Common Plumbing Problems That Only A Professional Can Fix

Common Plumbing Problems That Only A Professional Can Fix

DIY skills are essential in the house. They help you fix minor issues, saving you time and money that could have been spent on a professional. However, it’s critical to know the limits of your skills. After all, there is only so much a YouTube tutorial can teach you about plumbing. At some point, you have to take a step back and call in the professionals to handle certain issues. Otherwise, you could end up creating a bigger and more expensive mess.

Below is a list of some of the common plumbing issues that require an expert’s eyes.

Clogged Drains

Clogged drains can be very irritating. Depending on the magnitude of the situation, it may also stop you from using your bathroom, kitchen, or wherever the clogged drain is.

While some people may be able to deal with the issue themselves, it’s better to leave it to a professional if you have zero plumbing knowledge. Sure, you can have a go with a plunger, but if it doesn’t work, get on the phone and call the professional plumber from thepipedr.com right away.

You should know that negligence can worsen clogged pipes. If the issue is not rectified immediately, pressure can build up inside the drains, forcing them to crack or burst. Now, if you think a clogged shower drain is terrible, wait until you see all the mess in your bathroom when the pipes burst.

Another problem with leaving clogged drains unattended is they can cause backflow. As can be seen at fluidservices.com.au, backflow can lead to serious health and safety risks. Human and animal waste can contaminate the main water supply putting your family and the entire neighborhood at risk.

Leaking Faucets

A man’s first instinct at the sight of a dripping faucet is tightening it up. That may stop the leak, but you need to ask yourself why it started leaking in the first place.

Dripping faucets are commonplace in households. They are usually caused by loose or broken pieces. Tightening the faucet can help you avoid the haunting sound of water drops, but it won’t fix the problem permanently.

An experienced plumber is in the best position to diagnose the situation and find the proper fix for the problem. Sometimes all a leaky faucet needs is a replacement of one or several of the tiny pieces. In other cases, you’ll need to invest in an entirely new set. Whatever the case, the professional will help you keep your sinks clean and minimize water wastage.

Leaking Pipes

Leaky pipes are a serious problem that must be addressed swiftly. A seemingly minor leak can have a devastating effect on the structure of your home. Moreover, it causes dampness which encourages mold growth and infestation of bugs. For these reasons, leaky pipes must be addressed as quickly as possible with the assistance of an experienced plumber.

Water Heater Leak

Faulty water heaters are typically hard to detect. In some cases, you will never know the heater is leaking until you notice something suspicious about the numbers in your water and electricity bills.

An experienced plumber should not have a problem detecting the primary source of a faulty water heater.

Clogged Toilet

Toilet clogging is usually caused by human waste and pieces of tissue paper. Damping certain materials in your toilet can also cause clogging.

A plunger may be enough to fix the issue if it’s minor. But if you don’t make any progress, call in the big guns and let them handle the problem on your behalf. 

Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure is an annoying plumbing issue. It can make taking showering and cleaning chores a nightmare.

So what exactly causes the problem, and how can it be fixed? Sometimes reduced water pressure is an independent problem. In other cases, it is a sign of another issue in the pipes, e.g., sediment buildup, leakage in the drains, or clogged pipes. The problem could also be with the water supply from the mains.

As for the fixing, try to clean the faucet aerator and see if that fixes the problem. If the issue were sediment buildup in the aerator, then this would fix the problem. If it doesn’t, call a plumber.

Slow Draining Sinks

This issue is usually caused by the blockage of drain pipes. 

Baking soda and vinegar are common quick fixes of slow draining sinks. Drain openers are also very effective.

Call a professional if none of these solutions work.

Running Toilet

A constantly running toilet can increase your water bills dramatically. It can waste more than 150 gallons of water in a single day!

This issue is typically caused by a faulty flapper valve. You may be able to fix the problem yourself if you can get the right equipment. However, contacting your family plumber is the smarter decision.

Some of these problems appear minor, but they can compromise the safety of your home. That’s why we urge you to fix these issues as soon as they appear.

Author

Eric is the creator of At Home in the Future and has been a passionate fan of the future since he was seven. He's a web developer by trade, and serves as the Director of Communication and Technology for a large church in Nashville, TN (where he and his family are building a high tech home in the woods).