Almost every homeowner or renter has a few essential tools on hand to cope with common plumbing problems. Many times, a clogged toilet or slow drain may only need a little elbow grease and a plunger to work as intended. If you’re handy around the house, you can generally tackle a small repair such as changing out a worn washer or replacing a drain cover.
Some of the more common plumbing problems are:
Dripping faucets
If you’ve ever tried to fall asleep with a faucet dripping in the next room, or wrestled with a kitchen sink that didn’t know when to stop, you are aware of how annoying this common problem can be. A dripping faucet also drives up the water bill. A single faucet drip can send hundreds of gallons of water down your drains per year; one drop at a time.
Low water pressure
When water that should have a full stream only trickles from the tap, you have low water pressure. This problem might not be related to the pipes in your house but to the municipal water supply. It’s rare, but a break in a main line can temporarily reduce your water pressure. A more common cause of this problem is a build-up of deposits or sediment on faucet aerators.
Running toilet
If you’re tired of jiggling the handle to make your toilet behave after flushing, it might be time to replace its inner workings. Toilets typically run when the flapper valve that lets water pass from the tank to the bowl no longer fits properly, the float is imbalanced, or the fill tube comes loose. Toilet repair kits work for most models and require little effort to install.
Leaky pipes
Whether your regular inspection reveals a puddle under a pipe or you get an unpleasant surprise when you reach under your sink, leaks can be a costly nuisance. Leaks usually happen at joints, which is why commercial joint fillers and fitting compounds occupy plenty of shelf space in your local hardware store. These products are a temporary fix, though; a permanent plumbing repair may mean replacing a length of pipe or its fittings.
However, even some common plumbing problems can be more than you bargained for. If that’s the case, call a professional. Some of the issues that demand the services of a professional include:
Broken water pipes
Broken water pipes are not a DIY project. In many cases, they require a lot of work that could include digging under the floor or into the walls to find the actual leak and reach the pipes. The first step is to turn off the water at the main water supply to prevent flooding or some further, more severe damage to your home, and then call in a licensed professional.
Hot water heater leaks
Dealing with cold water coming from your hot water tank doesn’t sound like fun, especially during the winter months. Since repairing a hot water tank includes electricity, it’s imperative you call someone right away.
Gas leaks
Shutting the main gas valve is something that has to be done as soon as you notice a gas leak. Evacuating the household is the next safety step everybody should follow until a leak is properly repaired. The professionally trained plumber will handle this leak successfully with avoiding any accident or future leak.
If ever in doubt, it’s safer and smarter to call a licensed professional plumber to come survey your particular situation.