Six Common Plumbing Issues and How to Resolve Them
Your plumbing system is important to your home’s flow. Plumbing brings your house all your water and removes all your waste. When your house experiences any plumbing issues, it’s important not to panic and to take action.
We commonly see certain types of plumbing issues and with all of them, there are actions you can take to help the situation. Here are six common plumbing issues with tips on how to resolve each one.
1. Leaky Pipes
If you find a puddle of water in places where you didn’t plan on it, there’s a good chance you’ve got a leaky pipe. Leaky pipes are a common occurrence and depending on the cause of the leak can be straightforward to fix.
Once you find the cause of the leak shut off the water supply. Next, inspect the area for any damage. If the leak is coming from a joint the fix is as simple as removing the pipe and adding sealant. If the leak is coming from damage or a hole in the pipe, the fix will get more complicated requiring the pipes to be replaced.
2. Dripping Faucet
A dripping faucet can seem like a non-issue, but if it’s been going on for a long period time, it can really rack up your water bill.
The cause of this issue is usually a poor seal in the faucet handle. By replacing the rubber washers, you create a proper seal thus stopping the constant dripping.
3. Weak Water Pressure
Weak water pressure can really ruin the experience of a shower. Luckily it can be a relatively easy issue to remedy.
If the low pressure is happening in one of the showers, the fix can be quite easy. Simply remove the shower head and soak it in rubbing alcohol or vinegar overnight. This will remove any gunk or build-up in the shower head. If the low pressure is happening in multiple locations, this is likely an indicator for a more serious build-up throughout the house that will require a professional inspection.
4. Running Toilet
This can be one of the more annoying plumbing issues homeowners have to deal with. Not only does a running toilet make a lot of noise but it wastes an enormous amount of water.
Start by taking off the cover of the water tank on the toilet. Ensure that the flap at the bottom is completely sealing the hole. You may be able to just manually adjust it, but if it’s broken you will need to replace the part. Luckily, it’s a very common part sold at most hardware stores.
5. Backed Up Drains
If a human is using a drain, there’s a chance it will inevitably get backed up. Fear not for this has been a problem since the beginning of modern sanitation with easy solutions for fixing it.
The cause of the back up is most likely going to be hair or some sort of dense material blocking the drain. Use an auger or ‘snake’ to dislodge the clog. Be careful not to use any chemicals or handmade tools during the process of unclogging.
6. Dishwasher Not Draining
A dishwasher in the kitchen adds an enormous amount of convenience when it comes to keeping your kitchen clean and tidy. Unfortunately, opening the dishwasher and finding a pool of water on the bottom can create a big inconvenience.
If you experience a clogged dishwasher, first, try running the garbage disposal. A full disposal or an air pocket in the line can cause a dishwasher to not drain. Next check the bottom of the dishwasher for any dishes or food particles that could be clogging the drain. If there’s nothing blocking the flow of water on the bottom, then it’s time to check the filter. The filter is located underneath the dishwasher and will require the user manual to effectively clean.
One Hour Rooter is your trusted plumber in the Twin Cities Metro area. Call us at 612-354-8984 if you need help with any plumbing projects.
