Modern plumbing is a fantastic advancement in human civilization, but it can often experience serious issues. If you don’t handle plumbing problems appropriately right away, you can look forward to spending hundreds on costly repairs.
What are some common plumbing problems you may experience and how can you handle them?
While some plumbing issues can be repaired on your own, others require a professional to fix them. Here are some tips for handling common plumbing problems around your home.
1. Blocked Drains and Pipes
One of the most common issues you will experience is blockages in your drains and pipes. This can be frustrating, as it prevents water and sewage from draining properly; this can easily lead to your pipes smelling over time.
Simple clogs can be taken care of for minor clogs in your toilet, sink, or shower drain. However, it’s best to call a plumber for help with severe clogs to avoid making them worse.
2. Running Toilet
While a clogged toilet can be annoying, a toilet that runs constantly can cost you money over time. Your toilet will constantly waste freshwater as it continually flushes itself. If you suspect your toilet is running like this, you should contact a plumber right away.
3. Leaking Showers
Leaking showers are another issue that can cause your water bill to skyrocket. There could be a variety of issues causing this, from your water valve being out of place to the entire showerhead being poorly installed. Unless you know the exact reason for your shower leak, call up a plumber to inspect your shower thoroughly.
4. Backed-Up Sewer
Blocked or backed-up sewers are often the result of a serious clog in your plumbing. However, severe storms can also result in a backed-up sewer system; this happens if tree roots or large chunks of ground interact with the sewer line directly. Regardless of the reason for your sewer problems, you should contact a plumber immediately for help.
You should never try to DIY fix your own sewer line. Doing so can result in further damage and lead to costly repairs. If you notice a terrible smell around your home or other signs of a backed-up sewer, contact help right away!
5. Gas Leaks
Gas leaks are often caused by faulty appliances. They can cause serious health issues for you and your family and should be dealt with immediately. Pay close attention to signs of a gas leak if you suspect that your appliances may be malfunctioning.
Certain plumbers are trained to handle gas leaks and keep your home safe. Contact a gas leak plumber the moment you notice a gas leak in your home.
6. Hot Water Problems
While water heaters can last up to ten years on their own, they can experience issues over time. You’re sure to notice right away if your water heater is acting up.
If you notice that your water isn’t heating up like it should be, check the pilot light on your water heater. This is the most likely cause for any issues that your water heater is experiencing. If it continually goes out any time that you try to light it, contact a professional; there is likely a deeper issue at play that needs to be resolved.
7. Poor Water Pressure
A certain amount of calcium in your water is normal, but it can cause sediment buildups over time, which can lead to blocked pipes and low water pressure. If your sink or shower isn’t expelling water as it should, then you probably have bad calcium buildups in your plumbing.
Cleaning the offending appliances with a vinegar solution can help resolve the issue. However, this will not help if the sediment buildup is deeper inside of the pipes. If the vinegar didn’t relieve your problem, you may need to contact a plumber for help.
8. Jammed Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals are a handy kitchen appliance, but if they aren’t used properly, you may end up needing to spend a lot of money on repairs. Your garbage disposal can’t handle every type of waste, and exposing it to large amounts of food it can’t dispose of can cause it to jam.
Make sure that the garbage disposal is completely turned off before attempting to identify the source of the block. That means cutting power to the garbage disposal to avoid injury. Only then can you try reaching in to see if there are any small objects blocking your disposal unit.
If you are unable to find the source of the blockage, contact a plumber for assistance. The jam is likely lower in the unit.
9. Leaky Pipes
Leaky pipes can result in serious water damage throughout your home if they aren’t dealt with right away. You’re more likely to notice water damage around the leaky pipe before you see the cause of the leak; if you do notice water damage near parts of your home with pipes, get a plumber to contain and repair the leak.
10. Slow Draining Sink
A slow draining sink is often the result of a blockage between your sink and your sewer system. Your sink may still drain at a slow rate even with a clog. If your sink does still drain, you may be able to resolve the clog on your own with chemical drain cleaners.
If your sink has completely clogged and won’t drain, you should contact a plumber for help. They will know the best chemicals to unclog your drain with.
Get Your Plumbing Problems Fixed Today
You don’t have to live with your plumbing problems or try to fix your plumbing alone. Plumbers are always available to help resolve any issues in your home. For more serious plumbing problems, always make sure you contact assistance before dealing with the problem!
Are you concerned about a serious plumbing problem around your home?
We’re here to help. Contact us with questions or concerns you have about our professional plumbers and continue reading our blog for more helpful information.
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