Everyone has experienced one or more plumbing issues in their homes. Whether you’re a tenant or a homeowner, you have likely faced problems with a clogged drain or a leaky faucet. Fortunately, the most common plumbing problems we face at home require easy solutions, and you can even do it yourself.
On the other hand, it’s advisable to contact professional plumbing services if you face extensive plumbing issues. Sometimes, attempting to solve a plumbing problem without the right equipment and expertise may result in a disaster. Therefore, it’s best to contact a plumbing service immediately.
Below are the top five most common plumbing problems homeowners face and how you can fix them:
1. A Slow-Draining Sink
Slow draining sinks are often irritating to handle. You may notice that your kitchen or bathroom sinks are starting to drain water slower than normal. When a sink functions normally, the water will likely go through the drain very quickly.
The primary culprit behind a slow-draining sink is a blockage. If it’s a kitchen sink, the blockage could be caused by stuck food or other waste materials from your kitchen, while bathroom sinks drain water slowly due to hair blockages.
It’s easy to unclog a clogged pipe if the waste collection isn’t too extensive. Unclogging releases the pressure from the drainpipe, allowing water to drain faster. You can unclog the drainpipe by using a handy-dandy snake or plunger.
After a few tries, if the sink is still clogged, it might be time to call a professional plumber. If there is an extensive blockage, a simple plunger might not be enough to unblock it.
2. A Leaking Plumbing Pipe
Almost every homeowner has experienced a leaking pipe. This problem often makes up a larger percentage of all plumbing problems, especially in older houses. Plumbing pipes are prone to bursting due to normal wear and tear.
Alternatively, your pipes’ lifespan may be affected by conditions such as extreme temperature fluctuations, causing them to easily expand and contract. This often leads to the breakage of copper pipes, leaving you with a plumbing problem on your hands.
If you are constantly dealing with leaking pipes, consider changing your pipes to the current PEX ones used in new buildings. This is a better and longer-lasting alternative because PEX pipes have a longer lifespan. Extreme temperature changes won’t break or tear them, so the problem is solved.
3. Reduced Water Pressure
Have you ever hopped into the shower, hoping to take a quick shower, but the water pressure was too low? This often results from the build-up of minerals in the water. Your water contains minerals such as calcium that usually clog the pipes as the water travels through them.
With time, the mineral sediments are deposited on your pipes, leading to plumbing issues such as low water pressure. A great way to remove the minerals and increase your water pressure is by cleaning your shower head with vinegar. This eliminates the buildup, leaving your shower head clean and fresh.
You can also use this cleaning method to get rid of mineral build-up in other water fixtures in your house, such as faucets.
4. Toilet Problems
Have you noticed that your water bill is significantly higher without any reasonable explanation? You don’t have leaking faucets, and your pipes are in tip-top condition. The problem could be your toilet.
You could be dealing with an internal water leak in your toilet. To determine if this is the cause, listen to all the bathrooms in your house for the sound of constant running water. If your toilet sounds like it’s constantly running, there could be an issue with the rubber flapper.
Fixing this issue is easy, and all you need to do is replace the rubber flapper. This should stop the toilet from constantly running, saving you a few dollars on your water bill. But if this doesn’t solve the issue, make sure you call a reputable plumber to check the cause of the problem.
5. Water Heater Issues
Water heater problems are also common plumbing issues. Can you hear any unusual gurgling and banging noises coming from your water heater? Is your water too hot or not hot enough?
A faulty water heater needs urgent plumbing solutions. Your heater could be failing either because your thermostat is defective or because the pilot light is going out. Another possibility is mineral and sediment buildup in your water heating tank.
Whatever the problem is, it’s not advisable to handle water heater issues alone unless you are a professional plumber. Contact a local plumbing company to check on it. Whether you are dealing with a heating element failure in the tank or loose electric connections, it’s best to leave the job to professionals.
6. Blocked Garbage Disposal
There is a garbage disposal appliance under your kitchen sink, between the trap and the drain. Garbage disposals often get blocked when you throw in solid food waste, silverware, or run it without water. Avoid throwing away foods such as corn husks and potato peels.
So how can you fix this issue? If you notice the garbage disposal is jammed, click on the reset button. If this proves futile, open it using your keys.
You can also use a quarter-inch Allen wrench to free the motor and unjam the garbage disposal.
Are You Ready to Handle Your Plumbing Problems?
Your home’s plumbing system is prone to problems. Whatever the problem is, make sure you carefully consider whether it’s something you can handle or whether you need to bring in a professional.
Not all simple plumbing problems can be solved with DIY methods. Be careful not to damage your pipes, water heater, or sinks when trying DIY solutions for your plumbing issues.
If you are facing any plumbing issues in Oklahoma City, contact Above + Beyond Plumbing, and we will handle all your plumbing issues. If you need plumbing maintenance, repairs, or a new pipe, we can help. We can do it all.