Certain plumbing problems are quite common, especially in older dwellings. Having a basic understanding of these frequent offenders can help you quickly assess the problem and how to fix it.
Clogged toilet. When you flush a toilet, you expect the waste to just quickly circle the drain and disappear into the abyss. This doesn't happen with a clogged toilet, and the results can be … unpleasant. Especially if it floods. To prevent a clogged toilet from flooding, use the valve located under the toilet to turn off the water supply. Many factors can lead to a toilet becoming clogged, from a blocked trap to hard water deposits in your pipes.
Clogged drain. A clogged drain can strike in different parts of your home. Sometimes the blockage is complete, leaving a pool of standing water unable to drain. Partial clogs will slow the passage of water through the drain. If you get a clogged drain in your kitchen, it's probably caused by grease and food particles that are left in the drain after washing dishes. If the drain in your shower or bathroom sink is clogged, hair is probably the culprit. A clogged drain can be cleared by using tools such as a plunger, a plumber's snake, or a drain opener.
Leaky faucet. Dripping faucets can be irritating - and can also inflate your water bill, since they waste water. If you're a committed do-it-yourselfer, you can fix a leaky faucet yourself, using tools such as an adjustable wrench and a Phillips screwdriver. Though the process of fixing a leaky faucet yourself can be fairly straightforward, the simplest solution is to hire a qualified plumber. Time is money, and a plumber will be able to get the job done more quickly and efficiently than the average layperson.
Running toilet. If you hear the sound of water running in your home, you might have a running toilet. Like a leaky faucet, a running toilet wastes water, which adds up on the water bill. A running toilet can also cause a septic tank to flood. Defective flappers are usually the culprit; you can purchase a flapper at a hardware store and handle the replacement yourself. But sometimes a running toilet is triggered by other factors. If you're not sure what is causing the problem, the easiest approach is to hire a plumber.
Low water pressure. Low water pressure can slow down even the most basic water-related tasks and chores. It's no fun trying to take a shower under a puny stream of water, and it will take twice as long as if you had healthy water flow. Sometimes low water pressure only afflicts one faucet, but sometimes all faucets in the household are affected. The causes of this problem vary, and while some issues can be fixed fairly easily, others can be complicated to remedy. If you suspect that your low water pressure is caused by an issue such as pipe corrosion or a plumbing leak, it's best to seek the services of a plumber.
Sump pump failure. Your sump pump is that unsung hero that lives in the depths of your basement, working hard to prevent flooding in your home if there is excessive rain, or if your basement is located beneath the water table. A sump pump is connected to a hole in the ground that's known as the sump basin, and it removes water that has accumulated in this basin and sends it to a dry well or storm drain. Sump pumps are powered by electricity, and if there is a power outage, they will fail. A jammed switch and old age are other potential causes of sump pump failure. There are things you can do to prevent your sump pump from failing, and steps you can take to get it back on its feet if service is interrupted.
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