Most Common Plumbing Problems And How To Avoid Them/ Fix Them
Facing a problem in your plumbing system is a daunting concept, no matter how small it is. After all, many situations are the result of a moment of carelessness and can be avoided easily. To help you avoid and solve common plumbing problems, we've compiled a list of the most common problems. You are ultimately responsible for maintaining the plumbing in your building since it is part of it.
Problem 1: Leaking Faucets
Leaky faucets are one of the biggest problems owners encounter most of the time. Whether it is in the bathroom or the kitchen, the annoying dripping is not only a constant source of irritating noise. It also racks up a high water bit. There are many reasons why your faucet might leak, including:
- Many have faucets with two handles for hot and cold water. These faucets have a cartridge, a valve on each handle to control water flow. If the faucets are leaking, then the cartridge could be damaged.
- The washers, usually resting against the valve seat, might be broken due to friction.
- Water pressure can also cause this problem. It is only noticeable when it happens at certain times.
- Corrosion of valve seats due to sediment buildup can also cause leakage.
- The O-ring has become loose or worn out.
How To Avoid It:
Well, total avoidance is not possible. Faucets, at the end of their lives, or their component's lives, start to leak, regardless of how much you were careful. We can't fight with time. However, we can extend the lifetime simply by taking some precautions. Avoid exerting unneeded pressure on them when in use. Also, don't turn them off too tightly, not too loosely, so the water is dripping. This will help in the long run.
How To Fix It:
Once the faucet has started to drip, there is no other way to fix it except to replace the faulty component. Sometimes, the entire thing needs to be replaced. Only in the case of water pressure, the fixing has to be done somewhere else.
For replacement, first, turn off the mains water supply. Disassemble the faucet handles, and detach the valve stem. Now scrutinize the whole thing thoroughly to figure out what needs to be replaced. Alternatively, just call a plumber and be done with it.
Problem 2: Slow or Clogged Drains
Who is not aware of the struggle with clogged drains? The dirty water draining slowly or even flowing back up tells the whole tale without any words. The biggest tragedy about clogged drains is that they could be avoided entirely if you are careful. Nevertheless, removing the clogging from the drains is essential, not just due to plumbing, but also from the sanitation point of view.
How To Avoid It:
There are different ways to avoid it in the kitchen and the bathroom, but the gist is the same; don't pour down anything that doesn't belong there.
For Kitchen:
- Avoid pouring down grease and oil. After cooling down, please place it in a sealable container and throw it away.
- Don’t throw leftovers in the sink. Scrap the dishes off first, and throw the food crumbs in the trash.
- Don't pour down the coffee ground.
For Bathroom:
- Don't throw your hair in the drain.
- Use a mesh or stainless steel strainer to catch the hair. Clean it after every use.
- Avoid throwing dental floss down the drain. That is sharp.
- Brush your hair beforehand to avoid hair fall during the shower.
- When bathing your furry pet, drape a washcloth over the drain.
For Both:
- Clean and Flush drains weekly.
- Please make use of bacterial drain cleaners to keep them functioning correctly.
How To Fix It:
It is something you can do by yourself without any difficulty.
- Clean the strainer after every shower.
- Clean the drain stopper after removing it. After all the debris and blockage are removed, reassemble it.
- Use the plunger with push and pull movements to remove clogging.
- Use a plumbing snake or auger in the drain to open it.
- If all of that is not available, use a coat hanger with a curved handle in the pipes. Avoid using one with sharp edges.
Or avail the services of drain cleaners.
Problem 3: Blocked Toilets
There is no doubt that blocked toilets are a nightmare. Not only is it not working correctly, that unbearable smell also gets on your nerves. Just like clogged drains, this is also entirely avoidable. Again, you need to keep away things that have no sense in being there.
How To Avoid It:
- Don’t flush diapers. They are not biodegradable.
- Avid flushing feminine hygiene products down the toilet.
- Don't throw hair or dental floss in there.
- Flush after every use.
- Keep your children’s or pet’s toys away from the toilet, especially the small ones.
- The toilet is not a garbage disposal. Please don't use it to dispose of your trash.
How To Fix It:
- If the clogging happens due to something solid, like a child's toy, remove it.
- Use a plunger excessively.
- If nothing works, call the plumber.
Problem 4: Leakage
Leakage is the most annoying problem among all the plumbing problems. The visible leaking pipes are easy to catch because they are visible. It's the hidden underground pipes that are real problems. They are not easy to track and can cause considerable damage to the infrastructure of your property.
How To Avoid It:
- Avoid using rusty old worn-out pipes.
- Turn off all the faucets properly after use.
- Seal all the joints in the pipes tightly.
How To Fix It:
- Identify the source of the leakage.
- Replace the leaking pipes.
- Seal all the joints or connections in the pipes tightly.
- In the case of underground pipes, call a professional. Please don't mess with it yourself because that can be dangerous.
Problem 5: Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure is not just a problem; it is a sign of a bigger problem present in your plumbing. It has to be handled carefully. There are many reasons for this to occur, leaking or corroded pipes, shared pipelines, issues in water mains, clogging, etc. Every scenario needs its own unique solution.
How To Avoid It:
- If the problem is with the mains water supply, contact them. Ask them if there is a change in water supply regulation. If not, tell them about your problem clearly so they can do something about it.
- Contact your contractor to open the eater meter valve properly. If the plumbing-related work is being done, instruct them during the job to do so.
- Open the main house shutoff valve all the way.
How To Fix It:
- Open the main house shutoff valve all the way.
- Remove clogging from drains.
- In the case of shared pipelines, try to schedule your routine around the times when water pressure is ok.
- Replace the pressure regulator.
- Replace and repair all the broken, leaking, or corroded pipes.
Problem 6: Water Heater Issues
Out of all, the issues regarding water heating are the most painful, especially when it’s in winter.
How To Avoid It:
- Regulate your thermostat in case of too hot or cold water.
- Don’t let the burner get damaged.
- Tighten the connections and joints with a wrench.
- In case of no hot water, check the water heater's circuit breaker. If it is has tripped, then use the turn-off and on method.
How To Fix It:
- Replace the damaged heating element.
- Replace any leaking pipe or tank.
- Check all the circuits in case of the electrical water heater. However, you need to be careful when doing that because even a tiny mistake can prove to be fatal.
- Get the water heater tank cleaned. If it is leaking, then replace it.
When Should You Call A Plumber:
It is possible to fix many plumbing problems on your own. You need to search for a simple tutorial from the internet and follow it. However, there are times when calling a plumber becomes necessary.
If the problem is simple enough, like a clogged pipe, toilet, or drain, do it yourself. But if the situation is difficult, you should contact the professional, lest you mess it up further. If the job involves gas or electric connections, you shouldn't even try to do it yourself. That is extremely dangerous and causes a lot of damage.
Additionally, if you are unable to figure out the source of the problem after you have ruled out the obvious, the matter is out of your hands. You don't have either knowledge or specific equipment. It's better to hand it over to a professional instead at this point.
