If you’re a homeowner, you’re going to have to deal with various plumbing problems from time to time. The problems may range from minor ones like a dripping faucet to more severe issues like a burst pipe capable of flooding the entire home. Some are caused by normal wear and tear, while others are human errors or system failures.
Regardless of the magnitude of the problem or the cause, you need to understand the problem and how to fix it. Here are some of the most common plumbing problems you’re likely to encounter at home.
1. Dripping Faucets
Dripping faucets are minor plumbing issues but can be a huge nuisance. It is a very common plumbing issue that almost every homeowner has had to deal with at a point in time. That minor drip from your faucet can cause a huge hike in your water bills.
You need to fix dripping faucets as soon as possible to avoid wasting gallons of water every day. But before that, you must understand the cause.
One of the things that cause a dripping faucet is a stiff, worn, or dislodged internal washer. If you don’t know how to fix the dripping faucet problem yourself, call a professional from Rite Way Heating, Cooling & Plumbing.
2. Leaky Pipes
Leaky pipes occur due to incorrect pipe laying, clogs, corrosion, joint damage, and excess pressure. Whatever the cause, leaking pipes are still a big nuisance that you cannot ignore.
Don’t ignore a leaking pipe, even if it only wets the soil around it. That small drip can cost you a lot in your water bills. A leak can expand over time, causing huge water damage in your basement. You don’t want to ignore a leaking pipe only to end up spending a lot restoring your home after water damage.
3. Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure can seem like a simple delay, which you have to deal with on a busy morning. But when the problem persists, it calls for a cause of alarm. Low water pressure can happen because of an even bigger problem that you never thought of.
If you can’t get enough water flowing from your taps or shower, the problem could be corroded pipes, clogged drains, water leaks, blocked sewer lines, and more.
You need to call a licensed plumber to help you find the cause of the problem and do the necessary repairs as soon as possible. You don’t want to wait for the situation to escalate, so you end up spending more than you could have paid if you solved it early enough.
4. Running Toilets
If not checked on time, a running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day. A running toilet issue occurs because of a faulty flapper valve. This valve controls the water passing from the toilet tank to the bowl.
Like dripping taps, this is a minor issue as long as you have the necessary tools and some DIY skills. Apart from running toilets, you can also find it hard to flush and fill your bathroom due to mineral and sediment build-up. Your toilet can also have some slow leaks that you might not notice on time. Check out for all these issues and do necessary repairs before they become a significant concern.
5. Water Heater Issues
If you can’t take a cold shower, then you’ll have a rough day when you wake up and find your water heater is not working. It’s not a new thing to go into the shower, and suddenly the water gets cold. Your water heater may fail when the pilot light goes off, which you can fix by lighting it up.
Another common problem that may cause a water heater to fail is sediment build-up in the tank. It could also be a result of a faulty thermostat.
Apart from the pilot light, which you can simply relight, other water heater issues need an expert to repair. Also, consider regular maintenance of the water heater to prevent such inconveniences from ruining your day.
6. Clogged Drains
No one wants to deal with clogged drains at home. However, it is a common plumbing issue that every homeowner has to deal with at some point. When your drains are clogged, you’ll likely notice water backing up in the sink.
A clogged drain can happen as a result of partial or complete blockage. Items that can clog the drains include hair, lids, or small toys. A simple tool such as a plunger can help solve the problem as you’ll use it to loosen the clogs through air pressure.
You can also use plumbing snakes to dislodge the blockage and allow water to flow freely. You can find all these tools at your local home improvement stores. If you get repeated clogs after several repairs, it’s time to call a plumber to solve the problem once and for all.
7. Sump Pump Failure
During the rainy season, every homeowner looks for a way to direct water away from their homes. Nobody wants to deal with flooding in the basement, which can cause serious water damage. Unfortunately, this is the time when your drainage system or the sump pump may decide to fail.
Sump pump failures occur due to internal and external unit issues. It can fail due to stuck switches, clogged discharge pipes, or heavy rains. Also, if your pumps are old, they’ll likely wear with time and eventually fail. You need to repair and replace them from time to time to avoid problems when you need the sump pump the most.
8. Slow Draining Sink
Your sink may have a blockage that interferes with the free flow of water. Your kitchen sinks can block due to food remains and congealed fat. If the blockage is in a bathroom’s sink, the culprit could be soap and knotted hair.
A simple solution to unblocking a slow draining sink involves pouring a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain. You can also find a chemical remover to help unblock the clogs. Another solution involves the use of plumbing tools such as a plunger and a plumbing snake.
Be careful when using chemicals to unblock the sinks as they may pose a danger to you and your pipes. If used repeatedly, chemicals can cause wear and tear to your drainage pipes. Consider consulting professional plumbers if you must use chemicals to unclog the sinks.
Let Us Solve Your Plumbing Issues
Some plumbing issues are minor, and you can solve them yourself. But working with a licensed plumber is always a good idea, so you get a long-lasting and professional solution. If you’re not an expert, don’t do a trial and error with your plumbing system. You might make the issue worse.
Rite Way Heating, Cooling & Plumbing will be at your service for all your plumbing issues in Tuscon, AZ, and surrounding areas. Whether you have problems with your pipes, drains, toilet, or water heater, we’re here to help. We also offer other services such as indoor air quality, duct cleaning, duct repair, and sewer services. Give us a call today, and let’s give you back your peace of mind.
