Many homeowners find themselves dealing with a variety of plumbing issues over the years. It’s quite common to avoid dealing with your
plumbing until a problem occurs and then call out a
professional to fix the issue. In fact, many of these plumbing issues are actually preventable with a little knowledge and care. This will decrease the chances of these plumbing issues occurring and save money on plumbing repairs. Let’s take a look at 4 common plumbing problems and how they can be easily prevented with a little regular maintenance.
- A Dripping Faucet:
Let’s start with one of the simplest and most common plumbing issues many homeowners will face at some time. This is a minor issue, to begin with, but if it’s ignored, it can develop into a larger problem later. Even an apparently small leak can still waste a large quantity of water that you’ve already paid for. In many cases, this is a simple fix; the washer will need to be replaced to stop the leak and return your water bill to normal.
- A Drop in Water Pressure:
The water pressure in your home may drop unexpectedly, but before you call the plumber, check a few things first. Ask your neighbors, they may be experiencing the same plumbing issue, and it could be a problem with your municipal water supplier. If there is ongoing work in your street, a water line could have been broken, and there may even be localized flooding. If the problem is isolated to your home, there may be a clog in your pipes that is blocking the flow of water in your home and lowering the water pressure. Scheduling a regular health check and cleaning for your plumbing system will reduce the likelihood of larger clogs forming.
- The Toilet Runs Constantly:
Often, we flush the
toilet and then discover that the water continues to run after it usually stops. Jiggling the flush handle doesn’t seem to help much, and the handle may actually be loose. Lift the top of the flush tank and take a look, it may be the case that the handle is not attached to the lever that controls the float valve. This can usually be reattached easily, and the flow of water will be restored to normal. If you’re unsure or this doesn’t fix the issue, call a professional plumber for expert help.
- Clogged Drains:
If the water is draining away slower than usual or it’s not draining away at all the drain is blocked. This is usually caused by a clog that causes an obstruction and lowers the water pressure in the pipes. Sometimes, these clogs can be removed manually with a plunger and a little effort. Always resist the temptation to use store bought chemical cleaners to melt the clog away. These types of cleaners can damage the pipes and are not as effective at clog removal as you would imagine. In many cases, the clog is only slightly reduced in size, it then moves further into your pipes causing a larger problem later on. If you cannot remove the clog, call out a plumber, they have experience and specialist equipment to clear the clog safely.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.
