It’s safe to say that plumbing issues are common, but they might be even more common than most of us think. One in ten Americans has a plumbing leak in their home, and many don’t even know about it.
It can be hard to spot issues in the plumbing if you don’t know what to look for. You might think a symptom of the fault is normal, or neglect to get it looked at because you don’t think it’s that serious.
However, it’s important to spot plumbing problems and get them fixed early before they become bigger and cause a lot of damage.
Here are the most common plumbing issues.
1. Dripping Faucets
One of the most common plumbing questions is, “why is my faucet dripping?” You can have it all the way turned off and yet you still notice the steady drip of water into the sink.
This is usually because of broken washers that need to be replaced because friction will cause them to wear out as time goes on. However, there is a number of other possibilities.
If you notice your faucet is dripping, you can shut off the water when you call a plumber to ensure it will stop until they get there.
2. Clogged Drains
You’ll notice a drain is clogged if the toilet can’t flush properly or water rises elsewhere in the house when it goes down a drain. For example, if you have a shower in the basement, you might notice it coming up through there.
It’s impossible to say what’s clogged your drain from guesswork. It’s one of the common plumbing problems in old homes and new homes alike, because so much can cause it.
Too much grease might have gone down the sink. Someone might have flushed something they shouldn’t have.
It’s good to be preventative when it comes to drains and make sure you aren’t putting things down the drains that shouldn’t be there. This includes throwing away any food, taking advantage of the garbage disposal, and flushing wet wipes down the toilet.
If your drain is already clogged, there are some at-home solutions like a plunger, but you may need to call a plumber.
3. Poor Water Pressure
Many people have been familiar with poor water pressure. You step into the shower, turn it on, and the spray is so light it’s barely enough to rinse.
If your home has a pressure regulator, it might be failing. Otherwise, there could be an issue with the water supplier or something else along the line.
There are so many possible problems that could be causing it, but it’s a common symptom of something else.
4. Frozen Pipes
If you live in a cold place, you might want to let your faucets drip slightly when the temperature plunges below zero. This can stop the pipes from freezing.
If your pipes have already frozen, you may find out when you wake up and have no water! Frozen pipes can be very dangerous, as they can burst.
If you can reach the part of the pipe that’s frozen, you may be able to use gentle heat like a hairdryer to thaw it. However, if that isn’t working or you can’t reach the part of the pipe that’s frozen solid, a plumber may need to do the job for you.
5. Leaking Pipes
Another one of the pipe problems is when they leak. Unfortunately, you may only discover this when you get hit with a huge water bill!
You may also be able to see the physical evidence of leaking pipes. They often come with wet spots around the house or the smell of mold and mildew, since chances are, the water is leaking directly into the house.
The damage will only get worse, so if you have even the slightest suspicion you have leaking pipes, call a plumber. Leaking pipes account for 10,000 gallons of wasted water every year, so they’re no joke!
6. Running Toilet
A running toilet can be frustrating, as it’s difficult to know the cause. Chances are, it’s an old flapper that needs to be replaced.
If you’re not well-versed with the system, you might not be able to tell — and it may not be the flapper at all! It’s also possible that the refill tube has to be shortened, or a number of other issues.
The important thing is not to panic if your toilet keeps running, but you do need to get it fixed as soon as possible.
7. Water Heater Issues
Your water heater is always at work behind the scenes to provide you with hot water, even though you may not think of it very often. However, you’re sure to notice if that hot water stops coming!
Water heater issues are common, but there are a number of different causes. It could be anything from a faulty heating element to a lack of power. The problem may not be a plumbing issue at all, but an electrical one.
Regardless, a plumber will be able to look into it and diagnose the problem so you know what to do next.
These are the Common Plumbing Issues
There are a number of both easy and difficult plumbing problems that are very common in the home. You may not notice some of them, but you should keep an eye out as things like pipe problems can get progressively worse.
If you even suspect you might have a plumbing problem, call in an expert to come and take a look. That way, you’ll have peace of mind.
For emergency plumbing services in Bedford, Ohio, that you can trust, contact My Guys Now today.
