Problems with Plumbing: What You Can Do to Prevent Them

Plumbing issues are inevitable. Whether you live in a place with cold climate or a hot one, hearing the drips and whooshes is pretty common issue in the household. However, wasted water, how small the amount is, can add up to your water bill and cause environmental issues. As a homeowner, you have to face these issues sooner or later. While some of them can be handled with proper tools and DIY knowledge, some issues need professional involvement to solve your plumbing issue. In this article, we’ll discuss common problems with plumbing and what you can do to solve them.

Leaky Faucets

Leaky faucets are more of a nuisance than an emergency. Faucets that are leaking can increase your water bill by at least 10 percent. Moreover, a leaky faucet can waste around 3,000 gallons of water every year, which is equivalent to the amount of water used to take 180 showers. 

Infographic Provided By plumbing services greenville sc company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

The primary causes behind a leaking faucet are: 

•  A worn-out O-ring. It’s a washer that connects to the stem screw to hold the handle in position. Typically, these are replaceable and don’t require changing the whole faucet. 
• The faucet cartridge may be damaged. The cartridge is also replaceable. 
• The valves may be corroded. If the water quality in your area is poor, it can cause corrosion and damage to the faucet valves, causing water to drip constantly. 
• Sealants often dry out and cause leakage. It’s easily repairable. 
• High water pressure may be an issue. Try putting a valve before the line. 

Most common faucet issues can be repaired by professionals. However, in case a faucet part is damaged, you may need to replace the unit with a suitable one.

Running Toilet

A running toilet is one of the most annoying problems with plumbing that a homeowner can encounter. The toilet may still be working perfectly, but the running water from the tank can make the experience unpleasant. If not fixed, running toilets can even cause stains and corrosion to the other parts of the toilet and the wall. If that’s the case and you need to repair or replace your toilet altogether, PlumberStock offers high-quality plumbing parts for you. Their wide range of products include, 

• Faucets
• Shower heads
• Valves
• Supply lines 
• And every other major parts required for DIY or professional repairs  

Some reasons for having a running toilet may include: 

• Malfunction of the refill tube. It’s a rubber tube inside the tank that refills the toilet. If it’s underwater, it may cause a running toilet. 
• The float ball may be stuck. The float ball is a lightweight ball that stays above the water level to turn off the refill tube. If it’s underwater, water may overflow. 
• If the flush valve chain is shorter than intended, it can stop the valve from completely shutting itself. 
• The flappers that prevent the water from leaking after each flush may be the reason for your running toilet. 
• A worn-out gasket may also be an issue leading to a running toilet. 

Typical faucet issues can be repaired without the help of a professional. With minimal hands-on experience, you can replace faulty toilet components. However, if you still have running toilet issues, you can contact a professional to check the plumbing system of your tank and toilet. 

Clogged Drains

Clogged or slow drains can cause health issues when left unattended. The drained soap, waste materials, and harmful chemicals can act as a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. In addition to making you and your family ill, clogged drains may also be the reason of foul odor and presence of harmful insects in your home. 

The reasons for clogged drains mostly include: 

• Accumulation of small things like hair, soap, and oil. 
• The drain is causing a bottleneck, which means it is narrower than it should be. 
• Large objects like wipes have been pushed down the drain but got stuck and clogged the pipe. 
• Foreign objects like toys that were accidentally dropped and got stuck in the U-bend. 
• If the issue is outdoors, invasive tree roots can be a cause of concern. 

The best way to prevent drains from getting clogged is to avoid pushing unnecessary things down the sink or toilet. However, despite your efforts to keep the drain clog-free, clogged drains can happen due to minerals and other natural issues. If it’s a minor issue, you can fix it by yourself, but it’s best to contact a professional plumber for serious issues. 

Low Water Pressure

One of the most serious problems with plumbing is low water pressure. It can make any water system in your home unusable. While some areas may naturally have low water pressure, if your property isn’t situated in such place, it can rack up water expenses if there is a leak. 

The most common reasons for low water pressure are: 

• Minerals building up in pipes. Oxidized inner pipe walls can be the cause of reduced water-carrying capacity. While PVC pipes are used in recent times, if your plumbing system is old, it can be the cause. 
• Sand, dirt, and other debris may accumulate in horizontally lying pipes. Solidified grease and oil are also huge contributors. 
• The water meter valve may be clogged or partially closed. Consider checking it first if the water pressure seems lower than usual. 
• Plumbing leakages are also a contributing factor in low water pressure issues. Even a small leak in the main pipe lower water pressure. 
• Supplier issues, although rare, can be the reason behind low water pressure. 

To prevent low water pressure from happening, regular screening and cleaning operations should be done by professionals. Regular cleaning of pipes and valves prevents dirt and other waste from building up and saves you a lot in changing the whole plumbing system.  

The Bottom Line

Hopefully, you’ve understood what it takes to prevent or repair common plumbing issues with the help of tools and professionals. The best way to maintain your plumbing system is to have professionals check it out and clean it every few months. If you can get your hands dirty, clogged drains, low water pressure, and running toilets are easy to fix. However, you may need to change the units after a few years if the problems with plumbing keep coming back. Contact professional services in your area for further guidance. 

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