Plumbing Problems Explained

When it comes to the aqua-skeleton of your home, it is certainly beneficial to gain some basic knowledge of its functioning and what can cause malfunctions. Not only can this help to avoid such malfunctions, but also to help direct a plumber as to the cause of the issue so he knows how best to approach the situation at hand. That being said, here are some of the most common plumbing problems, explained:

Leaky Faucet

Probably the most common plumbing problem is the leaky faucet. A dripping tap is something which can gradually creep up on us all until we suddenly notice how much water is erroneously, quite literally, going down the drain. This is usually caused by either a worn washer, which can simply be changed by a plumber, or the valve seating which can become weathered over time. If you do come across this, it’s rarely something to worry about and a fairly simple fix. However, if left, it can become a bigger problem with the leaking potentially causing issues elsewhere.

Clogged Drains

This issue probably takes joint first place with a leaky tap – the clogged drain. The dreaded detection of a full basin which refuses to purge, or the rising water in the shower pan, creating an unwanted paddling pool for your feet as you bathe. Again, this is a fairly straightforward issue and is easy to avoid once you are know-how. Clogged drains are caused by incongruous materials being discarded of down said drains. For example:

• Food waste
• Fats, oils, and grease
• Makeup wipes/baby wipes
• Sanitary products
• Hair

Food waste should only be put in a waste disposal unit, whether in a traditional bin or a built-in disposal unit in your sink. Even when using sink disposal, check with the installer which food waste is appropriate for that disposal unit. Fats, oils, and grease are of the same ilk here, only dispose of these in the appropriate units – otherwise, these substances stick to the pipes and become increasingly viscose, causing a build up which other waste sticks to, resulting in blockages. Some people think to make up wipes, sanitary products and such like can be flushed down the toilet but this is unfortunately inaccurate. Hair is a common blockage issue in showers, when it becomes wet it packs down into dense bundles which can accumulate and cause an impasse. Simply clear the plug area of hair around the shower to avoid this and prevent build-ups. A lot of issues are usually created in people bathrooms or wetrooms.

Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure is a little more complex as its causes can vary from clogged pipes, crimped waterlines, malfunctioning valves, and water meter allocation issues. Aside from generally maintaining your pipes and avoiding mistreating them, there’s not a great deal you can do, plumbers, however, have plenty of experience in this area and can usually diagnose and sort the issue fairly swiftly.