As a homeowner, plumbing problems are one of the issues you will need to expect. Knowing each of them and what to do about it can help spare you thousands of dollars in repair costs and several hundreds of dollars in your water bill. Though there are plumbing (click here) problems that you can address yourself, there are also symptoms of more severe problems in your plumbing system, especially if your house has a dated plumbing system or has never been checked for years. Here below are the most common plumbing problems you need to know.
Dripping Faucets
In most cases, dripping faucets are straightforward to solve. The causes of most dripping faucets are worn-down o-rings or washers, which you can replace easily. However, for older fixtures, you may be dealing with corroded faucets which need replacement. Fortunately, these materials are widely available and affordable.
Clogged Drains
Clogged drains are perhaps the most common plumbing problem at home. You may encounter these in the shower or the kitchen sink because of undissolved solids that somehow accumulated in your pipe. A drain cleaner can dissolve most of these, especially hair, soap, and food particles. However, a plumber with specialized equipment can help you solve localized clogged drains for more severe cases. However, if multiple drains have this issue, this could probably be telltale signs of a severe sewer line problem which should prompt a call to a plumber.
Leaky Pipes
For houses with dated plumbing systems, expect leaky pipes to occur at any time. Stubborn clogs could cause leaky pipes because of the induced pressure it creates. Pipe corrosion, joint damage, cracked seals, or pipes could also be possible causes. In the case of leaky pipes that are challenging to detect, call a plumber immediately.
Low Water Pressure
If you encounter low water pressure in your home while your neighbors don’t, it is a symptom of a more serious problem lurking in your home. Low water pressure is usually associated with leaky water pipes. However, more severe cases could be caused by drain or sewer clogs or blocked sewer lines. Call a plumber immediately in case of a localized low water pressure problem.
Running Toilets
Running toilets can cost you hundreds of gallons of water if you let it happen for a few days. Fortunately, in most cases, using a toilet repair kit can solve this problem quickly because the causes of running toilets are toilet internals such as the flapper or refill tube.
Sump Pump Failure
Sump pumps are rugged machines that can last a decade without any issues. However, if the rainfall is substantially heavy, you risk overwhelming your sump pump. Moreover, a clogged discharge pipe can also cause your sump pump to fail.
Water Heater Issues
Though high-quality water heaters are rugged enough to work usually for years, the failure to filter out water can cause problems quickly. Moreover, hard water can foul up your water heater lines as well. Ensure that you introduce clean water into your water heater system to prevent sediment buildup in your tank or water heater lines. If the water heater suddenly fails to work, you may need to look into a loose or broken electrical connection. A failed heating element could be the cause if that is not the issue. Fortunately, many plumbing services offer water heater services.
Takeaways: Knowing Common Plumbing Problems Can Go A Long Way
Plumbing problems are unavoidable. Having some basic knowledge to solve more straightforward plumbing problems will be helpful. However, many plumbing problems are symptoms of more serious underlying causes which need immediate action from professional plumbers to detect and solve. Failure to promptly address plumbing problems can cause the issue to worsen and pile up your repair and water bills. Moreover, the value professional plumbers offer dramatically exceeds the cost of letting a problem grow worse. Knowing what to do is essential to saving unnecessary expenses.
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