Let’s face it: there is nothing at all pleasant about sticking your hands in dirty water or unclogging a drain. Unfortunately, these things must be done if you want to avoid much larger problems down the road–problems that tend to cost a whole lot more and be much messier. Many times, however, prevent a minor inconvenience from becoming a disaster. Read on to learn more about some of the most common plumbing problems people frequently shrug off and what you can do to address them before they start stinking up your kitchen or bathroom.
1. Leaking Taps
Drip, drip. That subtle sound gets annoying after a while, but many people learn to let it fade into the background. This could be a huge mistake. That cost that adds up when you let that water disappear down the drain. In the case of leaky taps, you can usually trace the trouble to the washer, especially if the dripping persists when the tap is off. Other times, the problem may be the o-ring. You can assume this when water appears to spurting from where it shouldn’t be, usually from between the the spindle and the tap body. While it may be a hassle, it is better to fix the offending part now than to pay the steep price for wasted water or worse—have to pay for extensive repairs.
2. Dysfunctional Water Heaters
Nothing is more refreshing than a nice hot shower. What is not so pleasant is when the water suddenly turns ice cold. This is usually a sign that something is amiss with your water heater. Water heaters can give out for any number of reasons. If you have an electric storage water heater, you can expect it to lose heat over time simply due to regular use. You might consider taking shorter showers to conserve warm water. Other times, a part may well need to be replaced. The thermostat is usually a common culprit.
3. Weak Water Pressure
The only thing worse than a cold shower is a shower that trickles rather than freely flows. This happens when your water pressure has been compromised. Usually, this is due to buildup in the shower head. Fortunately, the fix is rarely costly. Simply remove the shower head and let it soak in a solution specially designed to get rid of layers of lime and calcium.
4. Clogged Toilets
Ah, the quintessential plumbing problem. While most people agree that toilets are a nuisance, few act immediately and instead hope the problem fixes itself. Too often, sadly, that does not happen, at least not until it is too late. First off, always keep a household plunger on hand. A good plunger often takes care of most minor clogs. Avoid flushing again if the first flush unsuccessful. This will only fill the toilet bowl more, risking the chance of unpleasant overflow. You need to stop more water from entering the bowl, and the only way to do this is to lift the lid and block the flapper.
5. Poorly Draining Sinks
We often take our sinks for granted—until we are left with a sink full of scum and water. In most cases, an obstruction is to blame for slow-draining sinks. Common culprits are hair and oil. Before the problem escalates, identify the blockage and what is causing it. You can then use a plunger to clear it away. If it is oil causing the problem, you might need to invest in a removal solution to clear it. Fortunately, these tend to be much more cost-effective than waiting until the obstruction is too large to clear at all.
For more help with pesky plumbing problems, contact RD Plumbing Solutions for a free assessment today!
