5 Common Plumbing Issues (and how to fix them)
August 17, 2017This is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine alone. This post is provided for informational purposes only. It is recommended that you consult a licensed plumber to handle any plumbing issues that arise in your home.
Many homeowners have experienced an occasional leaky faucet or a shower that doesn’t drain properly. Did you know that some of these problems may be easily fixed in under an hour? Learn about some of the most common plumbing problems, as well as how to repair them.
5 Common Plumbing Issues (and how to fix them)
5 Common Plumbing Issues (and how to fix them)
1. Dripping Faucet
Ever heard the annoying drip-drip-drip sound of a leaking faucet? It’s a fairly common plumbing problem that most homeowners will face at one point or another. The slow trickle of water can actually add up to a large water bill at the end of the month. Luckily, the problem may be an easy one to fix. If your faucet washer has become stiff or torn, simply replacing it may solve the problem. If the issue is a worn valve seat or if you have a non-standard faucet installation, the repair is best left to a professional.
2. Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure is a very popular complaint of homeowners around the country. If the pressure is low, check the aerator first. It may have developed calcium deposits, which built up over time and negatively affected the pressure. Replacing the aerator is a simple fix- simply visit a home improvement store and find a new one that is a perfect match. Alternatively, you may be able to clean out any debris from the old aerator and put it right back into the faucet. Of course, if the problem goes beyond a clogged aerator, it is best to consult a licensed plumber.
5 Common Plumbing Issues (and how to fix them)
3. Leaky Pipes
We have had our share of leaky pipes. We had a leak in the AC condensate line at our old home (the townhouse), which subsequently caused thousands of dollars of damages. In our years of homeownership, we have also experienced many leaks at various plumbing joints under the sink. We have fixed many of these leaks ourselves, by replacing the fitting and/or adding a strip of plumbing tape. However, if you are not comfortable with plumbing repairs, or if a major appliance like the water heater is leaking, it is best to consult a licensed plumber.
5 Common Plumbing Issues (and how to fix them)
4. Clogged Drain
If your sink or shower drain is clogged, you may notice water pooling at the bottom. You can use a plunger (it takes advantage of air pressure changes to dislodge a clog) to get the drain moving more quickly again. For many homes, a commercial drain cleaner is typically safe but it still shouldn’t be used too frequently. You can also try a snake trap to pull out any hair that may be the cause of the clog. If your drain clogs don’t respond to conservative treatment, then it is best to call a pro.
5. Stuck Garbage Disposal
In our previous residence, we never had a garbage disposal. In our current house, we have one and use it often. However, we did once get it jammed pretty significantly. Fortunately, it was an easy fix. If you kept the special key that came with the disposal, then you’re ahead of the game. If you didn’t, simply use an 1/4″ Allen wrench to gently rotate the disposal and get rid of the jam – turn the wrench in both directions to loosen the jam. If this doesn’t quickly fix the problem, call in a pro.
We have done our fair share of plumbing projects like when we removed the toilet and when we removed the sink. We are pretty adventurous when it comes to DIY repairs but we certainly have a local plumber that we hire for more significant issues.
Now, I’d love to hear from you. Have you ever experienced any of these common plumbing issues? Did you call in a pro to help fix the problem?
We always call in the professionals ‘cept for that one time when our DIY went totally wrong. Lesson learned. These are great tips to use before calling in the professional, especially the stuck garbage disposal. I used to wonder why that allen wrench was on the side of it. Mystery solved. *smile*
I am so lucky to have a husband who has fixed every single one of these plumbing problems at one point or another. Great tips to save money and do it yourself.
I can’t stand to hear water dripping! My plumbing works really well except for the occasional drain getting a little clogged in the shower. A plunger always gets it going again.
I love that you give ideas on how to fix the plumbing problems. Right now our problem is the garbage disposal and I am hoping that we can replace it soon.
I am going to have to save this post for later when I come across one of these issues (as it is bound to happen) and it is great to know how to fix it myself.
I luck out because my husband is an all around handy guy. He can do just about anything in our house. And my father has worked with plumbing most of his life, so he’s pretty helpful too!
I am so lucky that I have a husband who literally knows how to do EVERYTHING – so um, he can fix ALL plumping issues. I remember the first time…. MY TOILET WAS CLOGGED and I really needed his help (to be fair, I really think HE was the one who clogged it)….. And I had to ask him – we were just friends (with benefits?) at the time…. So it was like ER UM…. Butttt to I just brushed that aside and pretend to give NO Fs LOL!
Nothing drives me more crazy that low water pressure. How does one even wash their hair with low water pressure?
We dealt with low water pressure for a while and it was the aerator. It was a really simple fix for sure.
Very helpful thank you! My husband is usually able to fix most plumbing issues but he works a lot and is not always home. This will be bookmarked for my needs if I run into issues.
I like how you kept it simple for people like me haha!
Great tips to keep handy. Currently, we rent until next year when we purchase a home. These tips will come in handy when we are responsible for it all ourselves.
This actually comes at a really handy time because I noticed our faucet was leaky. I’m not very handy when it comes to housework like repairs, but I’ve gotta try!
Ah, this is incredibly helpful. We’ve had quite a few problems with leaky pipes in different houses we’ve lived in.
I always try to fix things myself before I call the professionals. Low water pressure is one of our issued in our new house.
It helps to be able to know how to fix things around the house. We get a lot of hair in our drains between myself and my 2 girls 🙂
I normally just call my landlord to have most issues fixed by a plumber except for blocked drainage which I try commercial products and see if that doesn’t work first
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I have no knowledge about plumbing issues and how to fix them so these is really helpful. My husband hates working on plumbing problems.
These are great tips! Definitely common mishaps – it’s great to know that you don’t have to call the plumber EVERY time – haha! Great fixes – they seem fairly simple too!