Most Common Plumbing Problems For Homeowners
All homeowners know plumbing problems come up from time to time. Common plumbing problems can be easy to fix or complicated requiring a plumber. Some common plumbing problems are just annoying and others are a true nightmare. Here are the most common plumbing problems homeowners have to deal with and how to fix them. Something very important to know as a homeowner is to know the location of the main water cut off and how to cut the water off. When a major plumbing problem unexpectedly happens, cutting off the water flow can save you some costly repairs.
Six Most Common Plumbing Problems
- A dripping water faucet
- Slow or clogged drains
- Low water pressure
- Clogged toilets
- Running toilets
- Problems with water heaters
Dripping Water Faucet
A leaky or dripping water faucet can drive some people crazy. That unstoppable rhythmic drip…drip…drip in the quiet of the night! A dripping faucet can be ignored without major consequences but did you know a leaky faucet can waste gallons of water a month. No matter the brand of faucet due to wear and tear most will eventually start to drip. Leaks most often develop from the rubber or plastic seals (seals, washers, O-rings) that wear out over time. Even a slightly worn out seal can result in water dripping out from the spout.
Here is how to fix a dripping or leaky faucet. (link to article on website)
Clogged Toilets
A clogged toilet in nothing unusually. Many things can easily stop up a toilet such as too much toilet paper, children’s toys, foreign object or human waste. What ever is blocking the pipes that lead out to the sewage line, the blockage must be cleared. It must be removed or forced through the pipes. Drain pipes in homes are only designed to carry items that can be dissolved. Anything flushed down a toilet that will not dissolve may cause quite a problem. A plunger is a good thing to keep on hand, and keep it in the bathroom close by for when you need it FAST! Here is how to unstop a clogged toilet.
Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure can be caused by several things such as clogs, pipe corrosion or delivery from the main source. Many older homes can have low water pressure. Out of date plumbing equipment such as an old shower head, a hidden leak somewhere in a waterline in your home. To find out more about low water pressure, the causes and what you can do to fix it see low water pressure.
Slow or Clogged Drains
This is a very frequent problem. Slow draining or clogged drains in kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, tubs and showers, etc. Putting cooking grease sown a kitchen sink is a big NO-NO. So is food waste and food products. Also avoid putting thick liquids down a drain. Something just can’t be avoided like hair. Hair is a common reason a drain will be slow or completely clogged. For help on keeping drains open and draining well see clogged drains.
Running Toilets
Here is another annoying problem – a running toilet. A running toilet can waste a lot of water, up to 200 gallons per day. A running toilet is a simple fix even for the homeowner, no plumber needed! Toilets work on gravity. When the toilet handle is pressed down to flush the toilet a lever inside the tank lifts up a rubber flapper. Water runs out of the tank and into the bowl refilling the tank as the water in the bowl drains out the drain pipe toward the sewage line. The flapper closes and the tank refills with water. The tank fills with water until the float closes the intake. Simple but here is more details at running toilets and how to fix the problem.
Water Heaters
Fixing a water heater is not a do it yourself project unless you know what you are doing. A new water heater can last from about 6 years to 12 years. How long a water heater will last depends on the type of water you have (well water vs city water, hard or soft water, iron levels in your water source and history of maintenance). Some common water heater problems include:replacing a bad heating elements, checking electric water heater thermostats, checking the pressure relief valve, and checking the water heater drain valve. See if you can find your problem and decide if it is possible to fix it yourself. Find out more about problems with water heaters here.