6 Plumbing Problems You Shouldn’t Ignore
Posted on April 15th, 2020 by carrolladmin
It’s often easy to overlook simple plumbing issues, like leaking faucets or running toilets. After all, they’re only minor, so most homeowners see them as simple annoyances at most.
In some cases, it may even be tempting to put off more serious plumbing problems simply because of the cost involved in fixing them. In either case, whether it’s a minor or major plumbing concern, it’s best not to ignore it. Doing so can lead to higher utility costs, and it may even result in more serious problems down the road.
The following are six plumbing problems that should not be ignored.
1. Leaky Faucets
The first is the common leaky faucet. If the tap is dripping, it may be slightly irritating, and it does waste water, but a minor leak doesn’t seem like it will increase your water bill much.
The truth is it can result in gallons of water wasted every day. The exact amount depends on how fast the leak is going, but to put it in perspective, a leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year.
Fixing a leaky faucet
Fortunately, a leaky faucet is an easy—and therefore inexpensive—fix for a plumber to handle. It usually takes minimal time with just a little tightening here and there, and it will save you from both higher water bills and the persistent drip coming from the tap.
2. Running Toilet
A constantly running toilet can not only be a bit annoying for yourself and anyone you have over, but it can result in hundreds of gallons of water wasted every month. As such, it’s not something you should put off fixing, even if it only seems like a small problem on the surface.
Fixing a running toilet
There’s no reason to delay fixing your running toilet either since it’s a pretty easy fix. Often, it takes only resetting the toilet flush lever, but if it keeps happening, it can mean there’s a leak or faulty part somewhere, such as the flapper or fill valve.
Neither of these parts is expensive, and replacing them is simple enough that some homeowners opt to do so themselves. However, a professional can fix it very quickly, and if it turns out that there’s something else going on that’s causing your toilet to run, they’ll be able to detect it and get it repaired.
3. Low Water Pressure
Nobody likes low water pressure, especially in high-traffic areas of your home, but It’s usually viewed as nothing more than an inconvenience. In some cases, it may be just that, such as if there’s a temporary lull in your city’s water supply.
Prolonged low water pressure may indicate problems with the plumbing in your home. If it’s coming from a single faucet, then it may be an issue with the faucet itself, an easy enough job to tackle. On the other hand, if you have multiple faucets that aren’t giving you the pressure they should, then there may be a major leak in one of your pipes, which not only can waste water, but also cause significant water damage.
Fixing low water pressure
If you have a single faucet with low pressure, then the faucet will likely need to be replaced.
In the case of a leaking pipe, a professional plumber can quickly figure out where the problem is originating based on which faucets are giving low pressure. From there, they’ll be able to fix up your pipes and resolve the issue.
4. Slow or Clogged Drains
A slow drain results from a buildup in the line underneath, and if left unattended, it will cause complete blockage, essentially rendering your sink, tub, or shower useless until it’s fixed. There may also be health issues involved as matter gets trapped in your pipework.
Fixing a clogged drain
Liquid drain cleaner can clear out most drains, as can some effort with a plunger or drain snake.
In situations where those don’t work, you’ll need a professional to clear out the drain for you. Sometimes, the clog can signify that there’s some kind of damage to your plumbing, and it will be important to resolve it quickly to prevent anything nasty from leaking into your home’s structure.
5. Broken Shutoff Valves
Often, broken shutoff valves go unnoticed until you need to shut off the water to fix another issue. As such, it’s not always easy to resolve this plumbing problem early, which can lead to abnormally high water bills until you get things figured out.
A broken shutoff valve inside your home can result in consistent leaks that waste gallons of water every month, so it’s worth fixing as soon as you find it.
Fixing broken shutoff valves
Whether replacing a shutoff valve is easy or not depends on the type, but you may want a professional to handle it. In addition, if it’s the main valve to your home, you may need to contact the city to shut off the water from the curb while it’s being fixed.
6. Burst Pipes
Burst pipes may manifest in several ways, from low water pressure to visible water stains in the walls, ceiling, or floor of your home. They represent a serious plumbing problem since the constant leaking can cause mold growth and major damage to your home’s structural integrity.
Fixing burst pipes
The cost of fixing a burst pipe depends on the materials used for the piping itself, but it typically requires a professional regardless. A plumber can find the leak, fix the pipe, and clean up any resulting water damage.
Fixing Common Plumbing Problems
It’s always in your best interest to take care of these plumbing problems as early as you can. In many cases, a professional will be needed, so don’t delay calling a plumber if you notice any of these issues in your home.
