Common Home Plumbing Problems And Solutions

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With the costs associated with being a homeowner, nobody particularly wants to add plumbing repairs into the mix. This being said, catching plumbing problems early on can stop them from developing into something more costly, and save you a lot of money in the long run. Typical home plumbing problems tend to have simple solutions that either yourself or your plumber can fix quickly and for little cash. It can also cut down on your water bill, which is likely to be high if you’re experiencing a leak or dripping faucet. Here are some common home plumbing problems to look out for.

Dripping faucet

It might seem like more of an irritation than a problem, but you can actually be wasting a lot of money every year, one water droplet at a time, by ignoring a leaking faucet. It’s usually caused by the corrosion of a washer or seal over time, somewhere within the faucet’s mechanism. As the water that enters your home is under pressure, even the tiniest gap in the washer can allow a small trickle of water through, and there you get your drip, drip, dripping.  Although it’s possible to replace a leaky washer yourself, unless you have specialist tools, it can be worthwhile letting a plumber do it, as the valve seat may have become corroded as well.

Leaky pipes

As pipes age, they break down. This can be exacerbated by certain water types, build up of limescale, and fluctuations in temperature. A small leak can be fixed by replacing the leaking section or joint, once the water is turned off at the mains. If you can locate the leak, your job is easy, and you can probably do it yourself. However, if your piping is older, you may need all of the piping replacing. Piping made from polybutylene is especially susceptible to leaking. Replacing pipe is usually work that needs to be undertaken by a professional.

Clogged drains

If the water in your bath or sink is draining unusually slowly, it is usually the fault of a clogged drain.

Usually caused by a buildup of hair, hair products, or food, a trusty plunger is normally enough to get the water moving again. If you can reach the clog with a pair of tweezers, it’s better to pull it out and dispose of it, rather than push it further into the piping. Which store-bought drain unblockers are useful chemical alternatives to a plunger if your clogged drains are enough of a problem to consider caustic chemicals, it’s probably time to call out a professional.

Low water pressure

A common cause of low water pressure into your house is a fault with the municipal water supply, and there’s not much that you can do about that other than inform your local water board. If it’s a problem from within the house it could be as simple as a buildup of sediment on faucet aerators and shower heads, in which case if you give them a good scrub and soak in vinegar, you should see an improvement. If not, it could be a bigger underlying problem, and you’re most likely going to have to ask for professional assistance.

If you’re experiencing any of these problems, hopefully, this will help!