7 Common Plumbing Issues For Apartment Dwellers

Whether you live in a new high-rise apartment tower or an old, traditional courtyard building, the reality is, you’ll inevitably need the help of residential plumbing services. And while the plumbing systems in apartments have the same straightforward nature as a single house, these common plumbing problems can get pretty complicated. 

This is because the plumbing system in an apartment is typically shared throughout the entire property, and you cannot control what others do with their sinks and drains.

When a kitchen sink in one room gets clogged or backed up, it can cause multiple sinks along the line to back up. And if the backup is too large, the lower unit may even end up flooding. 

Plumbing Problems That You Should Watch Out For In Your Apartment

Clogged drains, leaky fixtures, water pipe corrosion, low water pressure and other apartment plumbing issues need to be taken care of immediately to avoid costly and extensive damage in the long run. Taking a proactive approach goes a long way towards preventing any health risks, headaches, and stress that can severely affect all apartment residents.

It all starts with knowing the most common plumbing problems to watch out for so you can help in effectively taking care of the apartment building. Here are some of the plumbing issues any apartment dweller is likely to face, the initial steps to take, and when to call an emergency plumber to resolve the problem before it gets worse.

• Clogged Toilets

A clogged toilet is every homeowner and apartment dweller’s nightmare. A toilet clogs because of a variety of reasons — from the paper, toys, debris, and other hard objects and wastes that accumulate and find their way into those drain pipes to a broken or cracked sewer line that creates a disruption.

This common plumbing issue is a serious concern in apartments because when a toilet clogs, it can cause multiple sinks along the line to backup and affect the drainage system of the entire building. Plus, it also poses health hazards as the foul smell and stagnant waste can attract insects and become breeding grounds of bacteria and other microorganisms. 

Renters can easily resolve minor toilet clogs on their own by using plungers, piping cleaners, or drain snakes. If any of these solutions don’t address the stubborn clog, make sure to seek professional plumbing services right away so you don’t end up with flooding that can severely damage the living space. 

• Blocked Drains

Most renters think that slow or clogged drains are minor issues, until they start to see how water sits in the tubs and sinks for longer than usual and makes these fixtures difficult to use over time. 

In most cases, kitchen and bathroom drains get clogged due to the build-up of grease, hair, soap residue, food particles, and other materials. One blocked or slow drain in a unit of an apartment can lead to the clogging of multiple sinks and even flooding if the issue is not dealt with right away.

Most blocked drains in kitchens and bathrooms can be cleaned by using a sink plunger to break up the clogs. Liquid drain cleaners also help dissolve the heaped block and break into tiny parts. Don’t hesitate to call a plumber if you find that the residual backup is too large or too tough for you to handle. 

• Leaky Faucets

Leaky faucets are inconvenient and annoying, and even the smallest leaks can add up to a huge surge in water costs over time. If this type of plumbing problem goes under the radar for longer, the water will seep into your home’s walls, ceilings, floors, and furnishing and cause massive damage to your apartment. 

One of the most common reasons why faucets leak is because the nuts at the base of the faucet become loose and need to be tightened with a wrench. In other cases, the aerator has been worn-out and needs to be replaced. 

It’s crucial to identify where the leak is coming from and then shut off your water supply. Unscrew the damaged aerator and replace it with a new one. Check for any base leaks and fix them by taking out the spout assembly and replacing it’s O-ring.

Act immediately once you notice that there are sudden increases in your water bills and you’ve been having issues with your apartment water. Save precious money and energy by leaving it to a professional plumber to find and fix the hidden leaks. 

• Frozen Pipes

Drastic weather changes and temperature drops can severely affect the health and structural integrity of your fixtures and plumbing system. When freezing temperatures hit, the water in the pipes expand and the pipes crack or burst open. Water spills all over the place and may lead to a serious flood or leak that interrupts your supply and other nearby apartments as well.

It is best to call a plumber to promptly fix any frozen pipes and prevent more extensive damage to other parts of the apartment complex. You can also do your part to keep frozen pipes from occurring by opening kitchen and bathroom cabinets that enclose the pipes and allowing heat to circulate during colder temperatures.

• Blocked Showerheads

A clogged showerhead is another common issue in most apartments. This happens when the mineral deposits from water accumulate and fill up the shower heads’ holes, preventing water to pass and come out from the fixture.

More often than not, this plumbing problem can be resolved through simple replacements or easy household fixes. Remove the faulty showerheads and replace them with new ones. You can also try to place the fixture in a bowl of vinegar, water, and lemon juice for several hours or overnight to see if the solution can dissolve the mineral deposits. 

• Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure can make the most mundane daily chores and activities like washing dishes, doing the laundry, and getting a relaxing, warm shower pretty complicated and frustrating.

Generally, water pressure decreases as you go high up the apartment. Ideally, though, the water system should be efficient enough to maintain a reasonable pressure throughout the building.

The first step to solving the water heater problem is to verify with your local water utility if the sudden drop in water pressure can be attributed to maintenance issues. Otherwise, check if your clogged aerators may be causing the low water pressure.

If both your hot and cold water are affected, clean or replace your aerators and check if these methods will work to improve the water pressure. If they don’t, then it’s best to ask for professional plumber to install either a larger main water supply pipe or a booster pump.

• Dirty Water

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with the apartment owner or an experienced plumber right away if you find that the water coming from the taps in your apartment is dirty and unsafe to drink. Dirty water poses serious health hazards so it pays to call the professionals if you notice that the water has an unusual color, scent, and sediments or particles.

Contaminated water is among the common plumbing problems in older apartments and those located in urban communities. This is often caused by pipe corrosion in old water and sewage lines that break down because of years of wear and tear. Water mains and sewer lines in the distribution system can also fail due to high pressure surges or damage by construction work. 

Apartment dwellers must take extra precautions and be more proactive about the different kinds of plumbing emergency that they will have to deal with in one way or another. While many plumbing problems can be fixed on your own, it’s best to have a trusted plumbing company you can trust to deliver excellent plumbing repair service when you need it most.

Fixing Your Apartment Plumbing Problems

With the right plumbing tool and top-notch techniques, our plumber can see to it that your plumbing fixtures function perfectly to your satisfaction.

Look no further than Bobby Blue Plumbing to fix even your most complicated apartment plumbing woes and prevent any widespread damage. Get in touch with our team at Bobby Blue Plumbing to schedule regular inspections and maintenance checks!