5 Common Home Plumbing Problems
When you own a home, it's important to be prepared for common plumbing problems. See which common problems you can fix on your own and which ones need a professional.
Leaking Water Spigots
Leaking water spigots are a common problem after hard freezes. Exterior pipes that aren't properly insulated or irrigation systems that aren't thoroughly blown out are vulnerable because water expands as it freezes. This can crack the pipes. If it's not quite immediately, the crack can widen, waste a lot of water, and even cause water damage if it gets into the wall. Call a plumber as soon as possible.
Leaking Pipes
While leaking spigots can be wasteful or inconvenient, leaking pipes are more serious. Leaking pipes are either damaged or have an insecure joint. Leaks can also develop unnoticed over time, leading to long-term water damage, rot, and mold. A trained plumber can replace old and brittle washers, replace the joints, and look for underlying problems.
Clogged Drains
Grease, soft food deposits, and more can clog up your kitchen sink drain. Soap and hair can also clog bathroom drains. These materials can slow down or fully block the drain pipes. Use a plunger to dislodge clogs, a plumbing snake to snag and remove blockages, or chemical drain cleaners to dissolve buildup.
Hard Water
Depending on where you live, you may have hard water: water with high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium that create buildup. Hard water deposits can stain your fixtures and build up on appliances, water filters, and coffee machines. While you can easily install a water filter at your sink, talk to a plumber about installing a water softener or a water filter that integrates with your pipes.
Running Toilets
Running toilets aren't an emergency plumbing problem, but they do waste water and make noise. This problem is caused by small imperfections like a flapper that no longer fits, a float that's not balanced, or a fill tube that got knocked a bit loose. DIYers can investigate each of the parts in their toilet tank kit to adjust the water flow. In most circumstances, the parts just need a bit of adjustment or you'll need to replace them with a toilet kit from a big box store.
For these and other plumbing problems, contact us at A R Engh Heating & Air Conditioning. We can help you zero in on the solution for common home plumbing problems or send a trained plumber to your home.