Despite it being an essential aspect of your home’s ability to function correctly, plumbing isn’t something that we think about a lot. Each day, we simply expect our toilets to flush, the sink disposal to drain and the shower pressure to remain steady. It’s only when our plumbing system stops working that our home’s pipes become a top priority.
Common Plumbing Problems: What They Are and How to Fix Them
As a homeowner, it’s best to be prepared for anything—including an unexpected plumbing problem. Below we’ll discuss the most common plumbing problems we see, how to detect the onset of a problem and how to fix it.
Leaky Pipes
Most homes are equipped with an underground plumbing system. If your home has a basement, many pipes can also be found there. And while most pipes last for decades, many begin to leak when that time is up.
If you’re living in an older home, conduct inspections regularly and look for any puddles under pipes or under pipe joints, as leaks typically happen there. A leaky pipe is easily noticed, so if you come across a puddle or two, be sure to take action quickly.
If you do notice a leak, consider installing joint fillers or a fitting compound. While these are temporary fixes, they can spare you time to get the job fixed correctly by a professional.
Dripping Faucets
We all know that sound. The constant drip, drip, drip coming from our sink. During the day it’s hardly noticeable, but at night, it’s all you can hear. And while a dripping faucet might seem like just a nuisance, it’s actually the main reason for increased water bills.
If your faucets begin to drip, it’s probably time to replace a washer inside the tap itself. To keep water from flowing out, washers are constantly under extreme amounts of pressure. As a result, it’s likely to become damaged.
While a malfunctioning washer is most likely the cause of a dripping faucet, there are a few other reasons as well. They include:
- A worn-out cartridge
- Unbalanced or too high water pressure
- A broken pipe or filling
One final potential cause is a dirty pipe near the spout. To avoid any leaks, be sure to clean it regularly. If left unfixed, a dripping faucet can lead to larger plumbing problems.
Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure is found more often in older homes due to old pipes that become clogged with mineral deposits. When that happens, water flow decreases. If old pipes are the cause, you’re going to need a professional to repipe your home.
Repiping your home is an invasive and expensive process. There is good new, though. There are a few adjustments you can make around your home to see if the problem is rooted elsewhere.
Start in your kitchen, as most kitchen faucets have easily removed aerators. Clean them out with vinegar or a store-bought cleaning solution specifically designed to remove mineral deposits. Showerheads and bathroom faucets are a little more difficult to remove, but the same process applies. Keep in mind that a showerhead has a screen inside, so be sure to remove it before cleaning it with a toothbrush.
Running Toilets
Toilet plumbing problems, and specifically running toilets, can often be one of the biggest wastes of water inside your home. If you notice your toilet running—and wasting water—it might be time to make a few replacements. Before you do, though, you’ll have to understand which part of the toilet is leaking.
A common cause of a running toilet is a faulty chain. It’s the connection between the flush lever and the rubber flapper it’s attached to. By moving the flush lever, you can notice if the chain is too long or too short. A simple chain switch can fix this problem.
Other common causes include a dirty or broken flapper or an incorrect float position. For reference, the flapper is the piece of the toilet that opens and closes when you flush, and the float position refers to the balloon float that rises and falls when the toilet flushes to indicate whether or not the tank is full.
A runny toilet is one of the easier do-it-yourself plumbing problems you can fix at home.
When It Comes To Plumbing Problems, You’re Not Alone
Here at ABC Home & Commercial Services, we offer our customers a full range of plumbing services. We take pride in our work and ensure that each problem is met with professionalism and care—even for those not-so-fun jobs like a broken pipe.
So whether your home’s plumbing system is starting to leak, has a dripping faucet or is simply in need of a quality inspection, let our highly skilled team handle it. We’ll ensure your home’s plumbing is well cared for and working properly all year round.
