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Nearly every homeowner and renter has the basic resources to handle minor plumbing emergencies. Sometimes, all it takes to get a toilet or drain to work properly is a bit of elbow grease and a plunger. You can usually fix small repairs around the house if you are handy, such as replacing a drain cover or changing a worn washer.

However, professional assistance is required for larger plumbing repairs. It is possible to cause more problems by trying to fix common problems like slow drains and leaking toilets.

Plumbing maintenance

Regular maintenance is one way to avoid costly repairs to your home. A thorough inspection of your plumbing is key to identifying small issues before they become major problems.

Hidden leaks in drains and under-water heaters can be more than a nuisance. They can lead to structural damage over time. Mold growth can be caused by water seeping into plaster or sheetrock. When wet, porous tile and wood flooring can warp or discolor.

Routine DIY Maintenance Tasks

Routine maintenance tasks can be done easily at home. A routine inspection is the cornerstone of any maintenance plan. Even though you may be using your tubs and sinks every day, you won’t notice minor problems if you don’t schedule time for an inspection. Take a look at the plumbing in your house.

Check for moisture signs in all pipes exposed, including those under sinks or supporting bathrooms tanks. Some condensation can form on a cold metal pipe during humid days. If the home is cooler, note any dampness and inspect the pipes again.

Check for signs of corrosion on brass and copper fittings. Rust is more common on damp metals so connections that are corroded could indicate a slow leak.

To monitor water pressure, switch water faucets in showers, sinks, and showers. Although there may be some variation in the faucet functions and fashions, all must have a constant flow. After you have examined the faucet, observe how quickly the water drains. Slow drains could indicate a blockage. While you are doing your rounds, flush the toilets to ensure they don’t leak at their base. This could indicate a defective wax seal.

Professional Inspections

A certified Long Beach plumber will inspect your home and take a closer look at the plumbing and drains. The inspector will inspect the water heater, garbage disposal, and all areas of your home’s plumbing systems. Remote video inspections of plumbing, lead testing, and filter system inspections are possible.

Make an appointment

After thorough inspection, clean and remove aerators from faucets and shower-heads. Water flow can be slowed by sediment. Your plumber can take care of these steps and many others if you choose professional plumbing maintenance. A licensed plumber can do the following maintenance tasks:

  • Drain treatment to increase flow rate
  • Water heaters and garbage disposals should be cleaned
  • Hairline leaks can be detected by stress testing
  • Adjustment and assessment of water pressure
  • Common Plumbing Repair Jobs

Even the most thorough plumbing inspection will not find every clog or leak, particularly in older homes. High water tables in Long Beach, CA can also lead to septic system problems that can impact drains and toilets. These common problems have many solutions.

Dripping Faucets

You’ve probably experienced the frustration of a constantly leaking faucet, or tried to fall asleep while it spewed water into your bedroom. Your water bill will go up if your faucet leaks. One faucet can leak hundreds of gallons each year, one drop at a.m.

The plumbing pressure is enough to force water into your home. Rubber or silicone-based washers that are made of rubber form a watertight seal to prevent water from leaking through the pipes.

Washers can become stiff, torn, or dislodged over time. This allows water to trickle in the washer, creating an annoying trickle. Although you can replace washers yourself without any special tools, it can be more difficult than you would expect. If the leak persists for a long time, the valve seat could have become worn or corroded. This requires a more complex repair that should be done by a professional plumber.

Some sinks do not have washers that can stop water from flowing. Ceramic taps (also known as disc or canister taps) are made of ceramic plates that fit together to create a seal. Ceramic taps require less maintenance than rubber washers but the repairs are more difficult than simple washer replacements. A ceramic disc or canister tap is recommended if you have a lever-operated bathtub or sink instead of one with separate knobs.

Low water stress

Reduced water pressure is indicated by water that does not gush but just drips from the tap. This problem may not be due to your plumbing but the municipal water supply. Although it is uncommon, a break in the main line may temporarily lower your water pressure. This issue can be caused by a buildup of sediment or residue in faucet aerators.

Dissolved minerals are found in water that enters your plumbing system and eventually settle on metal surfaces. These minerals are removed by a filtration system. If there is no such method, the residue will be filtered out and re-filtered. Without such a system, mineral deposits can build up on the interior of shower heads and aerators, slowing down flow and clogging screens.

The majority of kitchen faucets are now free from aerators. Simply unscrew the faucet’s tip for cleaning.

The calcium residue found in Florida’s water supplies can be removed by taking the aerator off and soaking it in vinegar overnight. You may need to remove bathroom faucets and shower heads, but it is possible to attach a vinegar-filled plastic bag to the shower head to make it easy to clean.

Low water pressure may be a sign of a more complex problem. Leakage or a breach in the plumbing that leads into your home can cause serious damage to your foundation or infrastructure. A sudden and substantial drop in water pressure without any known cause is a sign that you should call a licensed plumber who can diagnose the problem.

Running Toilet

You may have had enough of trying to get your toilet to flush after every flush. It might be time to replace the internal parts. Toilets can stop working if the flapper valve, which allows water to flow from the tank into its bowl, is not fitted properly, the fill tube is loose or the float is out of balance. Toilet repair kits are available for most models and require minimal effort.

Bathrooms can sometimes be flooded for other reasons. You may have sediment if you haven’t replaced the fill tube, flapper, and float apparatus. This could affect proper flushing and filling. A silent leak could also be indicated by higher water bills.

Add a few drops food coloring to the top tank. Wait 15 to 20 minutes. If you notice any color in the bowl, it is possible that your flapper valve has stopped working as it should.

Leaky Pipes

Leaks can cause serious problems, whether you find a puddle underneath a pipe or discover a surprise under your sink. Joint leaks are common and can be costly. This is why you will find a lot of commercial joint fillers and fitting compound shelves at your local hardware store. These products can be used temporarily, but a permanent repair might require the replacement of a length or fittings.

While replacing a U-joint that leaks below your sink is not difficult, it can be messy. To save time and reduce the cleanup, you may need to have someone else handle it. Use a compression clamp, a rubber sheet or leak tap until the plumber can find the leak. These temporary fixes prevent water from spraying, but can be easily removed when you need a permanent solution.

Slow Drains or Blockages

If the water from your sink, toilet, or tub doesn’t flow out, it is likely that you have a partial or complete clog. Your handy plunger will often fix the problem. Although plungers can remove a blockage using air pressure, they are not able to completely eliminate the problem.

Although they are safe for most drains, commercial drain cleaners and drain clog eliminators can cause damage to some pipes if they are used too often. It is time to contact a Long Beach plumber if you have clogs every day.

Even if there isn’t a large clog, debris from the plumbing can slow down drainage and make it a trickle. Use a flashlight to illuminate the drain to identify the problem. You might be able reach the problem with a pair of pliers, tweezers, or a jar cap or other debris. Drain screens can be installed to prevent debris from reaching the drains.

Do-It-Yourself Plumbing Repair Tips

Switch off the main water supply before you start any repairs. Don’t be surprised if you get wet. Plumbing maintenance and repair can be dangerous even if you are careful. Measure twice, cut twice applies to plumbing, washers, and other fittings. To ensure that you are purchasing the correct product, you should take the parts you need to be repaired to the hardware store whenever possible.

Keep the number of a Long Beach plumber handy. Although you may not need the money, if you do have a geyser in your kitchen and can snap off a valve, you will be happy you had it nearby.

Long Beach Plumbers: When should you call?

Some problems are too difficult or dangerous to be tackled alone. For your safety and your home’s integrity, you should hire a Bradenton plumber.

New plumbing, sinks and tubs
Construction of a new structure is required
Leakage from a septic tank
Leakage or breakage of sewer lines