Common Plumbing Problems and How to Fix Them

One of the most common domestic issues that you will come across sooner or later is definitely related to your plumbing system. There is a wide variety of such problems, from those that are somewhat small and simple to solve on your own (think broken faucet or toilet) to quite serious ones that might require the help of a professional (for example, when your water main bursts and damages a large portion of your property).

In case that you’re handy with the tools and like to take on such projects on your own, in this article, we are going to cover some of the usual plumbing problems and how you should approach them in order to properly fix them.

Clogged sink

Quite often, you’ll come across the issue of the water in your sink draining too slowly. The cause of this is some sort of blockage that doesn’t allow it to flow freely. The kitchen sink most commonly gets clogged due to little pieces of food that end up there after a certain period of washing the dishes with leftovers stuck to them. On the other hand, the kitchen sink most often gets stuck because of strains of hair.

There is a variety of ways to solve a clogged drain. You can use a plunger, but if it doesn’t get the job done on its own, it would be wise to use appropriate chemicals. You could opt for common household solutions such as vinegar and soda or turn to more serious chemicals manufactured for this purpose. Make sure that you wear protective gear when using the latter. Also, there are chemicals you should never mix because they can produce toxic gases.

Leaky pipes

If you encounter unexplained puddles on your property, running water noises, or musty odors that shouldn’t be there, there is a high probability that you’ve got a leaky pipe somewhere. When pipes break and begin to leak, it tends to be a difficult and costly issue. Such a thing most commonly happens right where the joints are. You can visit your local hardware store and get some joint fillers. However, keep in mind that this isn’t a long-time fix. Most often, you need a more serious repair in the form of replacing the whole section of the pipe.

While this is another issue that you can choose to DIY, the fact is that it can cause quite a complication if it isn’t taken care of properly and on time. If things get out of hand, you may have to contact emergency plumbing services as soon as possible. So, if you are on a budget at the moment, settle for some temporary fixes, but make sure that you look for a competent plumber to mend the problem in the long term.

Dripping faucet

A dripping faucet is well-known as the stuff of nightmares. You’ve probably seen a whole lot of movies or cartoons where characters cannot sleep because of this problem, or you’ve experienced it yourself and can validate the claim that these representations aren’t far from the truth. Furthermore, when a faucet keeps dripping for an extended period, you are bound to get higher water bills.

The main part of the faucet that controls the water stream is a washer which is commonly made out of rubber or PVC. When you turn off the faucet, the washer creates a seal that doesn’t allow any more water to be pushed through the pipes and outside. The problem is that, in time, washers either move out of their determined position or wear out and tear. When this happens, they need to be replaced, which is a task that you can do by yourself.  However, if the leak has been around for a longer time, it is possible that the valve seat turned rusty or worn out. This is best left to the professionals.

Running toilet

Just like the faucet, the toilet can also end up in such a state that the water keeps running even though everything else seems to be working fine. This happens because something goes wrong with at least one of the parts that make up its inner system. For example, it could be a worn-out flapper valve or a dislodged fill tube.

What you should do is take a good look at each and every part to make sure that they are all in proper shape and place. For starters, see whether the chain that leads to the flapper isn’t tangled. Check out the fill tube in order to make sure that it’s properly attached and leads to the overflow tube. Also, make sure that the float is set just right for the fill valve to shut off the way it’s supposed to. If, however, the whole system seems to be out of order, it would be wise to look for help, as the problem might be just out of your hands.

Final words

There are some general plumbing tips that you should always follow when you decide to do any repairs on your own.

First and foremost, don’t do anything without making sure that you’re properly prepared. You need to have all the necessary tools at hand and measure everything before you get down to work. Also, it is crucial that you turn the water main off before getting down to anything. You don’t want to flood the whole place if you do something wrong and the water starts spraying all over the place.

Speaking of messy scenarios, you need to remember that no matter what the task at hand is, it isn’t going to be a clean one. Even if things don’t get out of hand, you will most probably end up dirty and wet, so make sure that you’re properly dressed for the occasion.

Finally, make sure that you’ve got a number of a professional plumbing service lying around. When dealing with plumbing issues, things can get out of hand real fast, and you want to be able to call someone right away.

About the author

Maggie Holmes is a passionate blogger keen on writing about beauty, fashion, home improvement and business. Her exclusive hobby is to surf the net to find amazing articles that can inspire her with some fresh ideas for article writing. She loathes being a common person who wastes her time.

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