Every homeowner is responsible is for the maintenance of the house. As soon as you buy a house, you automatically commit to maintaining it. Besides, it’s only right that you take care of what’s keeping you.
With time, you will inevitably encounter some maintenance issues. Plumbing is one of those common issues. You may have a well-installed plumbing system, but like all things, it can fail. Just as much as you need to have a local professional electrician on speed dial, you need a local professional plumber on speed dial too. For example, you can contact the #1 plumber in Caroline Springs if you live in that area. But you can look for local ones closest to you as well.
That said, here’s an overview of the top household plumbing challenges you may encounter and how you can overcome them:
Dripping Faucets
This is perhaps one of the most common plumbing problems every household has faced at some point. Not only are they annoying, but they can increase your water bill too. Therefore, you can’t ignore a dripping faucet for too long. Several things can cause this. Here’s a list of the common causes and potential solutions.
- Worn O-ring— This is a small rubber ring attached to the stem screw. The best way to deal with this is to replace it.
- Clogged Aerator— With time, the aerator can get clogged due to mineral deposits. You may notice that water pressure will be lost gradually, consequently burdening the seals and gaskets. Therefore, consider replacing the aerator every few years to avoid dripping faucets.
- Worn out Valve— Mineral deposits can corrode the valve seat, becoming loose over time. The washer may be loose as well, and it’ll let water pass through the valve. This needs to be replaced as well.
Clogged Shower Drain
Clogging is caused by a buildup of soap or hairs that fall off during showering. To deal with this problem, use a plumber’s snake or plunger.
Take note, when using a plunger, make sure that it’s completely submerged in water and that you add petroleum jelly to the suction pad. Using a plunger may require you to put in extra effort, depending on how clogged the shower is.
Another helpful tip would be to use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to help dissolve the gunk in the shower drain.
However, if you’d like to prevent shower clogs permanently, equip your shower with a drain guard. Drain guards are inexpensive.
Leaking Pipes
With time, it’s common for pipes to suffer corrosion, causing them to leak. One of the most obvious signs that your pipes could be leaking is low water pressure.
Ideally, the plumber should regularly assess the condition of your pipes, especially if your house is relatively old because most old pipes have copper. Leaking pipes can’t and shouldn’t be ignored because they could affect other parts of your plumbing system and other parts of your house, such as furniture and wooden floors.
Moreover, leaks frequently occur in winter because of the rapid expansion and contraction. So, you need a plumber to prepare your pipes for winter if you already haven’t.
Clogged Toilet
A mixture of toilet paper and human waste usually causes this. You can tell that your toilet is clogged when water collects in the toilet bowl after flushing. Now, a quick fix would be to use a plunger. It works in most cases. But if that doesn’t work, try using a sewer snake. Or, if you’re unsure about how to fix this, you can always call your local plumber to check it out. When in doubt, call the plumber.
Running Toilet
A running toilet could cause massive water wastage. The biggest or most obvious cause is a faulty rubber flapper. The rubber flapper is supposed to seal the toilet tank completely. But with time, it could deform. Also, the chain connected to the flapper could get damaged and prevent it from working well.
Thankfully, rubber flappers are inexpensive. If you can DIY, go for it. If not, dial up a plumber urgently to replace the flappers quickly. You certainly don’t want your water bills to get out of hand!
Faulty Water Heater
While it’s allegedly healthy to take a cold shower now and then, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Hot water is necessary, especially in the winter months, and living without hot water can be an inconvenience. The average life of a water heater is around ten years, but it doesn’t always last that long. After that, problems may develop. Here are the two major causes:
- Corrosion— This is the biggest culprit. Replace corroded parts right away since there’s a risk of water contamination.
- Sediment Build-up— Sediment collects at the bottom of the tank when heating hard water. You may identify this problem when sediment has already accumulated to a dangerous level. But once it’s identified, call a plumber to clear the sediment to prevent further damage.
Conclusion
With plumbing, have a professional local plumber on the dial just in case of an emergency. While you’ll be able to DIY some plumbing such as clogs, the more complicated fixes would ideally need professional hands to attend to them. Plumbing maintenance comes along with being a house-owner. If you own a house long enough, you’ll encounter plumbing issues. So, it’s just good to stay ready.
