An average household leak is estimated to squander more than 10,000 gallons of water yearly. Plumbing issues left unattended can be extremely expensive and come back to haunt you when you most need water. It’s awful to turn on the shower and never have hot water.
Many plumbing problems can go unnoticed for a while, which is a concern. We are presented with a hefty charge whenever the issue reaches a breaking point. Avoid having your life disrupted by plumbing problems by being ready and taking preventative measures.
Can you fix it yourself, or do you need to call a plumber? Do you have the money, time, and patience to make it happen? This may rely on a variety of factors, including experience. Here are eight common plumbing issues homeowners face and how to fix them.
1. Low water pressure
Low water pressure is typically an issue at the sink faucet, though it could be at the shower too. To check for adequate water pressure, you must check if it’s affecting both cold and hot water. If the pressure issue exists for hot and cold water, you might have to fix the aerator. Due to consistent water running in the pipes, lime and calcium buildup can occur. The buildup blocks the faucet aerator and can affect your water pressure. Though a blocked aerator is quick to fix, if you’re inexperienced, go to https://pandlplumbing.com/ to book a plumber to come to fix it for you. P and L Plumbing is a trusted plumbing service in Arizona, with an experienced staff and amazing customer reviews. To save your wallet from a bigger bill, just let a professional handle it. The plumber would remove the aerator, clean calcium deposits, and place them back into the faucet.
2. Slow-draining sink
Another common household plumbing issue is a sink that drains very slowly. The pop-up is prone to collect debris and hair over time, whether in the bathroom or kitchen sink. To ease the drain flow, remove the debris and clean it out. Either you can use a plumbing tool to scrape out the debris or remove the steel pop-up, clean it and place it back into the sink. Pop-ups are easy to remove. Some sinks have a nut attached that can be removed by simply using hands. Once you’ve removed it, clean it and place it back into the sink.
3. Faulty faucets
Do you ever wake up at night to check if the bathroom tip is left unopened? Only to find out the faucet has aged old enough to be replaced. Faulty faucets are common, even if the tap is taut. The rhythmic sound of water constantly dripping won’t just give you a sensory overload but waste more than two thousand gallons of water if it goes unchanged for a year. Replace the faucet before your water bill drains your wallet.
4. Running toilet
Running toilets is another common plumbing issue. It is a toilet that keeps running even when not in use. Identifying its cause can be tricky. For this purpose, first find out what caused the toilet to drain water unnecessarily, like does it need a flush valve, flapper, or fill valve replaced. Next, repair the toilet yourself or hire a plumber to help you stop the water from running.
5. Leaking pipes
Many old homes’ pipes were made of copper, prone to rust over time. Nowadays, homes have PEX pipes, a type of plastic that is more flexible. Though copper pipes are more robust than the new PEX ones, they get damaged easily under extreme temperatures. Your copper pipes could become more vulnerable to damage due to the flow of hot and cold water or if you reside somewhere where the weather changes regularly. It also costs a lot to maintain copper pipes from corroding and eventually leaking. To fix leaking pipes, hire an experienced plumber unless you know what you are doing and have everything you need.
6. Jammed garbage disposal
Garbage disposal blockage is a widespread household problem that many people can fix on their own. The problem is people tend to lose the key for unclogging the garbage disposal. The key comes with the garbage disposal system, so look for yours if you face this issue. If you don’t have the key, use an Allen wrench to unclog the disposal chute. At the disposal’s bottom, you’ll see an opening – that’s where you insert the key. If you don’t have the key, use the Allen wrench to turn the motor in both directions until it unclogs.
7. Hose Bibb
The hose bibb is the small faucet in your backyard or on your home’s exterior. It is for accessing water outside the house, washing the car or driveway, or watering the plants. Though used for heavy pressure flow, hose bibbs don’t last quite long. Especially in colder regions, the faucet may become clogged and even crack from frequent temperature changes. If the hose bibb becomes faulty, it may leak, and you might have a water wastage issue. The easiest way to fix the bibb is to replace it with a frost-proof, heavy-duty one.
8. The Sump Pump
Sump pumps frequently stop working when there is a lot of snow or rain. You’ll need to perform routine maintenance to prevent future sump pump failure. Additionally, you ought to examine the installation process.
An incorrectly installed pump will exert more effort and eventually fail. Power shortages can potentially damage sump pumps. If you prefer not to use a sump pump, consider reconsidering your irrigation setup.
Gutter realignment to direct water away from the foundation is a critical first step. Investing in sloping your surrounding foundation to direct water away is worthwhile. To help with irrigation, you might wish to re-level any patios, decking, or concrete surfaces.
Conclusion
A minor clog or faulty toilet can quickly drain your house and wallet. Knowing these nine common plumbing issues and how to fix them can save you a lot of money and hassle. However, if you’re not experienced with plumbing, it is best to hire a plumbing service.
