Common Plumbing Problems
There are various types of plumbing problems. The issues can be minor, calling for a few repair costs, while major issues will make you pay more. Common plumbing problems include running toilets, a dripping faucet, pipe leaks, and sewer system backups. These issues can be critical if not attended to on time, causing severe damages to floors, walls, and personal items.
It’s easier to minimize or prevent plumbing problems if you can identify the specific issue that occurs to your piping system. Below is a list of common plumbing problems, causes, and the best way to fix them. Some of these issues are simple to deal with, while the complicated ones will require you to contact an expert plumbing technician. However, you may need to look to see if your main sewer line is clogged before diagnosing any other plumbing issues.
- Slow draining sink
This is a major plumbing issue that often results from a blockage restricting water flow. Food remnants and congealed fat may block your kitchen sink’s drain, while blockages in bathroom sinks are primarily caused by soap and knotted hair.
You can clear a clogged sink by pouring a chemical clog remover, vinegar, baking soda, or a plunger. A plumber’s snake can also perform the task. Plumbing troubleshooting helps fix simple slow draining issues in sinks. If you don’t tackle the problem in time, it can worsen, blocking the drain completely.
If you’re using chemicals to unclog the sink drain, follow the following steps:
- Follow the guidelines on the packaging.
- Wear safety gears such as goggles and gloves
- Avoid mixing chemicals as the mix-up can emit poisonous gas.
- Pour the chemicals down the sink drain.
- Dripping faucets
These are common issues among homeowners. The plumbing problem not only irritates but also wastes a lot of water, raising the bill. You can lose hundreds of gallons in a year.
Dripping faucets usually result from internal washers that have become worn, torn, dislodged, or stiff. An average householder can help fix the problem, provided that they use the right tools.
- Clogged shower drain
Just like slow draining sinks, shower drains get clogged by soap and hair. A plumber snake or plunger can help clear the blockage. You can also dissolve the clogs using vinegar and baking soda. If you ignore the problem, it can worsen over time. If you wish to prevent or minimize the risk, get a drain guard to trap the hairs.
The following is a guide on unclogging the shower drain using a plunger:
- Add petroleum jelly to the suction pad’s edge to improve the seal.
- Ensure that there’s enough water in the bathroom to submerge the plunger.
- Plug the clog vigorously.
- Running toilet
This issue can be expensive, as you may lose over 200 gallons of water daily. It usually results from faulty flapper valves that control the amount of water passing from the tank to the toilet bowl. The issue is simple to repair, provided that a repair kit is available.
Sediments affecting filling and flushing may also cause a running toilet. This raises the water bills, so, consider checking for this problem if you experience unusual water charges. You can test for the leaks by putting food colorings in the tank, and see if it will run into the bowl.
- Clogged toilet
One of the indicators of a clogged toilet is when the bowl fills up without draining away. This blockage is caused by a combination of human waste and paper. You can quickly fix a clogged toilet using a plunger. If it doesn’t work, try a drain auger or sewer snake to make the blockage lose.
- Reduced water pressure
This one of the most common plumbing problems in homes, and if it’s not discovered in time, may create bathroom inefficiency. Water should gush, so if yours is tricking out of the tap, you may need to check for low water pressure. This problem is common in older homes.
The primary cause of low water pressure is leaking pipes that are worn and corroded. The deposition of minerals on aerators also causes it. You can clean the aerator by soaking it in vinegar. If the problem is in the shower, replace the showerhead or soak it in vinegar.
Cleaning the showerhead with vinegar
- Dismantle the showerhead and clean off the dirt
- Soak a toothbrush in vinegar and use it to scrub and loosen the mineral deposits
- Poke off any loose mineral deposits using a toothbrush or safety pin.
- Dissolve any leftover mineral deposits by soaking the showerhead parts in vinegar.
Complex bathroom plumbing problems require the services of an expert plumber. You dont need to conduct a complex search, as small things can help you know the best plumber.
- A failing water heater
You may never discover this problem until you get into the shower to find out that the water is suddenly becoming cold. Water heaters fail due to various reasons, among them being sediment build-up in the tank. The thermostat may also be faulty.
You need to call a professional to check, maintain, and fix the issue unless it’s a minor problem, such as a pilot light going out.
- Faulty garbage disposal
This is one of the most common plumbing problems among homeowners. A garbage disposal may jam if you run it with water, or dispose of certain food substances like potato peels into them.
You can fix the issue by hitting the reset button. If that doesn’t work, open it up. In case you lost the key, use a ¼ inch Allen wrench to free the appliance’s motor.
- Leaking pipes
A leaky pipe can be irritating, and if unattended, it can cause severe damages to the floors and furniture. The dampness also creates a good breeding site for cockroaches and bugs and can be like a wireless charging denoting disaster waiting to happen. Leaking pipes can make you go camping against your will if the water pool extends to your bedroom.
Pipe leaks usually occur at the pipe joints. You can fix the issue temporarily using compounds, tapes, or fillers. If you want a permanent solution, replace the entire piece of pipe, or get new fittings, if they’re the problem. A good tech company can help you fix the issue permanently.