pieces that might need replacing. Perhaps your toilet is running because of a kink in the chain. If that is the case, here’s a hack for you to try! Put a plastic straw around the chain to prevent it from folding over and sticking.

Remove Vent Fan Covers and Clean

Here’s something you don’t think of every day, but your vent fan needs to be cleaned! Excess moisture and dust can prevent your fan from working well. Remove the cover and wipe it down, then carefully wipe down the fan blades too. You’ll be amazed at how dirty your fan is. 

Wash or Replace the Shower Curtain

Here’s a friendly reminder that it might be time to replace your mildewy shower curtain and/or liner. Perhaps it’s a good time to consider installing a shower door? Frameless shower doors are easy to clean since they have large glass panels and minimal hardware.

Caulk the Front of the Toilet

To caulk or not to caulk, that is the question. Pros disagree on whether to caulk around the base of the toilet or not. If the entire toilet base is sealed you won’t be aware of leaks, which can cause significant damage to your floor. But if you don’t caulk around the base, it can get pretty gross down there. We suggest splitting the difference. Instead of caulking around the entire toilet, just apply caulk to the front and sides, leaving the back open. This allows any leaks to be visible while also allowing for easy cleaning!

Clean and Seal Grout

When was the last time you sealed the grout in your tile shower? This is a task that should be done annually to prevent leaks and keep your grout in prime condition. Depending on the type of grout your bathroom has, there are different techniques for cleaning it. Do some research to prevent doing lasting damage to your tile and grout. Or, just say goodbye to grout-cleaning forever by installing a beautiful Onyx shower!

The post Spring Cleaning Checklist (Bathroom Edition) appeared first on Handy Man Home Remodeling Center.

Check your toilet for leaks by following these easy steps.

1. Remove the toilet tank lid
2. Drop one dye tablet or 10 drops of food coloring into the tank
3. Put the lid back on and wait 10-15 minutes
4. Check back and see if any of the food coloring has seeped into the bowl.
5. If so, you have a leak.

What causes toilet leaks?

The most common cause of a leaking toilet tank is when the flapper fails to seal properly and form a tight seal. This lets water leak from the tank into the bowl. Leaks may also be caused by the flapper being out of position.

How do I clean my flapper seal?

Turn off the water at the shutoff valve, flush the toilet and hold down the handle. There may be a little water left in the bottom of the tank, but don’t worry about it. Wipe the flapper seal with a clean cloth to make sure it is free of debris, and check it for cracks or splits. If the flapper is damaged, pick up a new one (they are inexpensive).

What causes toilets to run intermittently?

A toilet that runs on and off by itself has a problem that plumbers call a “phantom flush”. The cause is a very slow leak from the tank into the bowl. This problem is almost certainly caused by a bad flapper or flapper seal. You can try the above information to fix the problem, but if it continues to occur, please call your local plumber to fix it for you.

It is your responsibility to monitor your water use!

Article originally printed in Minnehaha Community Water Corporation newsletter 2017

The post How to Check for a Leaky Toilet appeared first on Handy Man Home Remodeling Center.