Plumbing - Five Common Problems In Homes

Homeowners who experience plumbing problems usually experience one of these five issues: blocked drains, blocked toilets, garbage disposal problems, leaky faucets, and leaky pipes. Learning to spot and troubleshoot these problems is essential for homeowners.

Your home’s plumbing system will eventually cause problems for you. These five problems are common among systems in homes. Learning to spot them early can help you call in a professional or take on the repair yourself before the problem gets worse or causes damage to your home.

Blocked Drain
A blocked drain, usually in a sink, occurs when buildup of food, grease, hair, or other grime stops the flow of water. This is one plumbing problem you can likely fix on your own. A sink plunger often dislodges the clog. If this does not work, you can use a commercial drain cleaner, or you can manually remove the drain trap and clean out the pipes.

Blocked Toilet
A blocked toilet can send nasty sewage into your home as the toilet overflows. Since this problem usually shows up when the toilet is flushed, it’s almost always a nasty one. The best way to deal with it is to turn off the water supply to the toilet as soon as you notice the problem. The toilet should have a shutoff valve near the back towards the floor. Then, use a plunger or metal snake to dislodge the blockage. If you regularly have this plumbing issue, call a plumber to figure out why your toilet is not flushing as it should.

Problems With the Garbage Disposal
If your garbage disposal does not work, you likely have food stuck in it. The unit probably came with a key wrench. Use this to loosen the blockage. Simply place it on the correct point at the bottom of the disposal, and then turn the key counterclockwise until it can move again. Before using the disposal, run it while cold water runs down the drain. This will chop up any remaining food particles.

Leaky Faucet
Often faucets start to leak because the washer inside the unit needs to be replaced. To do this, turn off the water, and then remove the cover of the faucet. Remove the handle, and you will see the washer inside. Replace it, put the unit together again, and check for leaks. If your faucet still leaks, tighten the handle.

Leaking Pipe
A leaking pipe is the most common type of plumbing problem that you may need professional help to repair. The first step is locating the actual leak. If you can find and fix the leak on your own without extensive repair to the pipe or the need to solder, feel free to try. However, if the leak is difficult to find, requires soldering, or looks complex to fix, you may be better off calling a plumber.

So the next time you notice a plumbing problem in your home, decide if you have one of these five problems. If so, consider whether you feel comfortable fixing it on your own, or whether your family would be better served by hiring a professional plumber to do the job.

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