10 Common Plumbing Problems & How to Fix Them
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Our plumbing systems are great when everything is working well. When we open taps, we get water at the right pressure. We walk into a shower with good temperature or pressure or can even run a bath easily. Our home feels great to be in. However, when we have leaks, or the kitchen sink drains slowly it feels like our lives have been completely destabilized. Here we detail the 10 common plumbing problems homeowners report and how to mitigate or fix them. Leaks Water leaks from taps, pipes and toilets can be frustrating to deal with. If these leaks are not resolved quickly they can lead to longer term damage to the property. The flooring in the property could be destroyed or the property could have damp and mould issues. It is advisable to deal with water leaks as soon as possible. Call a qualified plumber quickly to resolve water leaks. Always have a maintenance programme to check your plumbing systems at least once a year. Water pressure Low water pressure can happen for a variety of reasons. It could be from the water supply company which means everyone living in your area will have the same experience. It could also be due to a weak water pump, clogged pipes, the time of the day and the associated level of demand (higher demand for water in mornings and evenings) or if your property is on a hill or flat surface. It is important to do an initial diagnosis to see what may be causing the problem. Speak to neighbours asking them about their experience, scan the area for burst pipes or check your property if there are any issues. If the problem is common in the area, then speak to the water supply company otherwise call a qualified plumber to do a thorough investigation. Noisy Pipes The main reasons for noisy pipes are
As soon as you hear these noises, something is wrong. Call a qualified company to address the issue. Cold and hot water temperatures Sometimes the water is either too cold or not warm enough. Cold water pipes should have temperatures between 20◦C and 25◦C. This temperature should not be exceeded. Hot water should be stored at 60◦C and should be distributed at 50◦C at the bear minimum. A range between the latter and former should be okay. If the water is too hot it could lead to burns and scalding. The use of thermostatic mixing valves (TMV) with taps or showers will limit the risks of burns and scalding. A qualified plumber will advise on this and the TMV should be maintained and tested regularly. Clogged Pipes Clogged pipes in bathroom result from hair and skin. Clogged pipes in the toilets may result from non-tissue items flushed down the toilet drains. Clogged pipes from the kitchen sink may result from grease and food particles. Clogged pipes can also result from rust on metal pipes. Adequate daily preventive measures could mitigate a lot of the clogged pipe issues in our homes. Limit the amount of air and skin going into the bathroom drains. Do not flush non tissue items down the drains. If you use toilet wet wipes check that they are flushable. Dispose of grease and food particles in bins and not down the kitchen drains. Blocked Drains Blocked drains are connected to clogged pipes if inappropriate items are passed down the drains. It is always advisable to have regular checks by a qualified plumber to avoid the drains being blocked. Slow draining sink If the pipes are clogged and the water ways are blocked, then water will drain very slowly. Again, preventive measures highlighted above (under clogged pipes) should be adopted to limit this situation. Keep drains clear at all times for water passage only. Dripping Taps This costs most households a lot of money every year. According to studies, most homes could save over £18 a year if they avoided dripping taps. Dripping taps may happen if they are not closed properly or the taps are faulty due to wear and tear. Also installing cheap or inferior taps costs more in the long run. Always shut taps properly and replace taps that are old or have suffered wear and tear. Broken Toilet Cistern This could be as a result of cracks or attempts at fixing the cistern by someone that is unqualified. This is common among touch button flushing systems used in most modern homes. It could be due to age or wear and tear. In addition, it is common when replacing the tank lid of the cistern to crack it by accident. The advice is to be careful with these products and call on a professional to fix them if there are any issues rather than going down the DIY route. Running Toilet The major cause of running toilets is the overflow water leaking down the bowl from the tank through the overflow tube. This can happen when there is too much water in the tank, or the water level height cannot be adjusted. Common reasons for this happening include a broken flush valve, leaky fill valve, faulty overflow valve or a disconnected handle. The toilet flushing system is frequently used in the house and is easily subject to wear and tear. It is important that you do not install inferior water cisterns with a non-durable flusher. These break easily and result in more running costs. When you have a running toilet close off the water supply to the toilet from the mains and empty the tank. Call a qualified plumber to fix the toilet system. Regular maintenance, checks to taps and pipes and using the drains as prescribed can save us a lot of headaches and money as well. However, if you have any of the situations listed above try not to deal with it on your own and cause my problems. Call a qualified plumber. |
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