Photo By
Different problems occur in the plumbing systems of average U.S. homes, with leakages being more common than others. The leading causes of household leaks, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), include worn-out toilet flappers, faulty faucets, showerheads, and broken pipes.
Nearly 10,000 gallons of water from homes across the United States leak and go to waste yearly. It’s not surprising that 10% of households, including those in Oak Ridge, TN, lose 90 gallons or more per day . Not to worry, though. You could save about 10% on your water bills by fixing these leaks with the right tools and basic knowledge about your plumbing system.
However, it’s prudent that you hire a professional plumber to run diagnostic tests on the entire plumbing system, identify the root cause, and perform repairs or replacements. Here are some of the common hitches that you’re likely to encounter in your plumbing system and how to fix them:
Leaky faucets and pipes
Taps at various user points contain washers that are made of silicon or rubber components. They help to regulate the flow of water, for instance, when you turn off the tap, the washers form a water-tight seal that inhibits more water from making its way out via the faucet.
For this reason, the leading cause of leaking taps is a worn-out, dislodged, or hardened internal washer, corrosion, and poorly installed faucets. Leaky pipes are frequent during extreme winters when the water flowing through them freezes and expands, leading to drips or bursts, especially at the pipe joints. Breakages may also occur as a result of human activities such as repairs and constructions in sections where the pipes pass through and attack by rodents.
Water lost through leaky faucets and pipes translates to higher water bills, provide a conducive environment for mold growth, and may lead to accidents such as slips. As a homeowner, you should conduct regular inspections of your plumbing system as you carry on with your daily activities to identify dripping faucets.
Visible rusting, dripping sounds, and tiny pools of water collecting below your pipes are indicators of leakages. Given that you need water daily in your house, it’s likely that you’ll be faced with leaky faucets at a certain point when the washers become obsolete.
You could consider fixing small leaks in pipes using a rubber sheet or leak tape as a short-term solution. Also, avoid straining the handles of your taps as a preventive measure. The long-term remedy for leaky pipes and faucets is hiring a professional to replace broken sections in your pipework and faulty washers.
Clogged drains
Clogged drains occur due to the accumulation of household waste and debris, including congealed fat, food remains, personal care products, hair, and foreign objects that restrict the flow of wastewater.
The blockage poses a significant health risk to your entire family in the form of potentially life-threatening infectious diseases spread through contaminated food and drinks.
Clogged drains manifest as backflows when you flush the toilet, empty a sink, or take a shower. When faced with a clogged drain, you could always try to unblock it using a plunger, and don’t hesitate to call a licensed professional to help you out.
You could prevent frequent blockages by installing a drain guard at appropriate drain points such as kitchen sinks and shower drains to trap hair and other debris.
Also, ensure that you only flush dissolvable waste products down the toilet and proper garbage disposal. Plumbers in established companies employ advanced methods and tools, including air pressure, chemicals, plungers, and plumbing snakes, to dislodge or remove the clogs from your pipes.
Low water pressure
At times, you may notice water trickling when you open your tap rather than gushing. This indicates low water pressure. You could check with your neighbors if they’re experiencing the same problem or reach out to the water company that serves your area to confirm that the issue lies in your plumbing system.
Several factors could be attributed to low water pressure in your houses, such as pipe corrosion, hidden leaks, or clogs. The water entering your pipes carries sediments and dissolved minerals that eventually build-up and deposit on metal surfaces, filters, and aerators, thus impeding the water flow at the user points.
You can fix minor clogs in the aerator by soaking it in vinegar and reduce the build-up of calcium deposits and sediments by flushing your water tank. You could also hire a dependable plumber to replace corroded and leaking pipes, thus restore normal water pressure.
A wobbly and running toilet
A wobbly toilet is caused by loose connections in the bolts that hold your bathroom to the floor. However, it could result from leaking water eating away at your sub-floor or faults in the wax seal around your toilet.
Besides, a running toilet is primarily due to a faulty flapper valve, which regulates water flow from the tank to the bowl. Other causes include sediments that could affect the toilet’s flushing and filling, corroded shower handles, and refill tube problems. A running toilet could translate to significantly high water bills if you don’t seek a plumber to fix it for you.
Malfunctioning water heaters
Hot water is a necessity in your home for routine activities such as laundry, showers, and dishwashing. Several factors could contribute to a malfunctioning water heater, such as mineral deposits, poor installation, loose electrical connections, and faulty thermostat and heating elements.
You’ll notice malfunctioning water heaters when you get water of undesired temperature at the designated user points. You could try flushing your water tank regularly to get rid of mineral deposits as a preventive measure. Due to the sensitivity of the electrical components in your water heater, it’s recommended that you hire a certified plumber to carry out repair and maintenance.
Sewer odors
Sewer drains consist of vents and traps that are designed to prevent sewer gas from entering your home. Thus, sewer odors occur when there is a crack in the vent line or worn-out traps in your drain. Sewer odors are a menace and could cause an infestation by flies, rendering you uncomfortable in your own house. You should contact an experienced plumber in Oak Ridge, TN, before things get out of hand.
A reliable plumbing company
My Professional Plumber is a plumbing service provider that serves homeowners with plumbing installations and repair, drain cleaning, tankless water heaters, and garbage disposals. Our licensed plumbers respond to emergency services promptly and are available on a 24/7 basis.
When faced with any plumbing needs, don’t hesitate to call us. Our plumbers are well-equipped and conversant with contemporary practices in the plumbing sector to help restore normalcy in your home.