When you own a home, it sometimes seems like the need for maintenance is never ending. If you want to prevent major problems down the road, it makes sense to stay on top of the various components that make up a modern home. Plumbing is one of those areas that many people avoid until something goes wrong, and then they call their local certified plumber for expert help. But, there are many plumbing problems that can be avoided with a little regular maintenance. Let’s take a closer look at seven common plumbing issues and how you can avoid them.
- Clogged Drain Systems
A clogged drain is one of the most common reasons why a professional plumber is called to a home, and in many cases, it can be easily avoided. We need our drains to carry away dirty water, they are designed for the easy passage of fluid, and solid material can lodge in the drain and cause a clog. In the kitchen, the sinks can be clogged by food debris or grease, oil, and fat being poured into the drain. In the bathroom, sink, shower and tub drains can be blocked by soap scum, hair, and other materials. The best way to avoid a clogged drain is to restrict them to wastewater only. Installing a drain cover trap to keep foreign material out of the drain is a great idea, and this will help to catch any inappropriate material before it can enter the drain.
- An Overflowing Toilet
If you’ve ever flushed a toilet and then seen the bowl continue to fill until the water spills over onto the floor, you will already know how anxious this can be. In many cases, an overflowing toilet is caused by an obstruction that has lodged in the drain. This could be a product that isn’t designed to be flushed, such as thick kitchen paper, feminine hygiene products, “flushable” wipes, and even children’s toys. In most cases, these obstructions will need to be removed by a certified plumber, and this can be expensive. It’s a better idea to prevent this from occurring in the first place by removing any materials that could fall into the toilet and educating others in the home on how they should dispose of certain items. There are only two materials that should ever be flushed down a toilet, human waste, and toilet paper. Any other items should go in the trash where they belong.
- A Running Toilet
This problem is the exact opposite of the overflowing toilet mentioned above. The toilet continues to flush or run all the time regardless of the flusher being used. This can happen if there is a leak related to the fill valve and the water level in the toilet tank. It’s a great idea to periodically take the top off the toilet water tank and take a look at the components inside. The flapper mechanism should be secure, and the float should be moving easily. If any part is damaged, they can be easily sourced and replaced with a new part from your local hardware store. If you cannot get your toilet to stop running, consult a local certified plumber for expert help.
- Leaking Faucets
There are few things more annoying at 3 am than a leaking and dripping faucet in your home. Aside from the nuisance factor, a dripping faucet is a real waste of water, and that makes it a waste of money too. When you add up all those tiny drips, they can really add up to a significant volume of water and an unnecessary spike in your water bills. At the start of each season, you can perform an inspection on the washers in each faucet in your home. The washers should be in good shape and correctly tightened to prevent leaks and drips.
- Lower Water Pressure Problems
Low water pressure is a real nuisance for a homeowner, but it may seem like a strange addition to this list, and many people may believe that this is unavoidable. Low water pressure can occur due to the municipality where you live, or it could be a plumbing problem in your own home. The presence of low water pressure from your municipality can be confirmed by speaking to your neighbors, and there are ways that a certified plumber can help. If the problem is in your home, you can improve the water pressure by carrying out essential regular maintenance on your plumbing fixtures. When the plumbing pipes are clear, the water pressure will be significantly improved, and you may be surprised by the difference.
- Leaking Water Pipes
Even a slow leaking plumbing pipe can allow a significant volume of water into your home over an extended period of time. This can lead to a number of problems, such as mold growth and water damage that can be extremely expensive to repair. Prevention is better than the cure, so it makes good sense to schedule a regular annual checkup for your plumbing system. A local certified plumber will be able to identify many minor plumbing issues and fix them before they develop into larger problems that are expensive to fix. Preventative maintenance is the best way to avoid disruption to your home and save money at the same time.
- Cramped Plumbing Spàces
If you have too many plumbing pipes and fixtures crammed into a small space, it can cause a number of problems. It will be very difficult for a
professional plumber to maintain and repair your plumbing system, especially in an emergency. The lack of room will make the use of certain tools virtually impossible, and identifying the root cause of a plumbing problem will be more difficult. When you purchase a new home, or plan an upgrade to your plumbing system, make sure that you leave space for vital work. If you have an existing cramped plumbing space, ask a local certified plumber for expert help and advice on how to make the space work better.
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.
