A plumbing system should serve its users with minimal issues and problems. However, every homeowner will experience plumbing problems in their lives. Here are five common problems that homeowners and lessees can encounter.
1. Leaks
Leaks are one of the most common issues that affect households. Leaks can cause serious water damage to the house if you do not handle them immediately. Also, these leaks can gradually increase your water bill and lead to water wastage, a serious concern for water costs and ecological conservation.
Fixture damage, improper installation, and pipe damage will cause leaks in your plumbing system. If you are lucky, the leak will be the result of a damaged fixture or a single pipe that a plumber can easily replace. If the damage is more extensive, brace yourself for some costly repairs, as the plumber might need to reinstall the entire system in your house.
2. Clogs
Clogs can occur for two reasons: negligence by the homeowner or lessee and unexpected materials that accumulate from inside the pipe framework. Negligence includes the flushing of materials that cannot degrade easily, like dental floss. Also, food particles, hair, and other matter can accumulate and eventually clog a system.
Unexpected clogs occur from the deposit of materials that the house members do not have any control over. For example, calcium deposits can restrict water flow inside the plumbing system. These minerals can clog the water system and lower water pressure from the main lines.
If the clogs are mild, a plumber can flush the system or clean it to remove the accumulated debris in the pipes. If it is severe, you might expect a reinstallation or more extensive repairs to completely remove the clogs. However, the best way to prevent clogs is to not deposit non-degradable materials and solve hard water issues.
3. Water Line Breaks
A water line break will be more difficult to handle because of the extensive work needed to fix them. Also, a water line break will inconvenience the whole household since it is the primary water supply for your home. Call a plumber immediately if you notice a water line break. The earlier they can repair the damage, the less costly it will be for you.
4. Water Heater Issues
Since water heaters use several systems to operate, the problem will require some quick assessment on your side to determine if you should call an electrician, gas maintenance team, a plumber, or all of them. Water heater leaks will require a plumber’s input. Signs of water heater leaks include water pools below the pipes, corrosion and rust on pipes, and water contamination in the reservoir.
5. Faulty Fixtures
Some faulty fixtures that plumbers face are dripping faucets and running toilets. Faulty fixtures like these can lead to significant water wastage if left unrepaired for extended periods. Also, faucets that drip can lead to corrosion and rot of metallic and wooden surfaces near the fixture.
Most of the time, these problems originate from compromised seals and water level controls. For example, faucets can drip if the O-ring inside does not properly seal the fixture. Running toilets result from a compromised flapper that lets water run from the tank to the bowl. These issues require easy fixes if the main culprit is a compromised seal. If the problem is the fixture, repairs will cost a lot more.
No matter the problem you encounter in your house, a plumber is the best bet to ensure that the problem does not reoccur. Also, they can reveal more serious issues that you thought were minor in your system. Contact us at Apollo Heating, Air & Plumbing for plumbing repairs and maintenance.