Is Your Home Experiencing Common Plumbing Problems?
This summer you may begin to notice some basic issues with your plumbing that you should fix right away. Some extremely common plumbing problems you may experience are things such as dripping faucets, leaking pipes, low water pressure, or drain clogs.
Problems where water is leaking or running constantly should be taken care of right away. If these are left alone they will use large amounts of water and increase your water bill significantly. If you ever notice a faucet dripping despite being turned off or your toilet never stops running, you should immediately begin the process of getting these fixed. A running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day and a dripping faucet can waste about 3000 gallons of water a year. That’s a lot of wasted water! You will be glad you took care of these right away instead of receiving an enormous water bill. Schedule a plumbing repair now to save yourself from unexpected costs.
If you begin to notice you are experiencing low water pressure and you are unsure why, it is most likely one of two problems. First, you may have a hidden leak somewhere in your pipes. Look for wet spots on your floor or ceiling to try and find where the leak may be. If you find there may be a leak, call a professional right away as these leaky pipes can become very costly if left alone. If you cannot find any leaks and still have low water pressure in places such as your shower, the solution may be as simple as replacing your shower head with a new one.
Nothing is worse than hopping in the shower and discovering nothing but ice cold water pouring out. The average water heater lasts between eight and twelve years, depending on the maintenance it receives. Water heaters should receive maintenance about once a year to ensure they last as long as possible. If there is no hot water you should call a professional to have them inspect your water heater for any problems.
If you plan on trying to repair any plumbing on your own, you should be prepared. The first thing you must do is turn off the water main or else your repairs will get messy fast. You should also dress prepared to get wet. Problems can spring up out of nowhere and you don’t want your nice clothes getting soaked. If you need any components replaced, take them with you to the hardware store to ensure you are getting the right parts. Lastly, keep the number of a professional handy. If you create a geyser in your home, you will be glad you can call for help right away.
Some issues are too dangerous to tackle yourself and you should always call a professional when dealing with them. These are issues such as water heater problems, installing new pipes, or any construction that requires a permit.
What to do if You Have a Clogged Garbage Disposal?
A common plumbing problem is when garbage disposals become clogged, and it can be due to a number of different reasons, all of which can be avoided with the proper knowledge of how they are caused.
One of the most common, yet most easily avoidable issues with a garbage disposal is not running enough water through the sink drain. Running too little water though the disposal means everything inside is less likely to be flushed out into the drain. This is what causes build-up and eventually leads to slow draining or a clogged garbage disposal.
Some items you might not realize can quickly clog your drain are eggshells and coffee grounds. When ground up by a garbage disposal, they create tiny granular waste which will stick to any sludge in your pipes, quickly creating a blockage. Potato peels create a starchy paste similar to mashed potatoes when ground up and clog your sink drain very fast.
The simplest solution to preventing garbage disposal clogs is to run plenty of water while the disposal is on and for an additional 30 seconds after grinding has stopped. To help maintain your disposal, occasionally grind lemon peels or ice cubes to keep your system running smoothly.
If you plan on fixing your garbage disposal yourself, there are certain things you must avoid doing to ensure you do not damage the system further. Always turn off the electrical power before attempting to remove something from the drain. It is also very important to never use chemical drain cleaner on your garbage disposal. The chemicals used in these cleaners can eat away at the rubber and plastic pieces in your garbage disposal.
If your drain is clogged, schedule a plumbing repair and have a professional quickly fix the problem.
