What To Do With A Broken Pipe
Plumbing issues are one of the most common household repair problems, ranging in severity from running toilets and dripping faucets, which are easily repaired, to sewer system backups and large pipe leaks capable of damaging the walls and floors of a house, which can be incredibly complicated and expensive to repair. This article will cover the most common plumbing problems, how to identify when the plumbing needs to be fixed, and what measures need to be taken in order to repair the damages. It will also teach you how to perform simple plumbing repairs.
There are a wide variety of plumbing problems, but not all of them are equally common, and, as such, this article will focus on describing the ones that are the most likely to occur. Dripping faucets are perhaps the single most common plumbing problem; they can increase water bills and cost homeowners quite a lot of money. Dripping faucets often occur when an internal washer becomes stiff, worn, torn, or dislodged. Slowly draining sinks are usually caused by a blockage (in the form of fat or food remnants in kitchen sinks and in the form of hair and soap in bathroom sinks). Slowly clogging bath or shower drains, which lead to slowly draining baths or showers, are usually clogged by hair or soap, like bathroom sinks.
Clogged toilets, when the toilet bowl fills up and does not drain away, are usually caused by a mixture of human waste and toilet paper. Running toilets, which can result in the loss of 200 gallons of water a day, are usually caused by a faulty flipper valve (which controls the water that passes from the tank to the bowl). However, a running toilet can also be caused by sediment affecting the flushing and filling. Faulty water heaters can be caused by the pilot light going out, problems with the thermostat, or a build-up of sediment in the tanks, which results in a lack of warm water for baths,sinks, and showers. Jammed garbage disposals occur when they are run without water, used to dispose of foods like corn husks or potato peels, and by allowing silverware to fall into the disposal.
Low water pressure, which often causes water to drip rather than flow out of faucets, can be caused by leaking pipes, build-up of sediments in the aerator, or problems with the faucet itself. Leaky pipes can cause damages to furniture and floors and create dampness that encourage the arrival of pests. Leaks almost always occur at the pipe joints, and usually occur during the winter, when water in the pipes freezes and expands, causing the pipes to burst. Finally, the sewer system package makes multiple drains and toilets stop working and create a terrible smell. They are usually caused by the main sewer being clogged, sewer lines breaking or collapsing, and tree roots invading the pipes.
So, what are the signs that a house is in need of plumbing repair? If the water heater is over ten years old or the house is damp, full of rust, and lacking in hot water, then the water heater is likely to be causing problems. If the toilets have trouble flushing or the sinks aren’t working, or if there’s mold, floor discoloration, old water marks, or soft floor tiles around the sink or bathroom, that’s a sign of drainage problems. Similarly, brown stains on the ceiling may indicate a leaky pipe, and unpleasant smells and pools of water around the house may suggest a sewage problem. If a more thorough examination of the home is desired, a professional plumbing examination can be scheduled.
Once the plumbing problem has been identified, the method of solving it will vary wildly. Dripping faucets, slowly draining sinks, unclogging showers, baths, and toilets, low water pressure, jammed garbage disposals, and leaky pipes can usually be repaired at home with the proper tools, while a sewer system backup and a faulty water heater will usually require a professional plumber to repair, and are therefore usually more expensive. Regardless of the price, however, getting plumbing repairs is ultimately cost-efficient, because it prevents expensive water waste and home damage.
