Common Plumbing Problems and How to Prevent Them

One of the biggest frustrations homeowners experience when it comes to home plumbing is dealing with problems such as dripping faucets, high water bills and clogged drains.

Plumbing problems may be inevitable, but others can often be avoided with regular maintenance and vigilance. This blog will discuss common plumbing problems and ways to prevent them.

Leaky Faucets

Leaky faucets not only waste water, but can cause extensive water damage as well. Mold growth poses serious threats to family health. Left unchecked, it could even cause other pipes to burst and become leaky as well posing greater danger.

Leaks often stem from internal corrosion caused by hard water that contains minerals that wear away at inlet and outlet seals over time, eventually leading to their leakiness and eventual dripping. While you can repair some leaky faucets yourself, many require professional plumbing services for repair.

Before beginning repairs on your sink, to avoid wasting water and risking major damage, turn off its water source and remove its handle before organizing all its parts to be put back together seamlessly later. A screwdriver should allow access to all components by loosening and unscrewing its screw.

Clogged Drains

Clogged drains are one of the most prevalent plumbing issues that homeowners deal with, often at great expense and inconvenience. Unable to resolve themselves on their own, these blockages can prove expensive, time consuming and expensive to solve.

However, there are ways that can help prevent drain clogs. One strategy to try and do so would be being aware of what goes down your drains. While ideally only sewage and water should flow down them, in reality many other substances such as rice, pasta and breads (which expand when washed down the drain); oil, fat and grease clogging up pipes as well as hair (both human and pet) may make an appearance down there too.

Regular drain maintenance using a plunger or drain snake should help avoid blockages in your plumbing. Baking soda and vinegar may help loosen clogs as an alternative solution; however, if these methods don’t work for you it is advised that you contact a plumber in Northridge to assist.

Burst Pipes

Cold wintery temperatures can make life unpleasant in many ways, and frozen or burst pipes can have catastrophic results. It’s crucial that we understand what causes water pipes to burst and how we can prevent future ruptures.

As temperatures cool down, water in pipes freezes solidifying into ice which restricts flow and increases pressure within, eventually reaching too much and leading to burst. This phenomenon can occur anywhere; it is especially prevalent among older homes or those lacking adequate insulation.

Signs of a burst pipe include large puddles accumulating around your house and noises coming from walls, as well as water sounds emanating from them. A metallic taste or smell could also indicate corrosion of your pipes causing leakage; to rule this out as the source, check other fixtures such as toilets or sinks first to make sure it isn’t their cause; consulting with a licensed plumber could prevent their pipes from bursting prematurely.

Water Heater Issues

Modern plumbing is an incredible feat of engineering, yet it can become problematic at times. Common issues include clogged drains and toilets, leaky pipes and water heaters and low water pressure; all of which can become costly repairs if left to fester for too long.

Some problems can be repaired at home with just a bit of know-how and know-how, however before beginning repairs it’s essential to shut off your water before beginning, wear safety goggles and gloves to do DIY projects and have all necessary tools and parts on hand to avoid making things worse.

Leakage from pipes can do serious damage if they go undetected for too long, damaging wood, metal and creating breeding grounds for bacteria and insects. Regular inspections can help identify leaky pipes before they cause serious problems; other ways of preventing pipe problems include decreasing your water usage, installing drain screens or insulation around exposed pipes.