Most Common Plumbing Issues and How To Fix Them… Plumbing issues, be it a leaking faucet or drainage complications, threaten to destroy the structural integrity of a property. If allowed to go undetected, water leakage and minor plumbing issues can wreak havoc and cause immense destruction. It is essential to address these issues with efficient solutions before you find your house drowning in water.
Even the most minor and insignificant of plumbing issues can turn into a full-blown disaster. Therefore, it is vital to equip yourself with plumbing solutions and tools. Many homeowners find plumbing issues scary and complicated. However, not every problem requires you to call a plumber and pay hundreds of dollars for minor plumbing repairs.
Many of these issues can fix with simple DIY strategies. Naturally, if the situation gets out of hand, you can call an expert to fix it for you. However, common household plumbing issues don’t require much expertise or specialization. It is essential to stay calm and avoiding panicking.
You need to approach the plumbing issue with a pragmatic strategy. It can be stimulating to stay calm when a flood of water threatens to damage your wooden flooring. But plumbing solutions require a clear head and gentle disposition. If you detect a burst pipe or another source of water leakage, you need to act quickly. Immediately turn off the main electric and water supplies.
Be sure to shut off all valves and water supplies, and be sure to invest in efficient tools. You don’t need any specialist tools, just a cranked spanner, drain rods, plunger, pipe wrench, and pipe repair clamps. In this article, we will discuss six common plumbing problems and how you can fix them.
Here’s everything you need to know:
1. Drainage Issues
Blocked or sluggish drains are one of the most common plumbing issues in any given household. Now, if you lack basic plumbing understanding, calling a reliable plumber is a viable solution. However, if you are willing to solve it yourself, you will find it to be a minor complication. Drainage issues usually occur due to hair buildup, soap scum, and other hygiene products that buildup in drains. These cause the drainage mechanism to slow down or get blocked entirely.
Slow drains can quickly fix.
You simply have to remove the drain cover and clean away the buildup and debris. It can be extremely unpleasant and be sure to wear rubber gloves. An auger is also an effective solution to clear out the pipes and pull out the debris. If an auger proves ineffective, try using a plunger to open up the drain.
Instead of using harsh chemicals to unclog the drain, try a homemade solution of vinegar and baking soda. It will unclog the drain and speed up the drainage process without damaging the pipes. If you are unable to flush the toilet effectively, or the bathtub refuses to drain the water. It is a sign of a blocked drain, which can cause immense damage.
The most natural solution is to clean the drain and eliminate all obstructions that are blocking it. However, if that does not help, you will have to lift the drain cover and examine the drain pipes more closely. Put on your gloves and use a drain rod, and plunge to help you remove the obstructions.
Be sure to avoid turning the rod anticlockwise, and it can unscrew and get stuck, leaving you with a much bigger problem. Use the plunger to remove the obstruction that is causing the blockage. When you did, take a hosepipe and allow the water to flush out any remnants of debris inside the pipes.
2. Running Toilets
Another reasonably common plumbing issue that you can quickly fix yourself. The majority of the problems that cause a toilet to run over do not require any specialized solutions. Typically, these problems caused by a damaged flapper. You simply have to readjust the float or invest in a new chain. These solutions do not get very expensive and offer a quick fix. However, if they fail to resolve the issue, it is best to call a plumber to avoid further damages.
3. Garbage Disposal Issues
Garbage disposals offer immense convenience and utility. However, they also require great care and maintenance to ensure they run efficiently. If you run the disposal without water or toss in damaging items, such as silverware or potato skins, it gets damaged.
You can fix these issues by cleaning out the equipment and eliminating all food particles or items, causing the obstructions. Hitting the reset button can also set the problem.
4. Leaking Pipes
If your pipe has damaged, a pipe repair clamp can temporarily stop the leakage until you find a permanent solution. You clamp it over the burst area or screw it onto the pipe. A self-fusing tape is another repair solution. Just be sure to clean all the dirt from the pipe before you apply the tape.
It is advisable to stretch the tape to increase its length and be quick at wrapping it around the pipe. Start by covering both sides of the burst area and cover the hole, causing the leakage afterward. Burst pipe coupling offers a much more reliable and permanent solution. If the damaged area of the pipe is not too long, you can also dispose of it.
If you can install a new section of pipe, it would be the perfect solution, but it requires specialized expertise.
5. Leaking Taps
Leaking taps and dripping faucets can raise your water bills to an alarming extent. More alarmingly, they can lead to erosion in sinks and baths, and other problems caused by excessive dampness. The best solution for this problem depends on whether your tap powered with ceramic discs or washers.
You can check this by turning the tap, and if it doesn’t turn more than a quarter-inch, it fitted with a ceramic disc. If it turns further than half an inch, it features a washer. You can replace the ceramic disc or packing, but it will require you to open up the taps. Be sure to take care of all the screws and essential parts and prevent them from falling into the sink. Replacing the damaged parts will require you to lift off the tap head and disassemble it completely. Use a spanner to loosen the valve, and then, you simply have to replace the damaged parts and re-assemble.
6. Reduced Water Pressure
Is your shower drizzling out water instead of its typical steady stream? Or perhaps, your kitchen sink is suffering from a reduced pressure of water. If the reduction in water pressure is just in the case of hot water, be sure to examine the water heater. If the shut-off valve is not entirely open, the problem can solve by opening it up. Or if that doesn’t solve the issue, it is best to call a plumber as fiddling with the water heater can be dangerous.
If both cold and hot water pressures have reduced, a clogged aerator may be the culprit behind the problem. You can either replace the aerator or clean it up with a vinegar solution. Soaking the shower head in a vinegar solution can also help increase water pressure.
The Final Word
It is essential to understand that you cannot solve all your plumbing issues yourself. If you are a novice, fumbling around with tools and pipes can cause more damage. As an owner of the house, saving money should always be a priority. But you must also prioritize the structural integrity of your house. You can always fix the minor issues but leave significant complications to the experts.
