What is the Most Common Plumbing Problem?

There are lots of problems that may plague your plumbing. Low water pressure, a running toilet, or a lack of hot water are all frequent issues many homeowners have to deal with regularly. However, there are a couple of particularly common issues: clogs and leaks. Here’s a breakdown of these plumbing issues, including why they occur and how they can be resolved.

A Clogged Pipe

Clogs are one of the most significant plumbing issues. Most people will have dealt with a clogged shower drain or a stopped-up toilet at least once and often many times over. The source of this type of issue will vary, but, generally, a clog occurs because something blocks the pipe or the drain. Sometimes household plungers can do the trick and eradicate these inconveniences, however, a plumber will need to be called in when they fail.

Toilet Clogs

When it comes to toilets, you’ll know a clog is an issue if the bowl fills up with water once flushed and then stays full or overflows. If it doesn’t drain, that means there was an attempt to flush something down the pipes that isn’t dissolving, and now a blockage has been created. The culprit could be something like feminine hygiene products, wipes, an object that was accidentally dropped, or just too much toilet paper. Being careful about what is flushed can go a long way toward preventing these situations from recurring.

Toilet clogs are often solved without needing a plumber. A good plunger and a proper technique are usually all that is necessary to resolve a clog. However, if clogs persist or aren’t able to be solved by this method, the next step is to use a snake. However, if you continuously have clogs in the same toilet, or if you ever are unable to get it unstopped yourself, a plumber should be able to help.

Drain Clogs

A toilet isn’t the only thing likely to become clogged, though. Shower and sink drains often get blocked as well. With these types of drains, hair or thick products like conditioner are most commonly the sources of the issue. They can slip into the drain and start to accumulate over time instead of being washed away. Eventually, a clog will form, and the shower or sink will be very slow to drain water if it is able to at all.

The power of the plunger isn’t just limited to toilets, so they can be just as effective on the shower and sink drains as well. However, a chemical agent might need to be introduced when they fail to help resolve the clog. If that still doesn’t help, it’s time for a plumber. However, you can help prevent these issues from ever occurring by cleaning out your drains from time to time, so they aren’t able to build up blockages.

Something is Leaking

Leaks are another very common plumbing problem, and they’re particularly annoying since they can raise your water bill substantially. Sometimes they will take the form of a faucet that continues to drip water even once you’ve shut it off, while other times, the pipes themselves will leak. This is also a problem that can be inevitable, at least with faucets. There are some steps that can be taken to help prevent a leak from starting, but over time, normal use takes a toll, and eventually, faucets wear out.

Leaky Faucets

If you’ve ever heard your sink or shower dripping continuously, a leak is at play. With faucets, there is a washer that is meant to create a seal. However, this may shift in place or become damaged over time, which causes the water to escape the tap and forms a leak.

Unfortunately, you can’t entirely keep a faucet from wearing out. Normal wear and tear eventually results in a leak. That being said, it can help to shut off the faucet slowly instead of abruptly, as this minimizes the force that can lead to components wearing out. Once a tap has begun to leak, you’ll probably need to replace the washer. This can be done as a home repair project, but it’s often a good idea to call a plumber for this task if you’re inexperienced.

Leaky Pipes

Pipes can leak as well, so if you hear dripping and can’t pinpoint the source, start checking in the cabinets under your sinks and look around for signs of water damage. Pipes usually start leaking at the joint, and rust, mineral deposits, or damage can all cause the problem to form. When this happens, the joint will need to be replaced.

Leaky pipes are also difficult to prevent, especially since you are likely not directly handling or viewing your pipes day-to-day. However, catching the problem early can help prevent a bigger hassle, so it’s a good idea to inspect your pipes occasionally. Look for any excess water or moisture and signs like rust that might signal that they are deteriorating.

It can be very easy to fix a pipe by replacing the joint. However, this isn’t always the case. It will depend on many factors, but if the problem is more severe or just too big for you, don’t hesitate to call a plumber.

Call A Professional!

Plumbing problems can be a lot to handle, and they really impact your everyday life. You can’t use a stopped-up toilet or bathe in a tub with a clogged drain. And while leaks may not get in the way of using your sink or shower, they can cost you a lot of money when the water bill comes around, plus they can be quite annoying.

That’s why taking care of these plumbing issues as soon as they occur is essential. It can be possible to fix these things yourself, but calling a professional is usually the better, more efficient option. These jobs can be big and might require more than household tools. Furthermore, the experience and knowledge of a plumber can’t be beaten.

If you’re looking for a plumbing company in Canton or need plumbing repair in Framingham, give Sinclaire Home Services a call today!