A home’s plumbing system is critical to the comfort and safety of its inhabitants. But like most essential things in life, good plumbing is only valued when it malfunctions.
Plumbing is all about managing water. But because water moves, it is not always easy to control. This is why water related issues top the list of things homeowners have to contend with.
They can result in widespread damage and are notoriously expensive to fix, warns Peak Residential.com. That’s why today we look at the most common plumbing emergencies homeowners face and how to deal with them.
The most common plumbing emergencies:
Clogged Drains and Toilets
Description and causes: If water backs up when you empty a sink, take a shower or flush the toilet, then you have a clogged drain. This problem is caused by something lodging inside the pipes, blocking them, and preventing water passage. Blockages are often caused by hair or small objects that slip into the drain. For the same reason, you should be careful about what you put in your garbage disposal.
Solutions and how to avoid it: Depending on what is blocking the drain, you can remove it with a plunger or call in your plumber. Use a hair catcher in the shower and avoid trying to flush small objects that fall into the drain. Find a way to remove them instead.
Dripping Faucets and Leaky Pipes
Description and causes: Dripping faucets never shut off completely, while leaks occur mostly at pipe joints. Together, they will dramatically increase the water bill. Drips are easy to spot since you can see and hear them. Leaks are often hidden and may cause major damage before they are detected. A dripping faucet is caused by damage to the washer that seals the faucet. Leaks occur when pipes wear out, shift or burst due to water pressure.
Solutions and how to avoid it: You can fix a dripping faucet by simply replacing the washer. Fixing leaky pipes, however, depends on the cause and extent of the problem. It is usually better to have a professional plumber deal with it. These two problems are almost unavoidable because they are the result of normal wear and tear. The best way to avoid them is through regular inspections and maintenance.
Low Water Pressure
Description and causes: This results in a general loss of water pressure that makes it hard to shower or rinse things. The source of the problem may be that the main water supply is broken. Or it can result from a pipe leak inside the house. It may also be caused by the build-up of sediments and minerals inside pipes, faucet aerators, and showerheads. In this case, the problem will occur gradually.
Solutions and how to avoid it: If the problem is caused by a build-up, the faucet tap or showerhead should be cleaned. Soaking them in vinegar for a few hours will solve the problem. If it is not a problem of sediment or mineral build-up, get a plumber to look at your pipes.
Water Heater Issues
Description and causes: If a shower dumps cold water on you when you are expecting warm water, you have a water heater malfunction. Other signs of the problem are drips, discolored water, puddles, and noise from the heater. The usual cause of the problem is a leak or insufficient water. A build-up of lime scale may also cause the heater to fail.
Solutions and how to avoid it: Check whether the pilot light is on and if the temperature setting is right. Drain the water heater tank to discard sediments. But if there is water pooling beneath the heater, shut off its power/gas supply, as well as, its water supply. After you do this, get a plumber to inspect the apparatus.
Running Toilet
Description and causes: You have a running toilet if the fill valve in the tank can never shut-off. The result is that the toilet keeps running, pushing up your water bill in the process. A running toilet still works, even though it wastes water. This problem is caused by an ill fitting flapper valve, imbalanced float, loose-fill tube, or a leak in the system.
Solutions and how to avoid it: Each component of the system needs to be inspected to detect the source of the problem. This emergency is easy to fix if it is caused by displaced components. But if the toilet components are damaged, you may need a plumber.
Frozen Pipes
Description and causes: If the water inside a pipe freezes, the home is deprived of water and the pipes will be more likely to burst. Frozen pipes are caused by exposing them to the cold during the winter.
Solutions and how to avoid it: This problem is best avoided by wrapping exposed pipes with heater tapes and disconnecting outdoor water hoses. If pipes freeze, contact an emergency plumber immediately.
Sewer System Issues
Description and causes: Sewer system issues are varied. The system may backup, be blocked, or burst. These are caused by clogging in the system, as well as, tree roots blocking pipes. It could also result when something other than human waste or toilet paper is flushed down the toilet.
Solutions and how to avoid it: in almost all cases, sewer issues are best solved by professional plumbers.