What to Deal with Common Plumbing Problems: An Expert Guide
What to Deal with Common Plumbing Problems: An Expert Guide
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15 Common Plumbing Problems Every Homeowner Needs to Watch Out For
Dripping Faucet
The most obvious detriment of having a dripping faucet is wasting water. Assuming a faucet drips only once a second, that’s 86,400 drips a day. At 15,140 drips per gallon, that’s a total of 5.7 gallons of wasted water a day. That’s more than 2,000 gallons a year, which is about 8 tons of water literally going right down the drain. These are the numbers for just a single faucet. If the home has more than one leaky faucet, the waste quickly multiplies. Even if you have a slow-drip faucet, you’re wasting a whole lot of water.
That’s in addition to the fact that water and metal surfaces don’t generally go well together. All that excess water can create patches of rust in pipes and other fixtures. This could lead to even more leaks — many of which might be undetectable until it’s too late.
Similarly, water and wood don’t mix well, either. Instead of rust, rot becomes the enemy. Wet, rotting wood can also breed mold, which can cause many health issues. A combination of rot, rust and mold can be disastrous for the structural integrity of your home.
Fixing a dripping faucet — and preventing all these issues — can be as simple as putting in new O-rings, but it also depends on the type of faucet you have.
Running Toilet
A running toilet is an even more wasteful version of the leaky-faucet problem. How bad can it get? Well, a small toilet will waste about 20-30 gallons of water per day. A medium-sized toilet will waste more, while a running bidet will waste a dozen tons of water a month. If your toilet is running and a couple of quick handle jiggles don’t get it to stop, then you should call a plumber.
Of course, the running toilet could be as simple as a leaking flapper. That still wastes water, albeit at a much-reduced rate.
In either case, a plumber will be able to set you right. Sometimes, the toilet will run only for a second or two, intermittently. This is the famous “haunted toilet” that seems to have a ghost flushing it. Most of the time, however, the reason it does this is all too real: a worn-out stopper. It would be a good idea to replace all the inner workings of the toilet when replacing one. That way, you won’t have to have two service calls in quick succession.
Clogged Toilet
Clogged toilets can be annoying. They overflow. They smell bad. They get waste all over the floor. And worse, yet: They can be a symptom of a much more dire situation than you might initially suspect: septic system damage.
Fortunately, clogged toilets aren’t usually a sign of faulty plumbing or impending catastrophe. A few vigorous plunges should clear them. Still, there are times when you need to call a plumber. For instance: If water or sewage backs up in multiple locations within the home, something is seriously wrong.
When these situations occur, the blockage could be anywhere from the septic tank or sewer line to ... well, any pipe in the house. An expert professional plumber might have to use powerful tools to clear the clogs. Sometimes, the clogs happen because people flush stuff that shouldn’t be flushed, such as hair, dental floss and food. You can help keep your toilet, pipes, and sewer and septic tank connections healthy by following the old plumber’s maxim: No. 1, No. 2 and toilet paper only.
Water Heater Not Working
Water heater problems might require the services of a plumber, an expert natural-gas professional, an electrician or any combination of the three. Some common issues include:
Valves giving way, causing the water heater to flood the surrounding area
Corrosion or rust interfering with water circulation in the tank
Bacteria invading the tank and making your water smell terrible
But the most common problem with a water heater is that it doesn’t live up to its name — providing either too little hot water, or none at all.
If it’s the latter, it might be as simple as needing to relight the pilot on a gas heater or replace the heating element on an electric heater. Corrosion, rust, or sediment in the tank — more common in areas with hard water — must be cleaned out for your tank to function properly, and that requires an expert.
A leaking water heater, however, cannot be repaired. It’s done for, and it must be replaced.
Leaky Pipes
Leaky pipes are typically the first thing people think of when it comes to the question of whether to call a plumber. It could be a leaking toilet pipe, a leaking pipe under a sink or just about any other pipe in your home. Leaky pipes, like dripping faucets, create not only enormous water waste but also damage to the home. Water rots wood, causes metal to rust and pools up to form breeding grounds for both bacteria and insects that transmit disease.
Leaky pipes and other fixtures may need replacing. Even the highest-quality items wear out over time. If the culprit is a fixture, it could be so old that finding parts for it will be impossible — at which point it’s better to replace it. Pipes, whether metal or PVC, can be replaced a lot easier than an entire system. A professional plumber will not only be able to advise you on the best course of action, but also to perform the repair or repairs on everything from a leaking pipe under the sink to signs of a near-gusher behind the hallway drywall.
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Just How to Fix Common Household Plumbing Issues
Doing the fixings yourselves on these basic plumbing troubles can conserve you lots of cash. As a home owner, you will come across lots of various plumbing problems that occasionally make a problem.
Low Tide Pressure
Is someone from your family grumbling that there's reduced water pressure from the sink? If yes, then the trouble is the aerator within the sink which may have a whole lot of sedimentation resulting in low water stress.
Running Toilet
You might have experienced a running toilet, which can be rather bothersome due to the fact that the tank won't load up. At the same time, leaving it alone equates to throwing away water and surging up your water expenses.
Toilet fill valve
Leaking flush shutoff
Toilet flapper
Malfunctioning Garbage Disposal System
This frustrating issue is likewise high on the listing of typical plumbing issues. If you shed it, you will need an Allen wrench to fix the problem. You have to go under the sink as well as look for the place where you can place the trick.
Slow Draining Sink
This is the most usual problem of home owners, with the sink accumulating a lot of hair, grease, debris, and various other gunk over time. However, the only means to get a smooth streaming drainpipe again is to clear the debris. You can use a plumbing device for fishing out the debris. From there, you can make use of a store-bought drainpipe cleaner to cleanse the lines.
Sluggish Tub Drain
This is another pesky hassle given that the tub is among one of the most secondhand fixtures in your restroom. Much like the sink drain, hair, soap residue, dead skin cells, and also other cruds pool in the drainpipe typically. You must stand out open the drainpipe cover and utilize a tub claw to get rid of the debris. Do this ASAP prior to the drainpipe blocks totally. After using the claw, you can put drain cleaner to revitalize the drain lines.
You might also end up saving cash in the long run because you can relax ensured that your easy plumbing issue will not intensify. Just make sure you call a credible business with licenses as well as accreditations due to the fact that you will be inviting unfamiliar people in your house.
Some plumbing concerns are extra usual and also can be easily repaired. Doing the repair work yourselves on these straightforward plumbing issues can save you lots of money. As a homeowner, you will certainly encounter many various plumbing issues that occasionally make a nuisance. You can make use of a plumbing tool for angling out the debris. You might even finish up saving money in the long run because you can relax assured that your easy plumbing issue will certainly not escalate.
As a fervent person who reads about Common Household Plumbing Issues, I thought sharing that editorial was a good thing. Sharing is nice. Helping people is fun. I cherish reading our article about Repairing Common Household Plumbing Issues.
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