5 Most Common Plumbing Problems
Being a homeowner comes with many responsibilities, including the maintenance of your home’s plumbing systems. Ranging from small to large repairs, there are many inconveniences that house owners should be aware of. Blockages, excessive use of chemicals, and built up sediment can all be a problem to your plumbing system. It is essential to learn about the possible problems you may encounter and how you can fix them. The best solution is taking preventative measures, however, that’s not always possible. Keep reading to ensure that you have the knowledge and solutions for your home’s plumbing issues.
Dripping faucet
Arguably one of the most common plumbing problems homeowners encounter is a dripping faucet. Whether it is from the bathroom sink, the shower, kitchen faucet or any other taps, you are likely to experience this issue. If not fixed right away, you can waste gallons of water overtime and drive up your water bill.
This problem is often caused by either a deteriorated washer or gasket, erosion in the valve seat, or a loose O ring. Any of these problems are quite easy to repair yourself. Once you have identified what is causing the issue, you can usually fix it with either a faucet repair kit, or some basic tools of your own.
Clogged sink or shower drain
A clogged drain is likely due to built-up soap and hair, blocking the water from clearing out. This is especially common with longer hair. A preventative measure that can be taken is using a drain guard to collect the hair.
To solve this problem, you can use a drain snake or drain auger to clear the packed-in mass of built-up hair. A secondary solution is to run hot water, then pour in ½ cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar, covering the drain and letting it sit for a few minutes to dissolve the clog.
Low water pressure
Lower water pressure in your home can be the consequence of numerous factors. Leaking pipes, built up sediment, or a water main break could be the leading cause of your low water pressure.
You can check which factor is contributing to the lower pressure by conversing with neighbors to see if they’re experiencing the same problem, check each faucet separately, turn all taps off and view the water meter to see if there are any leaks.
Clogged toilet
If your toilet does not drain and fills when flushing, then you have a clogged toilet.
This can be remedied with a plunger. The plunger uses air pressure to clear the clog and allows the toilet to drain properly again.
Water heater issues
When your water heater has issues, you will notice quite easily. This causes the water from taps to stay cool, and occasionally causes puddles, bad smells, sediment build-up, or discolored water.
If the only issue is cold water, this might be easily solved through relighting the pilot on a gas heater, however, often, you will need to call a plumber to help solve the issue, especially if bacteria and sediment are present in the tank.
Summary
There are lots of issues to be aware of as a homeowner. Ensure that you are staying vigilant with your repairs so the problems do not worsen. Take any and all precautionary measures to keep your home’s pipes clean and avoid any issues. Many problems can be resolved through simple tools like a plunger or drain snake. Occasionally, it will be necessary to call in an expert to help solve the issue.
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