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That's the problem: many of the plumbing problems go unnoticed for a long time. We are charged with a huge bill when the problem reaches a breaking point. Don't let plumbing problems ruin your life; be ready and avoid it.
These are the ten most common plumbing problems that you should be aware of. Use our recommendations to help make a wise decision for repair.
Squeezing Faucets
The dripping tap is often associated with insanity. The persistent, rhythmic tone gets tattooed in your head. You begin to hear it even when you are not at home.
One drip per second equals 2600 gallons per year. As your patience decreases, your water bill increases. Do not tense up; get the drip fixed and give it a proper diagnosis.
- Broken-out O-ring
The simplest, most cost-effective fix is for the o-ring and slide to be replaced. An O-ring is a small rubber ring which fits onto the stem screw, holding the handle in place.
Over time, this ring gets worn out as the handle gets pushed and pulled. At some point, you’ll start to get a leak at the base of the handle.
- Old Cartridge
Another significant contributor to leaks over time is the aerator. The aerator is the mesh filter located on the end of the spigot's nozzle. Over time, mineral deposits clog it up.
Water with rust will start clogging the pipes and stress the seals and gaskets, which will lower the pressure. The water filters also need to be replaced every two or three years.
- Bad Valve Seat/Washer
Between the faucet and spout rests the valve seat and washer which keeps it in place. Once again, should these connections have gone bad or been loose, you can leak at the spout. Mineral deposits are usually responsible once more here and corrodes the valve seat.
You may also face difficulty if the washer fitted is not a perfect size. In case there is no suitable seat, the friction loosens the washer, and therefore water crosses it.
Leaky Pipes
Pipes are the main cause of plumbing problems, especially in older homes. These days, PEX is the common material for making pipes. Many old buildings are still using copper ones, though.
Copper is stronger than PEX in normal conditions. But copper performs atrociously at extremums in temperature. Expansion and contraction will bust copper because copper does not flex. PEX flexes.
Copper pipes, also, corrode easily. Prone to much maintenance and upkeep from the leaking copper pipes; know how to prepare your pipes for winter, whichever type it is.
Also Read: Top Benefits Of Deep Cleaning Your House
Toilet Problems
Most often, the toilet leaks inside the tank. An internal leak inside the tank inside your toilet goes unnoticed rather than making an obvious mess on your floor. That's money going down the drain, too, if you don't catch it.
A running toilet can waste hundreds of gallons of water every day. The biggest offenders are the rubber flappers: they lose their shape and refuse to close the tank properly. Sometimes the chain attached to the flapper will get twisted, also, so that doesn't allow the flapper to sit flush on the bottom. The good news is the flapper is just a simple inexpensive fix. This is yet another added advantage: this entire flushing mechanism costs less than $20 and can be done as a toilet leak test at your home with food colouring.
Worn Out Hose Bibb
A hose bibb only lasts one season in the installation. Especially where you know a place will go colder than freezing temperatures. The integrity of the hose bibb will be compromised and cracked due to the temperature swing. If this happens, your hose will leak all over the place. A leaky hose bibb can silently waste hundreds of gallons a month. For those who want to avoid having to constantly replace them over the life of your home, purchase a heavy-duty frost-proof brand.
Clogs and Partial Clogs
Another main reason why homeowners get frustrated is clogged pipes. Clogged toilets are pretty easy. The worst clogs might require a pipe snake or a professional, but otherwise, it's plunge away. Oh, the horror of clogged sinks and drains. When these get really bad, it can be tempting to reach for the drain cleaners. For heavens' sake, please refrain from pouring this toxic waste in bottles down your drain. Sometimes they work, but much more often they're no match for things that can clog your drains. Hair, soap, toothpaste, and toilet paper, of course. Toothpaste caps, brush bristles, and toothpicks will just sit there. The sink should be dealt with a catch for the purpose of an easily accessible drain for things that fall down the sink. If you cannot reach it, then you shouldn't be calling for help.
The Sump Pump
Sump pumps tend to fail whenever it rains or snows. It will require you to perform so much routine maintenance so that the same thing does not happen to you again in the future. What's worse, is that you will have to determine how well it is installed. An improperly installed pump will work harder and wind up failing eventually. Power outages can also ruin sump pumps. If you’d like an alternative to using a sump pump, consider rethinking your irrigation situation. Realign gutters to drain away from the foundation, and slope your surrounding foundation to channel water away- that's a big step. You may want to re-level any patios, decking, and concrete surfaces to further help irrigation. This might sound pricey, but in the long term, it would save you thousands of dollars in repairs and replacements of sump pumps.
No Hot Water
Finding out your water heater isn’t working is a rude awakening. Unless your home is hot inside, cold water showers with no hot water won’t be a fun activity. A hot water heater should last 8-13 years, but that can be cut short if you’re not careful.
- Corrosion and Rust
Their quality will depend on the enclosures that surround them. You can do pretty well if they're situated within the household setting. However, with time, the water heater may develop some outside influencing issues. Although anode rods stop corrosion from forming, anode rods gradually lose potency. When the rods get old, they break down, and the tanks can corrode.
- Sedimentary Accumulation
Hard water contains various minerals which can settle on the bottom of the tank. As water gets pumped through into the home, this sediment can clog and reduce water flow. You’ll need a professional cleaning in order to prevent permanent damage to the water heater itself.
- Poor Size and Pressure
Not all water heaters are appropriate for all homes. A 1-2 bedroom apartment needs a much smaller heater than a 4-5 bedroom home. In fact, if your heater is compact and needs long periods of time, it will not last long. The heating elements in a water heater need proper cooling cycles or risk shortage. You’ll need to make sure the water pressure level is properly configured for your needs, too. Water pressure that is too high can reduce the longevity of the water heater.
What to Watch
You may experience several things when your water heater starts failing. When using hot water, it will smell metallic or have a rusty odor. Taking more than a few minutes for your water to warm up is another indication that something is wrong.
Just check the outside if such issues are apparent. Any unusual crackling or popping coming from it means that immediate repair is needed. The same goes for leaks, big or small. Take proper precautions as indicated by the type of heater, electric or gas systems.
Sewer Problems
One of the worst plumbing problems is probably this one. Sewer systems tend to get backed up and also emit nauseating odours. When your sewer line becomes clogged all your drains will be likewise clogged.
You will know it's the sewer line when every flush acts like a clog and your sinks start pooling water. We recommend that all sewer line repairs be handled by a licensed plumber. The best practice here is the prevention of sewer problems.
Back into the drain
Flush with care. Some facial and makeup wipes don't break down quickly enough due to their structure. These, along with other matter, combine to create a kind of toilet concrete. Food is yet another thing that causes sewer clogs. Do not ever put anything down into the toilet; if you have a garbage disposal, wise up on when to use it.
Scrape food down into it slowly. Do not throw your whole plate in there, even though it can chew its way through it. Sometimes large chunks of food get by the disposal and clog the sewer line. Watch the grease too. Grease down the drain: A big gamble that can go down as liquid but later harden up. If you need to, run hot water for a couple of minutes afterwards to be sure it's clear.
- Trees
If you live next to very large trees, your home may run into problems with sewer lines. Roots from huge trees can push and break through the sewer lines or even squeeze them, which may be really hard to diagnose without a professional plumber.
Water line break
Frost is the biggest threat to water lines. Small leaks in your water line will cause frost to rupture entirely. For a pipe to break, all that is required is a small crack the size of a pinhole.
It pays off to inspect your water line to ensure that all pipes are crack-free. If your water line is older, this could save you thousands in major breaks and leaks. Water damage to your home or foundation could put you into financial ruin.
Water Pressure Too Weak
Low water pressure probably is the most frustrating problem other than that drippy faucet in a normal house. Taking a shower is not very fun, and it is torture to wash the dishes if it is low pressure. Sometimes, this self-corrects in the form of replacing the shower head or faucet. For all other cases, low water pressure might require correction at the valve or pipe level. If you do have a leak that you do not know of, then this might be a cause for concern to take heed of.
Also Read: Deep Cleaning vs. Regular Cleaning: What’s the Difference?
Conclusion
It’s better to act fast in case any of these plumbing services hit your house. A minor leak or plumbing issue can entirely ruin your peaceful life, causing headaches and unnecessary worries. This will also cost you a lot of money, which you, of course, won’t like.
Having a trusted local plumber on speed dial is just the best. Plumbing troubles generally come out of the blue when you least expect them. When you run into an overflow situation with your water, you need somebody quick, experienced, and fair.
You can always consult Zeztate when you have a question or you need a quote. Emergency fixes, too, don't hesitate. We get it right the first time every time.