When you think about plumbing repair, it might not be at the top of your list. After all, we think about it more when there’s a problem than when everything is going smoothly. But plumbing is usually reliable and seldom needs repair. The majority of issues are due to user error. When you’re ready for a plumbing repair, it’s important to know what may be causing the issue. Once you know what could be wrong and have researched reputable repair contractors, you can fix the problem and get back on track with the rest of your day. Here are some common issues and what to do about them if they pop up in your own home:
Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing repair issues. There are many reasons why your drains may be slowing down or completely clogged. Some of the most common reasons are hair, grease, soap scum, and food waste. While these issues can be tricky to get rid of, it is important to keep an eye on your drains and know what to do in case they happen again. If you have a clogged or slow-draining pipe, it’s important to avoid plunging it just in case it breaks open and causes more damage. Instead, try to use a snake or a water pump to break through the clog. If that doesn’t work, call a plumber to remove the blockage.
If your toilet is running constantly, it’s usually either a broken flush-valve or a broken fill-valve. The flush-valve is attached to the toilet tank and controls how much water gets into the bowl. The fill-valve is also attached to the tank and controls how much water gets into the bowl. If either of these are broken, you won’t get the normal amount of water into the bowl and the toilet will run constantly. To fix this issue, you’ll need to shut off the main water supply to the house or apartment and then open the fill-valve and flush-valve manually. You can also remove the toilet tank and see if it’s leaking and causing the water to collect below the tank. If it is, you’ll need to replace the toilet tank, and if it’s leaking from the fill-valve, you’ll need to replace it with a new one.
Leaking faucets and shower heads are usually caused by a faulty washer or a damaged pipe. You can determine which one is broken by shutting off the water supply at the main valve and then removing the faucet or shower head. Once you’ve done that, you can take the faucet apart and see if there’s any obvious damage. If there isn’t, you can replace the washer and put everything back together. If you can’t find the washer, you can try to repair the pipe and put everything back together again.
If your sewer line is backed up, it’s usually a sign that there’s a blockage in your sewer line. To fix this issue, you’ll need to shut off the water supply at the main valve and then use a sewage pipe auger to clear the line. If you don’t have a sewage pipe auger, you can call a plumber to come out and clear the line for you.
If you’ve checked to make sure that the hot and cold water are both turned on and they are, but you’re not getting any hot water to your faucets, there are a few things to check. First, make sure the water is turned on in the part of the house where the faucets are located. If it is, make sure the faucets are not turned all the way off. Another thing to check is the water pressure. If you have an older house, you may not have adequate water pressure. If that’s the case, you may want to call a plumber to upgrade your water system.
If you’ve noticed that your drains are coming up out of the floor or coming out of the wall and they aren’t connected to a septic tank or a sink, you have a plumbing pipe that needs to be fixed. This type of repair may require replacing the pipe. If that’s not an option, you may be able to patch the pipe and put it back into the wall. If you have a sink in the same room, make sure you turn off the water supply to the sink and then try to fix the pipes.
The above are just some common plumbing repair issues and what to do about them if they happen. However, there are many other potential issues that you should be aware of. To avoid these issues and other potential problems, it’s important to have your plumbing checked out on a regular basis. This can help avoid costly repairs and save you time and money in the long run.