The 6 Most Common Plumbing Problems You’ll Face at Home

Every homeowner is bound to face a frustrating plumbing issue at one point or another. From normal wear and tear and aging pipes and fixtures to leaky faucets, clogged and slow drain, running toilet, hot water problems and more, you’ll be surprised by how many times you may need the help of an Emergency Plumber to get on top of common plumbing problems.

Here Are Some Of The Signs You Need An Expert Plumber To Check Your Home 

There are easy plumbing problems that you can attempt to DIY if you have the right plumbing tool and techniques. The more complicated plumbing services, however, require the expertise of a professional team so they don’t turn into worse challenges in the long run. 

Here are some of the most common plumbing issues to look out for at home so you’ll know when to call for expert residential plumbing services and save yourself from potential safety and health hazards down the line.

• Clogged Drains

No plumbing problem is more frequent or more annoying than slow or clogged drains.

Bathroom and shower drains generally get clogged because of hair and soap. In the kitchen, food debris – from potato peels to food coloring and more – is usually the culprit. Any foul drain smell when you use the kitchen sink is also a red flag.

Nearly anything else that can fall into the drain can cause blockage. You may try to use a plunger, a snake, baking soda, vinegar, and other at-home methods to dissolve the drain clog. If not addressed quickly, however, drainage problems may eventually turn into health hazards and even plumbing disasters.

It’s best to seek professional plumbers right away when you notice multiple slow drains in your home — especially if the problem stems from a complete clog far down in the lowest areas of the property. 

You can count on plumbers to use the right drain cleaners, methods, and plumbing equipment to safely remove blockages and restore proper drainage promptly and efficiently. Routine drain cleaning will also work to prevent drain problems in the future.

• Running Toilets 

Did you know that a running toilet may cause you to waste up to 200 gallons of water each day? Plus, a water bill that seems too high may also be a sign that you are dealing with silent leaks in your toilet.

Toilets typically run when the flapper valve that lets water pass from the tank to the bowl is worn out and no longer fits properly. Other causes also include loose or corroded toilet handles, refill tube problems, or sediment that is affecting proper flushing and filling.

Don’t think twice about calling a plumber when you notice that your toilet just won’t stop running water. A professional plumber will see to it that the flapper valve is working as it should so your running toilet problem will not lead to excessive water flow. 

• Dripping Faucets

Not only can dripping faucets be such intolerable nuisances, but they can also add up to hefty water bills and cost you big bucks from wasting gallons of water daily. If you leave the problem for too long, you might end up spending a fortune on water you don’t actually use. 

In some instances, a dripping faucet is caused by a washer or O-ring that has been worn out, stiff, torn, or dislodged over time. You can easily replace them to fix the issue. If a simple replacement won’t do the trick, then you may be facing corrosion or improper faucet installation.

Let professional plumbers expertly diagnose the plumbing problems so you won’t end up suffering from excessive water drips that may damage your home’s systems and structure.  

• Leaking Pipes

Homeowners normally do not think of their pipes until something goes awfully wrong. One may think that leaky pipes are among those easy household fixes, but they actually reveal a host of potentially dangerous residential plumbing issues that should be dealt with at once.

From pipe corrosion and joint damage to incorrect pipe laying, cracked steals, stubborn clogs, excessive water pressure, and more, leaky pipes can be caused by all sorts of problems. A compression clamp and a rubber sheet or tape may be used to temporarily contain the leak in the sewer line until a professional plumber gets to fix the underlying issues.

The longer leaky pipes are ignored, the more damage they can cause to your plumbing systems, home structure, and skyrocketing water bills. It’s best to have expert plumbers inspect your home and customize permanent solutions to fix the problem and make sure no further damage is done. 

• Low Water Pressure

Have you ever been extremely disappointed after turning on the kitchen faucet or shower to find out that only trickles of water come out of the tap?

The lack of water pressure may be caused by water supply issues in your area. More often than not, however, this issue stems from a build-up of debris, dirt, and other contaminants in your faucets or shower heads. 

Low water pressure is an inconvenience, especially when you need to wash the dishes, water your plants, or use pretty much any plumbing system in your home. There are many home remedies you can do to resolve the problem. You can soak the aerator or shower heads in vinegar and then scrub them to remove all deposits. 

Low water pressure in your home should be investigated further because this could be indicative of much bigger plumbing problems like hidden water leaks, pipe corrosion, cracked sewer lines, and drain or sewer clogs. 

If a quick and simple clean of faucets doesn’t remedy your water pressure, then it’s best to bring in the experts to look into the issue and address the root cause. A professional plumber will be able to use the right tools and innovative techniques to improve your plumbing system and avoid future issues. 

• Hot Water Heater Issues

It’s difficult for any homeowner to go without hot water for a long period of time. Imagine expecting warm or hot water from your shower head first thing in the morning then the water suddenly turns cold. 

You may be facing a bigger plumbing emergency when your water heaters aren’t providing enough or any hot water. There are many issues that can cause your water heater to fail.

The thermostat can be at fault or there’s corrosion or sediment buildup in the tank. Heating element failures and improper installation may also be causing the water heater problems. 

Try to resolve the issue by checking the settings on your heater and the status of your pilot light. If this doesn’t work, turn to professional plumbers to inspect, maintain, and fix your water heater to prevent many unforeseen problems and keep your heater running at top efficiency. 

Final Word

While there are many common plumbing problems at home that you can fix yourself, it’s always best to have a professional plumbing company you can trust to regularly check and maintain your systems.

Don’t take your residential plumbing issues lightly as even the smallest problems can lead to larger and more hazardous complications. Expert plumbers have the experience, confidence, and proper equipment to effectively diagnose and fix plumbing issues with precision and speed.

If you’re facing a plumbing problem in your home, help is on the way. Our team at Bobby Blue Plumbing has over 10 years of experiencing helping private homes and businesses alike fix their plumbing woes.

We’ll be more than happy to check any and all plumbing issues for you. We offer 24-hour emergency plumbing, so don’t hesitate to call us at Bobby Blue Plumbing should you need our assistance.