Five Common Plumbing Problems
Five Common Plumbing Problems
It happens to the best of us: it’s your busiest week in months and now your faucet is leaking! Before giving up on everything or spending three hours at the hardware store wondering what to get, give your plumber a call. Some plumbing issues can be fixed in less than 30 minutes when a plumbing expert is on the job. Here are 5 common problems your plumber can help you with.
1. A leaky faucet and pipes
A drippy faucet isn’t only annoying, it can quickly make your water bill skyrocket. If your pipes are leaking, it can cause water damage that will end up being very costly (or need a full renovation to fix).
The causes of a leaky faucet depend on your specific situation. It might be because of a worn-out gasket, a corroded valve, or even a loose O ring. Pipes pose other issues, and will generally leak at the connection with other pipes. While fixing a leak is pretty straightforward, choosing the right parts at the hardware store can be difficult if you’ve never done it. You might end up having to go several times just to find the right replacement.
Save yourself the headache and call your plumber as soon as you see the first signs. It’s an easy fix when you have the right tools, and your plumber will be done with it in less than an hour.
2. Low water pressure in the shower
If your shower head lacks pressure, your plumber can help with it. An expert will have the tools to determine the exact cause but low water pressure can happen for several reasons.
- A clogged shower head. This happens if your water is too hard. The minerals in your water will build sediment over time and end up blocking the water flow. You can either replace the part altogether or soak it in acid to dissolve the buildup.
- An old fixture: Old water-saving heads can go too far and leave you with a poor shower experience. We recommend swapping for a new eco-friendly option that gives you more pressure without a higher water bill.
- Faulty valve: This part controls the amount of hot or cold water sent to the shower head. If it’s stuck or broken, your water flow will probably suffer.
- Broken pressure regulator: Most homes have a water pressure regulator that keeps your pipes safe. If this fails, you might see extremely low or high pressure. An experienced plumber will be able to fix this by replacing the regulator.
An old water heater can be one of the biggest culprits of an abnormally high energy bill.
3. Adding a water softening system
Got terrible white spots all over your bathroom and kitchen? Hard water is likely to blame. If left untreated, water that is too hard can end up clogging your pipes and damaging your appliances. Hard water can also dry out your skin, worsen conditions like eczema and leave that slimy “soap scum” all over your bathroom and the inside of your washer.
A plumber can help by installing a water softener system for your entire home. This is a system that “catches” the calcium and magnesium in your native water, while simultaneously releasing sodium. This installation needs a mineral tank, a control valve and a brine tank to be installed, but other than that it’s pretty straightforward.
If you don’t have hard water but would like your tap water to taste better, then a water filter is your best option. These filters pass your water through multiple layers that get rid of the smell, taste, and chemicals that many water sources come with. You’ll be enjoying fresh, tasty water in no time.
4. Cutting High Energy Bills
Yes, your plumber can help you lower your energy consumption! An old water heater can be one of the biggest culprits of an abnormally high energy bill. If that sounds like you, an update is probably in order. Newer heaters only heat water when needed instead of all the time. This means your heater will be smaller and can save you some money on your water bill as well.
On the other hand, if your heater hasn’t been checked in the last year give your plumber a call. A yearly checkup is a must if you want to keep your hot water running. Your plumber will be able to quickly detect and fix corroded parts, clean any buildup or the disfunction of the heating element.
5. Upgrading Your Bathroom
This one isn’t exactly a quick fix, but it’s so easy it’s worth a place on the list.
If your bathroom feels outdated, switching your old fixtures might be enough to give you that spa feel. The best thing is that you’ll be saving a lot when compared to a full makeover. A plumber can help you switch out your bathtub, toilet and even your sink, without getting into costly renovations or tearing down any walls.
The possibilities are endless. If you have a small bathroom, consider getting compact versions of your traditional fixtures. Nowadays, compact sinks and toilets are easy to find and are comfortable to use. You’ll get much-needed inches that can completely overhaul how your bathroom feels! Or get a deeper free-standing bathtub to replace your old one. It’s an easy swap that makes bath time feel luxurious.
Should you call your plumber for small projects?
We’re all for DIY, especially if you have some knowledge about plumbing yourself. But if you don’t have the time to do your research and make unlimited trips to the hardware store, calling an
expert plumber is your best option. A plumber can get your problem fixed fairly quickly, and you’ll be sure the end result won’t leak and cause more issues down the road.
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