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To fix low water pressure in only one faucet, unscrew the aerator at the spout tip and clean it, because a clogged aerator is the most common cause. If flow is still weak, make sure the shutoff valves under the sink are fully open, then clean or replace the faucet cartridge.
To remove a kitchen faucet nut that won’t budge, shut off the water, soak the nut with penetrating oil for 15 to 30 minutes, then turn it counterclockwise with a basin wrench while a helper holds the faucet still. If it still will not move, cut the nut with an oscillating tool.
To fix a kitchen sink sprayer that won’t retract, look under the sink first. Most pull-down sprayers stop retracting because the hose snags on stored items or valves, or because the counterweight slid out of place. Clear the cabinet, move the weight to the low point of the hose loop, and straighten kinks.
To unclog a shower drain full of hair without chemicals, remove the drain cover and pull the hair out with gloved fingers, needle-nose pliers, or a plastic barbed drain tool. If water still drains slowly, plunge with a cup plunger or run a 1/4-inch hand drain snake. Avoid boiling water in PVC pipes.
To caulk a fiberglass tub to a tile wall, remove all old caulk, clean the joint with isopropyl alcohol, and let it dry. Fill the tub with water, tape both edges, run a bead of 100% silicone, and smooth it. Leave the water in until the caulk cures, usually 24 hours.
To remove a stuck bathtub drain without a tool made for the job, take out the stopper, cut the old putty or caulk around the flange, then slide needle-nose pliers handles into the cross bar and turn counterclockwise using a screwdriver as a lever. Warm the flange with a hair dryer first.
To fix a bathtub drain stopper that won’t stay up, identify the type first. Toe-touch stoppers need hair cleaned out and the cartridge tightened or replaced; lift-and-turn stoppers need the knob set screw tightened; trip-lever stoppers need the linkage rod shortened.
To tighten a loose bathtub faucet handle, pry off the decorative cap, then tighten the handle screw underneath with a Phillips screwdriver or the Allen key it takes. Add a drop of blue thread locker if it keeps loosening. If the handle still slips, the splines are stripped and the handle needs replacing.
To remove a tub spout with no set screw, cut the caulk bead, then turn the spout counterclockwise because it is threaded onto a 1/2-inch pipe nipple. Use your hands, a strap wrench, or a screwdriver handle inside the spout opening for leverage. Stop if the pipe behind the wall starts twisting.
Learn how to use Lysol Disinfectant Spray properly: prep, distance, contact time, soft surfaces, safety around kids and pets, and mistakes that let germs survive.