Whenever there are plumbing problems in your home, it can be frustrating, especially since plumbing usage is essential; after all, people need to wash dishes and use the bathroom. Plus, when you have plumbing problems in your home, you may not know if it will be a quick fix or if a significant revamp of your plumbing system needs to happen.
So, what are the most common plumbing problems that can occur in a home?
If you see any of these problems in your home, be sure to call a professional to assist you.
1. Your Faucets Are Dripping
The reasons for your faucet dripping can be simple or more complex. Some simple issues can be a loose O-ring, a worn-out washer, or an improperly installed washer. If you have any of these problems with your faucet, you may be able to fix it yourself.
But, other issues like a damaged cartridge, water pressure that is too high or too low, or a deteriorated valve seat may mean bigger repairs need to be done to your plumbing. If you have one of these more significant problems, it may be wise to call a professional.Â
2. Your Pipes Are Leaking
Leaking pipes in homes is more common than you would think. And, it is an absolute nuisance because you have to worry about water getting into your cabinets or on the floor. When most people have a leaky pipe, they put something underneath it to catch the water, but this does not solve the ultimate problem.
You may have leaky pipes due to stubborn clogs, cracked seals or pipes, pipe corrosion, incorrect pipe laying, and joint pipe damage. In other words, if you have a leaky pipe, you have a big problem!
3. Your Toilets Are Running
A widespread plumbing problem that most homes have is a running toilet. A running toilet can waste around 24,000 gallons of water a month, depending on the trickle rate of the leakage. So, it is essential to get this fixed to save water and your water bill, too!
Some causes of your toilet running can be due to worn-out flapper seals or flush valves, corroded toilet handles, refill tube problems, and not having the right-sized flapper chains. Most of these problems can be fixed by buying the part and installing it. Be sure to purchase the right part for your toilet and install it correctly.
4. Your Drains Are Slow or Clogged
Slow or clogged drains are another common plumbing problem for homeowners or renters. The reason your pipes are draining slowly or are clogged is usually due to hair and other things constantly going down the drain. When too much of anything gets in your pipes, it can cause clogging, which makes the water drain slowly.
The way to prevent this is to do a drain cleaning about every three months. If you have a clogged drain in your kitchen or bathroom, it is usually isolated to that part of the home, but if it is in multiple places, that can indicate sewer line problems. If that is the case, do not hesitate to call a professional plumber.
5. Problems with Your Water Heater
Nearly everyone has a water heater in their home, and it is common for water heater problems to come up occasionally. Your water heater may be having problems due to heater element failure, corrosion or sediment build-up, loose or broken electrical connections. Other reasons are you have the wrong-sized water heater for your home, or it was not installed correctly. Unless you know what you are doing, it is best to bring in a professional for this one.
Conclusion
No matter what type of plumbing problems are in your home, they are never fun to deal with. Some issues can be dealt with on your own, and others need to be left for the professionals. If you have any plumbing problems, you should take care of them as soon as possible to prevent more significant problems from occurring.
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