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Plumbing problems are not rare in a household, commercial buildings, or even workspaces. These problems could be a mild disturbance to drastic damages in your business. With this, we should be able to have an immediate solution to the small plumbing problems we could encounter at home. Users of various media platforms upload many DIYs and instructional videos online to give people a walk-through with the basics of plumbing and how to manage simple reoccurring issues of your water pipes, drainage systems, and the likes. 

But before dealing with your plumbing issues and calling your trusted plumbing services provider, you should be able to identify the common plumbing problems that could occur in your home, business place, and commercial areas. This could help you use your best judgment of calling a professional for help or browsing on the internet to give you instructions on how you could do it.

Here are the 8 most common plumbing problems you could encounter: 

1.  Your Faucet Is Dripping

Is the noise of the water dripping from your faucet irritates you through the night? Well, almost all people have encountered this prevalent problem of dripping faucets. But do you need to call a professional to do it? Certainly, it is more advisable to call for plumbing services than inventing your way to fix your faucet. The problem with your faucet is usually caused by a worn-out 0 ring or improper faucet installation. 

You could properly install your faucet to stop its leaking by using a screwdriver to tighten the screw that mounts the handle to the stem, or you could reinstall a new 0 ring if the current 0 ring was the problem. If dripping still occurs, you should call for a professional to fix it, as it could contribute to an increased water bill!

2. Your Pipe Is Leaking 

All people would know that this would be the 2nd on the list. Leaking pipes might be the least of your problems as it was not as grandiose as other plumbing issues you’ve had, but that depends on the position of the leaking pipe. If the pipe was installed inside your houses, especially in big industrial and commercial buildings and establishments, it could cause a great disturbance and even damage other properties inside the infrastructure—not to mention the amount of water leaking pipes could waste, that would cost you a lot of money. 

Luckily, one could deal with leaky pipes easily; but that depends on how big the leak is and what kind of pipe is leaking. Small pipes used at home could be fixed using a sealant if there’s hardly any damage you could observe, but with big industrial ones, you might need to call r most reliable plumbing service provider, and call them fast!

3. Your Drain Is Clogged 

Clogging drains usually occur because the left-over foods washed away while washing the dishes. These small fragments of food could slowly pile into your drainage pipes that could cause clogging.

Remedies like pouring hot water and using pressure to forcefully push the cause of clogging are the most famous myths to handle your drain clog problem. But sometimes, when the cause of clogging was too big and too hard, these remedies won’t be enough to help you. When this happened, contact a plumbing service to unclog your drains for safer and efficient removal. 

4. Your Hose Bibb Is Leaking

The probability of your hose bibb leaking rises during summer and winter. When the temperature rises and falls, so does the temperature of your tap water. This could cause the metal to weaken, which makes it prone to cracks, breakage, and damage- especially when it doesn’t have enough protection to withstand the drastic temperature changes. 

When this occurs, call your plumbing services to repair or replace your damaged hose bibb. Experts also recommend that you use frost-proof hose bibb for a more durable and sustainable hose bibb that could last for years. 

5. Water Heater Problems

A water heater is a necessity in some countries. Water heater problems like its incapacity to provide enough heat could be a total nuisance when taking a bath or even a quick shower. When you have noticed a small problem concerning your water heater, contact the plumbing service immediately, this could save your water heater’s life from more problems and issues. 

6.  Your Toilet Is Clogged

Clogged toilets are usual, especially when there’s a problem with your toilet’s drainage and pumping system. Sometimes, a toilet pump is enough to deal with this problem, but often this could be a band-aid solution to much bigger problems you cannot see. 

For a repetitive problem of your toilet clogging, be sure to seek help from professional plumbers to check for other issues that you might be missing.

7. The Water Pressure Is Low 

Does your faucet produce a small amount of water than before? Maybe the problem was the water pressure. This could be a result of broken and worn-out pipes which are prevalent in old homes and establishments. You might need to replace your pipes with new ones for more efficient and cost-saving purposes. 

If the problem occurs in your shower—build-ups on your aerators might be one of the problems. Try to clean it and see if cleaning these sediments could help. If the problem still occurs, call professionals to check up your shower—maybe you need to repair or replace some materials.

8. Your Toilet Is Running 

Caused by worn-out or damaged flapper valves, your toilet might run- which could cost you a lot in your water bill. In these cases, you have to immediately call for trusted plumbing services to repair your toilet as soon as possible. This would save you money and could potentially control further damage to your toilet. 

While it is good to have basic knowledge in plumbing, such as repairing small damages to your faucet or pipes, it is most advisable to seek for a professional plumbing services provider to address the other underlying plumbing problems you cannot see. So, do not hesitate to call for professionals, as it could potentially save your time, effort, and money!

Winter is a beautiful time of year, but it’s also a time where homeowners should be cognizant of plumbing issues that can arise in the season. As colder temperatures increase substantially, freezing pipes become more of a possibility. 

Frozen pipes can result in a wide variety of long-term plumbing issues. But, that’s not the only issue. Other common cold-weather plumbing dilemmas include: wasting energy, faulty water heaters, and insulation errors. 

Again, every homeowner should be prepared to deal with primary plumbing problems that exist in the winter months. As colder months press on, here are eight essential winter plumbing tips you should be aware of. 

1. Make Sure Outside Water Valves are Turned Off

Water pipes can potentially rupture in freezing temperatures. This can result in a very expensive dilemma that costs more than $15,000. To prevent frozen pipes, turn off all of your outside valves. 

Make sure you locate outside pipes near areas of your home that aren’t insulated. These valves will typically be located around the outer walls of your home. These pipes post an extreme threat of freezing. 

Therefore, they should be covered with towels or foam for the entire winter season. If temperatures drop to below freezing, it’s a great idea to let your faucets drip water slowly. 

Since continuous water flow cannot freeze even in sub-zero temperatures, this will prevent a massive rupture and save you money. 

2. Know Where Your Home’s Main Water Valve Is

Homeowners should know their property like the back of their hand. If you’re a new homeowner or you’re not well-versed in being a DIY handyman, this can be pretty difficult. 

In case a major problem persists, you should at least know where your home’s main water valve is. If a pipe bursts due to cold temperatures, you should immediately locate the main water valve and turn all water off until the problem is fixed.

The main water valve is normally located directly next to the water meter and is always kept in good condition. To keep your main water valve working properly, service it by opening and closing it once each year. 

3. Conserve Energy at a Limit

If you plan on traveling a lot during the winter months, you may be tempted to turn off your heat to save energy. However, turning off your heat for too long can increase the chances of frozen and broken pipes. 

The damage associated with ruptured pipes can get worse depending on if you’re away from home for several days, weeks, or even months and the issue goes unnoticed. To prevent this problem from occurring, keep your home’s temperature no lower than 45F. 

This solution allows you to prevent frozen pipes and save as much money as possible.

4. Make Sure Your Water Heater Works Correctly

Your water heater may be the most important home appliance in the winter months. You should make sure that it’s in an optimal condition to save money and prevent long-term problems. 

If you want to save money on energy costs, don’t set your water heater’s temperature above 125F to eliminate scorching water and excessive energy waste. 

5. Keep Your Kitchen Drains Unclogged

During the holidays, at-home meals become the norm. Later into the winter, home dinners are also the popular option over eating out. The way you dispose of this food can significantly impact your plumbing system. 

For example, oils and fats should never be poured down the sink. These don’t mix with water, can harden, and can contribute to a massive clog. You can instead allow oils and fats to harden in the cooking dish and scape the remains away into the trash bin. 

Also, if you plan to use a garbage disposal, turn it on first and then add the debris you want. After you’re finished, pour plenty of water down the drain to make sure there aren’t any pesky particles still in the drain. 

6. Protect Your Outdoor Drains

Preparing your lawn for the winter can help prevent the negative draining effects of rain and snow. You can do this by removing all debris on your lawn and making sure your downspouts and gutters are working properly. 

During the winter months, these tasks will help protect your outdoor drains and contribute to more efficient drain runoff. 

7. Install Insulation

Preventing ruptured pipes is as simple as installing insulation. Insulating foam is sold at nearly every home improvement store and is very easy to place and install. Make sure an entire pipe is covered in insulation to the point where it emerges from the main water line to the point where it enters your home. 

Make sure to insulate the outdoor pipes in unheated basements and attics. If you can’t perform this type of work, call a licensed plumber instead. 

8. Hire a Plumber for Maintenance

Ultimately, timely maintenance is one of the best ways to make sure that your plumbing systems are working properly. Also, a licensed plumber can perform this handiwork to protect these systems and save you money in the long run. 

By hiring a plumber, you can receive an itemized work order that will detail all of the maintenance work they will do to prevent widespread plumbing issues. 

Hire a Licensed Plumber Today!

Do you need winter maintenance for your plumbing systems? If so, click here to learn more about our residential plumbing services. You can also click here to request a booking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do you have any questions about winter plumbing issues? If so, please refer to these FAQs below. 

How do I winterize my water pipes?

• Winterizing your water pumps involves blowing excess water from the pipes among other essential tasks. You should contact a licensed plumber to make sure this is done properly. 

Is it safe to put antifreeze in pipes?

• You should not put antifreeze in your pipes as a means of insulation. This can damage your plumbing system. 

Will pouring hot water down the drain unfreeze pipes?

• You can remedy pipes that are freezing by pouring salt and hot water down the drains. If your pipes are frozen, then you may need to contact a plumber to rectify the issue.