5 Most Common Plumbing Problems and How to Fix Them

Plumbing problems that are left unchecked can lead to a lot of water being wasted away. It can go a long time until you are hit with a high water bill. You don’t want this to happen so you should always be ready to take steps to prevent them from happening. The following are the 5 most common plumbing problems and how you can fix them.

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   Faucet is Leaking

Leaking faucets are a common plumbing problem. If your tap is leaking, you will be able to hear it and identify the source. Even if the faucet is leaking a bit of water, you should quickly fix it as it can amount to a lot of wasting of water. Leaky faucets can be fixed by replacing the o-ring. The o-ring can get worn out over time and you will experience a leak on the handle base. Old cartridges that are clogged up with mineral deposits can also be the reason why your faucet is leaking. The cartridge should be replaced every few years.

2. Pipe is Leaking

Leaking pipes make up the biggest portion of calls made to plumbing companies. Pipes made from PEX are less likely to leak than copper pipes. Copper can expand and shrink during harsh temperature causing it to break. On the other hand, PEX pipes are more flexible and can succumb to changes in extreme temperature. PEX pipes are made from plastic so they will not corrode which leads to leaking problems. Your plumber can help you to shut off the water supply. You can temporarily stop pipe leaking by wrapping epoxy putty around the area. After that, you should wait for 5 – 10 minutes before turning on the pipe.

3. Toilet is Blocked

Blocked toilets are caused by the careless discarding of various wastes into the toilet bowl. Toilets can get blocked if you flush napkin, food, toys, and plastic bag down. When it gets blocked, it will not flush and the water will start overflowing from the toilet bowl. You can plunge your toilet until the clog is cleared. You can use a toilet auger to break up harder clogs. Sometimes, the toilet is blocked because the chain is twisted. If the flushing mechanism is damaged, you can buy it at the hardware store for a few dollars. It is time to call a plumber if you keep seeing the toilet backing up when you flush. The water just keeps backing up even after you have used a plunger and auger.

4. Sump Pump Failure

Sump pumps can fail when you recently have a lot of floodwater coming into your basement. It is overworked when the water is coming in too fast. If you notice your pump is overworked, you can ask a plumber to install a bigger sump pump. If the sump pump is not working at all, it means that it is not yet installed correctly. Sump pumps can become clogged with dirt and stop working. You know your sump pump is faulty when it runs even though there is no water in the basement. You can hire a plumber to inspect your sump pump and see if it needs replacement. A plumber can help you to clean out a clogged sump pump. He can help you to add insulation around the discharge line to protect it.

5. Water Heater Stop Functioning

A water heater can stop functioning as it should when you do not maintain it properly. It is common to see water leaking on the bottom. This can be due to condensation from the hot water. However, sometimes, it could indicate that a heating element is leaking. If you are not getting hot water, it could be the circuit breaker is tripped and you need to check the breaker box. In the colder months, you have to increase the temperature. Hiring a plumber is recommended as you can accidentally damage your water heater if you attempt to open it up and repair it yourself.