9 of the Most Common Plumbing Problems

Rohan Mathew

Updated on:

Do you think your home is suffering from common plumbing problems?

Plumbing issues have continued to stand out as a liability when left unchecked. In fact, the average household leak wastes about 180 gallons per week. Put together, amounts to 9400 gallons per year.

This will only hurt your finances with huge bills. It could also escalate to other forms of damages within the household if left unattended.

The problem with plumbing issues is that they can be hard to detect, going unnoticed for a long time. Calling for your local Joondalup plumber would be the most optimal option. What’s great is that you can also address these plumbing issues before they escalate.

Today, we will look at these plumbing problems and find ways to address and fix them. Make sure to read on and take notes.

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  1. Dripping Faucets

Among these common plumbing problems, this is one that you would encounter a lot. Hearing that drumming of droplets in the middle of the night can be jarring. However, a droplet per second can translate to 2600 gallons of water per year. That is a lot of water wasted from a dripping faucet.

This kind of problem could boil down to an issue inside the faucet. There might be something damaged, dislodged, or worn inside that would cause the water to leak a bit.

This could be the o-ring or rubber washer that got worn down. If this is the case, replacement is always the best option.

There is also the valve seat, which rests between the faucet and the spout. This may require some skill in addressing the matter. This is because there are many small parts inside a valve seat, making it a meticulous task to fix it.

  1. Leaking Pipes

When you look at the numerous plumbing issues, it all boils down to leaking pipes. This is a recurring problem in older homes due to the material used on those pipes, which happens to be copper. As of late, most of the buildings use PEX pipes.

Copper tends to be stronger and durable, but it does not work well with extreme temperatures. When subjected to heat or cold, the pipes tend to either expand or contract. Copper is also prone to corrosion, thus maintaining them can be costly.

One of the things to pay attention to is water backflow. Consider hiring backflow prevention services to address these issues.

  1. Clogged Toilets

This occurs when the water on the toilet fills up, but it does not drain away. It often happens because of something blocking the water passageway. This could be a mix of paper and human waste causing the clog.

You can solve this problem by using a plunger to get rid of the blockage or toilet auger. This can help suction the clog out, easing up the waterway. This way, you can flush it with ease.

For prevention, make sure not to throw in and flush anything unnecessary down the toilet. Simple things like toilet paper can cause a clog faster than you think.

  1. Running Toilets

Running toilets can also be a source of water loss if left unchecked, which can be as devastating as a dripping faucet. The usual culprit tends to be a faulty flapper valve since it regulates and controls the water flow from the tank to the bowl.

Addressing this is rather straightforward as you need a toilet repair kit to fix this problem. You can find the kit in any hardware store.

  1. Low Water Pressure

You would usually encounter this plumbing issue on the sink when you open the faucet and notice the water flow coming off weak. In this case, you have to check a few things.

First, check if the water pressure affects both hot and cold water. If it affects both, you have to check the aerator for calcium buildup.

The calcium deposits affect the water pressure coming from the aerator. The good thing is that you can fix a blocked aerator with some cleaning. Clearing out the obstructions need some elbow grease, but it should resolve the problem.

  1. Slow Sink Draining

In this plumbing issue, something often prevents the water from getting drained. Sinks with the pop-up section for the drain tend to collect various debris, such as hair. The approach to addressing this problem is in cleaning out the debris.

You can use a plumbing tool called a Zip-It to clear out the hair and other debris. In case you don’t have one, try removing the pop-up and proceed with cleaning out the collected debris.

If ever you use chemicals to clear out the drain, practice caution, and follow the instructions.

  1. Clogged Drain (Shower or Bath)

The sink is not the only victim of clogging or slow draining. Showers and bathtubs are also prone to this situation.

The leading cause tends to be hair and various debris accumulating on the drain. In clearing out the blockage, you will need something to pull out the materials clogging the pipes.

To fix this, consider using a plunger or a plumbing snake to help with clearing out the clog. The other option is in using chemicals designed to clear the drain of debris. Make sure to handle these materials with caution and extra care.

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  1. Faulty Water Heater

The only time you would discover this is when you use the shower. You get splashed with cold water even after setting the shower knob to hot.

This tends to be a rather complicated situation that may work best in the hands of a professional. For such a situation, contact a plumber to help you out with their services.

  1. Worn Hose Bibb

Hose bibbs don’t have the resilience to last many seasons. Drastic temperature and weather changes can cause the bibb to crack, losing its integrity over time due to the ever-shifting climate and temperature.

While regular replacements would be one approach to this, consider going for heavy-duty hose bibbs with frost-proofing.

Fix Common Plumbing Problems Today

You can address these common plumbing problems with appropriate materials and tools. If you find yourself in certain plumbing issues that you cannot do on your own, consider calling a plumber at that point.

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