When was the last time you thought about plumbing? Probably when you were dealing with leaky faucets or standing in a puddle of water near your sink! However, it is much wiser to be aware of the common plumbing issues, regardless of whether you experienced them.

Why? Well, underestimating the significance of plumbing can lead to expensive lessons – ones we all are better off without.

Consider this. According to EPA, small plumbing leaks that go unnoticed by many leads to water wastage of a whopping 10,000 gallons annually! This is enough to get you through 270 loads of laundry, and fixing this issue can reduce your water bills by 10 percent.

To make sure that you aren’t caught off-guard, we have compiled a list of the most common plumbing problems that, as a homeowner, you should be well aware of. Let’s begin!

1. Low Water Pressure

You might be thinking – is low water pressure even big enough of an issue to be worth fretting over? It turns out that it can be! While it is often ignored as a mere annoying inconvenience, persistent low water pressure can be an indicator of issues with plumbing.

For starters, in case a single faucet in your house has poor water pressure, then the chances are that the faucet itself requires repair, or its water line may be clogged. You might be able to DIY this, too.

But, if all faucets in your house have the same issue, then it means the problem is bigger. Often, this signifies a major pope leak that is causing water wastage.

Here, a local expert will be required. For starters, if you live in Saskatoon, Canada, any quality service providing plumbing in Saskatoon will come in handy. So, don’t ignore a low water pressure. See if it requires professional help by identifying the number of faucets affected.

2. Leaky Faucets

Now, let’s tackle the most common plumbing issue. We are sure that you won’t ignore leaky faucets when they become a major nuisance. However, usually, the leak begins very slowly. And if you don’t catch the issue early on, you will then see the formation of puddles below your pipes.

Why do faucets leak? Well, every faucet comes with a seal that gets damaged with time due to dislocation or tearing. When the seal breaks, water then starts to drip – first slowly and then more prominently.

To fix this problem, all you need to do is replace the washer containing the leak. However, if the issue has prolonged, then chances are that you may require a U-joint replacement. This can get messy if you try to do it yourself.

To avoid this issue from originating in the first place, try to avoid putting intense pressure on the handles. Instead, be gentle when turning the faucets on and off. And do perform the needful repair regardless of how small the leak may seem. Remember, water is scarce, and you should be saving it!

3. Clogged Drains

You wait, wait and wait. Yet, the water refuses to drain.

This can get quite frustrating, especially when you are getting ready in the morning! And when the issue persists and gets worse with every passing day, then your tub or sink gets pretty much useless! Not to mention the health risks involved owing to clogged drains and standing water.

Yet, this plumbing problem is quite common. There are two ways you can go about solving the issue. Firstly, you can use a drain cleaner to unclog it, and further use a plunger to do it properly. In case this doesn’t work, it is time to call a plumber to deep clean the drain.

Clogged drains become a much bigger problem when the issue resides behind drywalls. This requires digging and hence an expert. But, dealing with the problem quickly ensures that a major blockage doesn’t build up behind the walls. However, you should still be aware of this possibility.

4. Water Heater Malfunctions

When it comes to problems with the water heater, you can never be sure what services you will end up requiring. For example, sometimes, the issues can be solved by a plumber, while other times, an electrician or a natural-gas professional may be your savior.

The anticipated malfunctions in a water heater include:

• Flooding owing to damage of valves.
• Poor water circulation due to rust.
• Foul-smelling water, owing to the prevalence of bacteria in the tank.
• Providing too cold or too hot water.

For issues regarding water temperature, only the heating element of the heater has to be replaced. But, in the case of the other three issues, you might need to seek out a mixture of all three types of professionals mentioned above. In case your water heater continues to leak, know that there is no fixing it. It is no longer a plumbing issue but a lost cause.

5. Burst Pipes

Finally, the most severe plumbing issue on this list – burst pipe. If you don’t work on resolving this problem as soon as you detect it, it can cause significant damage to the structural integrity of your abode. It also encourages mold growth, which in turn causes various diseases.

How can you identify burst pipes when they are well hidden in the walls of your home? Simple! It can manifest as low pressure of water as well as water stains on the ceiling or wall. Quickly call a plumber to investigate it when you suspect such an issue.

A plumber will help detect the leak and fix or replace the pipe. Work must also be done to clean up the water damage caused by the leakage. Keep your eye out for signs of damage due to burst pipes. Never take it lightly.

Be Aware!

Sooner or later, plumbing issues are bound to happen. It’s something that all homeowners have to deal with. Just how expensive and severe the challenge becomes depends on the speed with which you act on it.

So, be alert about common plumbing issues and solve them before they get out of hand.

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us

Save