The 9 Most Common Plumbing Problems

Plumbing problems can range from the comparatively mild and inexpensive, such as a leaking faucet or running toilet, to the more serious and costly, such as a sewage system backup or a large pipe leak, which can cause significant structural damage to property as well as damaging the contents of a house or enterprise.

Expert Plumbers Ryde has listed below nine common problems, their sources, and how to solve them. Some issues are pretty simple to solve if you have a few practical skills and a desire to learn, while others would almost definitely necessitate contacting skilled plumbers in Ryde.

• Dripping Faucets

Dripping faucets are so popular that it’s odd to come across someone who hasn’t dealt with them. It’s not just an annoyance; wasting water will increase your water bill and save you money. Over the course of a year, a single faucet will waste hundreds of gallons.

Internal washers that have been stiff, broken, worn, or dislodged over time are also the source of dripping faucets. If this is the case, a person with simple DIY skills and resources will normally solve the problem. Start by turning off the water supply for leaking faucets. Disassemble the faucet and remove the broken washer. Fit a new washer and then reassemble the faucet. See how simple it is!

• Slow Draining Sink

A blockage that prevents water from flowing freely generally exacerbates the problem. In your kitchen sink drain, you’ll find congealed fat and meal remnants. Knotted hair and soap are more likely to create a blockage in a bathroom drain.

Therefore, using a plunger, dumping baking soda and vinegar or a chemical clog remover into the drain, or using a plumber’s snake are all options for removing a clogged sink. It will more likely worsen with time if the problem is not resolved. As a result, the drain will get entirely blocked.

Using Chemicals to Unclog a Sink Drain:

• Make sure you obey all of the instructions on the package and don’t use too many.
• To ensure your protection, put on gloves and goggles.
• Mixing substances is not a good idea. This will result in the production of poisonous gas.
• Drain chemicals down the drain.

Note that using chemicals on a regular basis will cause harm to your drainage pipes. This is the reason why Expert Plumbers Ryde suggest not to use this process frequently.

• Clogged Bath or Shower Drain

Clogs of hair and soap clog bath and shower drains in the same way they clog bathroom sink drain. A plunger or a plumber’s snake can be needed to clear the blockage. If the situation is not addressed, it can normally worsen over time. By purchasing a drain guard to capture the hair, the problem can be avoided or minimized.

How to Unclog a Shower Drain by using a Plunger

• By using petroleum jelly to the tip of the suction pad, the seal can be improved.
• Be sure there’s enough water in the tub to fully submerge the plunger’s end.
• Plunge with all your might.

• Clogged Toilets

A clog occurs as the toilet bowl fills up and does not empty. A combination of paper and human waste usually causes blockage. A plunger will usually unclog a clogged toilet. But if that doesn’t work, you should try using a sewer snake or a drain auger to clear the blockage.

• Running Toilet

A running toilet can be expensive, wasting up to 200 gallons of water per day. A broken flapper valve, which regulates the flow of water from the tank to the bowl, is the most common cause. With a toilet repair kit from any hardware shop, this is a relatively simple patch.

The waste which blocks flushing and filling of the toilet may also aggravate toilet lines. If your water costs are unusually large, try adding some food coloring in the upper tank and seeing if it finds its way to the toilet without being flushed.

• Faulty Water Heater

It’s possible that you won’t notice the problem until you’re in the tub and the water abruptly turns cold. A number of factors can lead to the failure of a water heater. You will need to relight the pilot light if it goes out. Sediment build-up in the tank will also trigger issues. It’s possible that the thermostat is to blame at some times.

Unless It’s something as simple as the pilot light having to be relit, you must call a specialist to test, maintain, and repair your water heater.

• Low Water Pressure

If the water trickles rather than gushes out of the tap, it may be a sign of low water pressure. This is a common issue in older households. A number of factors may contribute to low water pressure. The most important of which is leaking pipes that have been cracked, worn, or corroded over time.

If you have low water pressure in your tap, it’s most likely due to a build-up of sand and mineral particles on the aerators. To disinfect the aerator, soak it in vinegar. If the shower is the source of the problem, soak the showerhead in vinegar or uninstall it entirely.

• Jammed Garbage Disposals

Garbage disposals are very helpful equipment, but they may sometimes get clogged. Running them without water, discarding certain food substances like cornhusks and potato peels, or allowing silverware to enter can all trigger issues.

The reset button can still be your first line of defense, but if it doesn’t work, you’ll need to open it up. If you lose the key that came with the garbage disposal, you can free the engine with a 1/4 inch Allen wrench.

• Leaky Pipes

Leaky pipes are more than an annoyance; they can ruin furniture and surfaces, and the dampness can attract bugs such as cockroaches. Pipe joints are almost often the source of leaks. Tape, compounds, and fillers may also offer a temporary repair, so you’ll need to swap a piece of pipe or the associated fittings with something more durable. Hence, this will necessitate calling a professional Plumbers Ryde. In the winter, as water freezes, expands, and bursts valves, leaks are more likely.