If you own a home, it’s likely that you’ll experience plumbing issues at some point. Even if you have all your appliances and fixtures installed properly, there are still plenty of things that can go wrong with your plumbing system. There are many common plumbing repair problems you might experience and solutions for them can vary from simple to complex depending on your local plumbing code and the type of issue. Here are some of the most common plumbing issues that you might see arise in your home and how you can address them appropriately when they happen:

Clogged drains and sewer line blockages

The most common plumbing repair issue is clogged drains and sewer line blockages. While these issues can happen at any time, they are more likely to happen during particularly heavy rain periods. If your drains become completely clogged, there is no simple way to unclog them. In these cases, you may need to call a plumber to come out to your home and use a special device to break up the clog. If the sewer line that leads from your home to the main sewer line becomes completely clogged, there is no simple way to unclog it. In these cases, you will need to call a plumber and have them come out to your home and clear the clog manually.

Running Toilets

If your toilet runs constantly, it could be for one of two reasons. First, the float switch may need to be replaced. This is a small device that sits in the tank of the toilet and is connected to a lever or switch that is activated when the water in the toilet bowl rises to a certain point. The float switch is supposed to shut the flapper valve when the water reaches a certain level, but if it is broken or missing, it won’t do its job. The second reason a toilet may run is because a float ball or float valve in the tank has broken or become unplugged and needs to be replaced. This is a more serious issue, but can often be resolved by replacing the float ball or float valve.

Kitchen and/or bathroom faucet leaks

Faucet leaks are a common plumbing problem that can be particularly frustrating. Fortunately, there are many ways in which you can repair a faucet leak without the need to replace the entire faucet. The first and most important step in repairing a faucet leak is to locate the source. This can be accomplished by shutting off the main shutoff valve for the home and spraying a hose around the faucet stem or shutoff valve and seeing where the water is coming from. Once you have identified the source of the leak, you will need to determine what is causing it. This can be accomplished by removing the faucet’s stem and inspecting the threads. If they look clean and dry, the problem may be related to water pressure. If there is moisture or corrosion around the threads or stems, the problem may be a faulty washer or faucet cartridge.

Leaky faucets

Leaky faucets can be a very frustrating problem to deal with. Fortunately, there are several ways in which you can repair a leaking faucet without having to replace it. The first step in repairing a leaking faucet is to shut off the main water supply to the faucet and look for leaks. You can do this by shutting off the main water supply to the house and opening the faucet in question. If there is a drip coming from the faucet, you know that this is where the leak is coming from. Once you have identified the source of the leak, you can repair it through a few different methods. The first method is to replace the faucet’s washer or faucet cartridge. The second method is to glue the faucet’s O-ring or rubber seal. The third method is to replace the faucet’s entire stem assembly.

Toilet float issues

Another common plumbing repair issue is a faulty toilet float. The float works by regulating the water level in the toilet tank. When the water level in the toilet tank lowers to a certain point, the float will activate the float switch, causing the flush mechanism on the toilet to flush. If the float is broken or missing, it will not activate the flush mechanism, meaning that the toilet will not flush when it is supposed to.

Basement plumbing problems

Basement plumbing issues are common and can be particularly irritating. The issue in question is usually a backed-up sewer, but it could also be a broken toilet or sink. The first step in dealing with a backed-up sewer is to determine if the sewer pipe is actually backed up by visually inspecting the pipe. If the pipe is not flooded, there may be a blockage in the pipe. The blockage could be anything from a tree root growing in the pipe to an animal living in the pipe. If the pipe is flooded, you will need to call a plumber to come out and clear the blockage in the pipe. If the toilet or sink in question has a float valve, the float valve may have become stuck in the up position.

Conclusion

These are some of the most common plumbing repair problems you might experience and solutions for them can vary from simple to complex depending on your local plumbing code and the type of issue. These issues can be annoying and inconvenient, but with the right know-how and tools, you can easily fix them.

Frequently Asked Question

  • Keeping the Water On During an Emergency
  • Overusing Drain Cleaners
  • Fixing Plumbing Issues on Your Own
  • Ignoring a Plumbing Issue
  • Using a Handyman Instead of a Licensed Plumber
  • Turning Off Your Heater in the Winter
  • Not Scheduling Plumbing Service
The most common plumbing problems are clogged drains and toilets, leaky faucets and pipes, water heater issues, low water pressure, and a running toilet.
It can be caused by a hair clog or food and can be easy to fix. However, when multiple drains are slow, that can be a sign of a deeper plumbing problem. Slow drains are one of the first signs of a problem somewhere in your system, and left alone could lead to bigger issues
  • Delaying Plumbing Repairs. Maybe you have a leak in your bathroom sink
  • Throwing Food Waste in the Drain
  • Washing Hair Down the Drain
  • Allowing Dirt to Clog Your Pipes
  • Using Soap Bars With Fat
  • Tossing Objects in the Toilet