If you own a home, it’s inevitable that at some point something will go wrong with the plumbing. This is especially true if you live in a house that’s more than 50 years old. Even newer construction is bound to have some plumbing issues sooner or later. Fortunately, many of these issues can be resolved by a plumber. However, not all plumbing problems require a professional. Some issues are simple enough to fix yourself if you know what to look for. Here is a list of some common plumbing repairs:
One of the most common plumbing issues is a clogged drain. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including hair, soap scum, food scraps and other organic matter. It’ll typically manifest as a slowing of the water flow, or even a complete blockage. If left untreated, a clogged drain can cause flooding or damage to surrounding walls. To resolve this issue, you’ll need to clear out the clog. There are a few methods you can try, depending on the severity of the clog. First, you can try plunging the drain, which involves plunging it with a plunger. This is a simple and inexpensive way to clear most clogs. Alternatively, you can try using a snake. A plumber-grade snake is effective at clearing most clogs, but again, it’s best to do this in a controlled manner. If the clog is particularly stubborn, you may need to call in a plumber to use a drain cleaning machine.
Water leaks are another common plumbing issue. These can occur anywhere in your home, including the roof, walls, floors and appliances. To start, you’ll want to check for any visible leaks. This can be as simple as looking under the sink for drips, or looking for water stains on the walls or floors. If you find a potential source for the leak, you’ll want to determine what’s causing it. This can be tricky, but there are a few things you can do. First, you’ll want to shut off the main water supply to the house. This can be done by either turning off the main valve or shutting off the water meter. Once you’ve done this, you can inspect the plumbing and appliances in the house to see if you can find a leak. If you can’t find the source, you’ll want to shut off the water supply to the affected area. This can be done by shutting off the supply valve under the sink, or shutting off the water supply to the appliance in question.
One of the most common plumbing issues is leaking appliances. Appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and hot water heaters are notorious for leaking. This can occur for a variety of reasons, including corrosion, faulty parts and age-related issues. If you suspect that your appliance is leaking, the first step is to shut off the water supply to the appliance. This can be done by shutting off the water supply to the house, or shutting off the supply valve under the sink. Once you’ve done this, you’ll want to inspect the appliance to see if you can find the source of the leak. If you can’t find the source, you may need to call in a plumber to repair or replace the appliance. If you’re sure the appliance is leaking, you can shut off the water supply, then repair the appliance. This will help prevent further damage and save you money in the long run.
Burst pipes are one of the most dangerous plumbing issues. If left untreated, a burst pipe can cause significant damage to your home, and even lead to injury or death. To avoid this, you’ll want to be sure to have your pipes regularly inspected and repaired. This can be done by hiring a professional plumber to inspect your pipes once a year. If you have an older home with cast iron pipes, you may want to have these pipes inspected and possibly replaced more frequently. If you have a burst pipe, you’ll want to shut off the water supply to the house as quickly as possible. This can be done by shutting off the water supply to the house, or shutting off the supply valve under the sink. Once you’ve shut off the water supply, you’ll want to locate the source of the leak. This can be tricky, but there are a few things you can do. First, you’ll want to look for water damage to the walls and floors. This is an indication that the pipe is leaking directly onto the floor or walls, which means it’s probably in the crawl space. To locate the source of the leak, you’ll want to get down on your hands and knees and inspect the floor and walls for drips. If you find a potential source for the leak, you’ll want to shut off the water supply to the pipe in question. This can be done by shutting off the water supply to the house, or shutting off the supply valve under the sink. Once you’ve shut off the water supply, you’ll want to repair the pipe as soon as possible. This can be tricky, but there are a few things you can do. First, you’ll want to use a rubber hose to try to stop the flow of water. You can also try to repair the pipe by installing a pipe sleeve. This is a plastic sleeve that is placed inside the pipe to protect it from leaks and bursts. Once you’ve repaired the pipe, you can re-open the water supply.
Plumbing issues can happen at any time, but they can be avoided with routine maintenance and the right tools. If you’re not sure whether a certain issue requires a plumber, check out our list of common plumbing repairs. If you’ve discovered a plumbing issue in your home, it’s best to call a plumber to fix it as soon as possible. This will help prevent further damage and save you money in the long run.