Did you know that small water leaks in US homes cause up to 1 trillion gallons of water loss annually? Additionally, most of these leaks occur in plumbing systems. It only takes a few leaks in your home to waste gallons of water, with one water drop just needing additional 3,999 drops to waste a liter of water. Another single drip per minute from another faucet also costs you approximately 1440 drips daily and 34 gallons annually!
What do these figures mean? They indicate that small plumbing problems requiring timely professional plumbing repairs can be costly but avoidable. So, address these plumbing problems before they spiral out of control into huge financial losses. This post discusses the seven leading ones. Remain on board to learn more and resolve them.
1. Running Toilets
An average running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water daily. Mostly, toilet problems result from various corroding toilet handles, refill tube challenges, and incorrectly sized flapper chains. Sadly, most toilet leaks aren’t noticed on time.
It is critical to deal with the causes on time to avoid bigger problems. For example, plumbing challenges a rubber flapper causes are easy to fix. These hiccups arise when the flapper loses its shape and fails to seal the tank properly. Also, the chain attached to the flapper gets wasted, leading to leaks. You can fix this problem by replacing the entire mechanism and testing the toilet using food coloring.
2. Blocked Drains
Clogged drains in the home also cause costly health risks to your family and visitors if you don’t address them on time. A clogged drain means that the problem is localized in a particular area. For instance, drains clog because of soap, hair, and other foreign objects that build up in the system over time. Cleaning your drains on time can solve this problem before it spirals out of control.
If you notice several drain clogs in your home, it’s most likely that the sewer lines have a problem. Clogging of this magnitude would require you to call a plumbing expert to perform professional plumbing repairs. This is necessary, especially when the clogging problem begins with the drains in your home’s lower areas. Such timely intervention will save you bigger and costlier repairs in the future.
3. Failing Sump Pumps
Failing sump pumps are another common plumbing problem in many homes. These failures can be traced to problems in the pump or other external issues. A failing sump pump can cause serious plumbing problems if you don’t arrest the situation on time. Some of the causes of these failures include a clogged discharge pipe, a stuck switch, excessive waters resulting from floods, and incorrect pump installation.
Additionally, old pumps nearing or over ten years old are vulnerable to regular failures. Thus, replace all aging sump pumps to save yourself unnecessary plumbing headaches.
4. Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure is another common plumbing challenge many homes face. It can make it difficult for you to enjoy using your plumbing system. Mostly, low pressure indicates a bigger plumbing challenge like corroding pipes, clogged sewer lines, or clogged drains.
5. Leaking Pipes
Leaking pipes are another plumbing headache many homeowners face. Different factors cause this challenge. Some of these problems are caused by incorrectly laid pipes, corroding pipes, cracked pipes and seals, and chronic clogs.
It’s advisable you fix this problem on time irrespective of its cause. Ignoring leaking pipes could cause bigger problems that might require costly plumbing repairs.
6. Leaking Faucets
A leaking faucet is a costly and wasteful nuisance to any homeowner. This problem can result from different factors, most of which are easy to fix if detected early. For example, corrosion or incorrect faucet installation could cause leakage. You can call a professional plumber to diagnose the challenge, especially after you tried replacing its O ring, but the problem persists.
7. Slow-Draining Tub
A slow-draining tub is another plumbing problem homeowners face. Many factors cause this problem. For instance, debris and hair can block water flow down the drain as the water leaves the tub. You can fix the issue by removing the visible objects that caused it. Fixing this issue requires a pair of needle-nose pliers.
At times, removing some forms of debris from tubs can be challenging, particularly if you lack plumbing experience or tools. It’s recommended you call a professional plumber to fix such complex problems.
You are now abreast of the seven common plumbing problems that could require plumbing repairs. Don’t hesitate to call a professional plumber for assistance when their magnitude exceeds your ability.