The Most Common Plumbing Problems And How To Avoid Them

It's realistic to expect clogged drains or leaky faucets as your house ages. What's not realistic is being unable to avoid these problems in the first place.

You can count on professionals, but fixing minor plumbing issues on your own can save you a lot.

On that note, if you live in Seattle, contact Seattle plumbers if you want plumbing services that undertake the necessary safety measures.

Without further ado, below are a few tips to help you avoid the most common plumbing issues.

1. Clogged Drains

Probably the most frustrating plumbing issue is clogged drains. Luckily, drains can be unclogged easily without calling for help. But to avoid clogging drains in the future, follow the steps below:

• Use drain screens and clean them regularly.
• Clean sink stoppers regularly.
• Don’t dispose of grease or oil in the drain.
• Use chemical cleaners sparsely as they erode pipes overtime.
• Pour boiling water down the drain once a week to clear the build-up on any debris.

2. Clogged Toilets

Yet another plumbing issue that can be avoided by using common sense. Toilets can’t flush items that don’t break down quickly. Thus, don’t treat your toilets like garbage cans.

That means, avoid flushing toilet papers, napkins, tissues, sanitary pads, and any other foreign object. Just by doing so, you can prevent toilets from clogging altogether.

Another helpful tip would be to keep a garbage can in your bathroom. Doing so will prevent people from throwing items inside the toilet.

3. Leaky Pipes

Leaking pipes can cause significant damage to the floor, furniture, walls, and breeds annoying insects. You can replace the broken pipe if you have the tools and the skills, but it’s best to let a professional do it.

To avoid leaky pipes, regularly inspect for any water drips. If found, fix them immediately to prevent more damage and water wastage.

4. Jammed Garbage Disposal

A jammed garbage disposal can cause a lot of problems. Most of the time, hitting its reset button fixes it. But when it doesn’t work, you need to open it up with the help of a professional. To avoid this:

• Never turn them on without running water.
• Avoid throwing fatty foods, grease items, hard or fibrous materials.
• Pour a solution of vinegar and baking soda to keep it fresh.
• Grind ice cubes in it once a month to sharpen its blades.

5. Dripping Faucets

Probably the most common issue faced by almost all homeowners is that of leaky taps. Not only does this waste a lot of water, but it can also increase your water bill.

Typically, the cause of dripping faucet is a faulty internal washer. The washer can be fixed quickly by watching a tutorial, but you must have the right tools.

Avoiding faucets from dipping is difficult as it is bound to happen with regular use. Thus, turn the taps on and off gently without pressuring its handles.

6. Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure isn’t a major issue in old houses, but if your home is relatively new, you may have a problem. Slow water pressure is annoying as it gets challenging to shower or wash anything.

Its causes are broken, clogged, or corroded pipes. So, inspect the issue first before finding the solution. To avoid low water pressure, install a filtration system, and regularly check for any leaks or damage.

7. Faulty Water Heater

Did you intend to take a warm bath but instead were shocked by cold water? Then your water heater needs repair. Apart from that, dripping water, discolored water, noises from the heater unit are also signs of a faulty water heater.

Keep in mind, fixing water heater issues without professional help can be risky. So, always call a professional. However, schedule regular maintenance checks to avoid these issues and keep your water heater operating smoothly.