Good plumbing is easy to take for granted, but when something goes wrong, you soon know about it. It could be your drains are clogged, the HVAC has stopped working, or your shower is leaking. And when it needs fixing, it usually needs fixing now. Some plumbing problems are more serious than others, but all are worth your immediate attention for your peace of mind and your budget.
Common Plumbing Problems
Consumer Checkbook gives a breakdown on the most common problems you are likely to encounter with home plumbing.
- Water hammer: an annoying banging from your pipes, which is caused by the water flow suddenly stopping and the water crashing into a valve. Other causes of noisy pipes are normal water flow, fixings coming loose, and temperature changes. If you’re worried, a plumber can usually locate the cause.
- Clogs and blockages: drainpipes must slope slightly to help rainwater flow quickly and wash away debris. If the slope is too flat, clogs can occur. Blocked sinks, basins, showers, tubs, and toilets usually result when inappropriate material is deposited in them.
- Leaks: toilet, sink, and other fixture water traps and pipes may leak due to age or because they were not properly tightened.
Hidden Dangers
You may not notice certain dangerous problems with your plumbing. A professional can check your home to find out if it is at risk.
- Poor ventilation: water heaters and furnaces must have adequate ventilation to avoid dangerous gases building up in your home. Your family is at risk if a chimney or vent is clogged or doesn’t have a strong draft, and if the room that contains the heater or furnace has little or no ventilation.
- No grounding: replacing steel water pipes with plastic ones removes the electrical grounding a home. If there is an electrical fault or your house is hit by lightning, the electricity has nowhere to go, leaving your family in danger of electrocution.
- No fire shield: when a water heater flue has no fire-resistant shield, any nearby combustible material can catch fire.
- Poor seals: several pipes leave your house through the outer walls, and if the holes aren’t properly sealed, rain and moisture can leak inside and cause damp and mold.
Avoiding Plumbing Issues
Popular Mechanics explains how to avoid or fix simple plumbing errors.
- Retained disposal plug: after fitting a garbage disposal, remove the disposal plug if the unit is connected to a dishwasher, or water will leak everywhere.
- Construction materials: don’t pour materials left over from your construction project down the sink. The materials can harden and clog the pipes.
- Incorrect appliance use: don’t hang heavy racks from your shower fitting or heavily crank faucet handles. Also, don’t turn on a new water heater until it is full.
Plumbing problems are annoying at best, but at worst they can be dangerous. Treat your appliances kindly to get the best use from them and if you are concerned about your plumbing, book a professional inspection.
For answers to your questions, contact the Pink Plumber today.
