Nearly every homeowner and renter has the basic resources to handle minor plumbing emergencies. Sometimes, a slow drain or clogged toilet may only require some elbow grease and a plunger in order to work as intended. You can usually fix a small problem around the house like changing a washer or replacing a drain cover if you’re handy.
But, larger plumbing repair jobs require professional attention. 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 catching problems early, before they become serious.
Hidden leaks in the sink drains and under water heaters can be more than a nuisance. They can also cause 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.
Do-it-Yourself Maintenance Tasks
Routine maintenance tasks can be done easily at home. A routine inspection is an essential part of any maintenance plan. Even though you may use your tubs and sinks every day, you may not be able to spot minor problems if you don’t schedule time for an inspection. Take a look at the plumbing in your house.
Check for moisture in all pipes exposed, including under sinks and tanks supporting bathrooms. Some condensation can occur on cold metal pipes when it is humid. If the home is cooler, note any dampness and recheck the pipes.
Check for signs of corrosion on brass and aluminum fittings. Rust is more common on damp metals so it’s possible to find a slow leak.
To monitor water pressure, turn on the water faucets at sinks, showers, and baths. Although there may be slight differences between faucet functions and styles, all should have steady water flow. After inspecting the faucet, observe how quickly the water drains. Slow drains could indicate a blockage. While you are checking out the faucets, flush them to ensure they don’t leak or run at their base. This could indicate a defective wax seal.
Professional Inspections
A Long Beach plumber can inspect your home and provide a detailed inspection. The inspector will inspect your water heater, garbage disposal, and all areas of the home’s plumbing system. Remote video inspections of the plumbing system, lead testing and inspections of filter systems are possible.
Make an appointment
After thorough inspection, clean and remove aerators from faucets and showerheads. Sediment buildup can slow down water flow. Your plumber will handle this and other maintenance if you choose to have professional plumbing work done. A licensed plumber can also perform 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 meticulous plumbing maintenance inspection will not stop the occasional leak or clog, especially 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 common solutions.
Dripping Faucets
If you’ve ever tried to fall asleep while a leaking faucet was in your next room, or struggled with a kitchen sink that wouldn’t stop, then you know how frustrating this issue can be. Your water bill will go up if your faucet is leaking. One faucet can send thousands of gallons of water down your drains each year, one drop at a.
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 stiffer, torn, or dislodged over time. This allows water to trickle down and creates that annoying drip. 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 stop water from flowing. Ceramic taps (also known as disc or canister taps) use ceramic plates that are durable and fit together to form an seal. Ceramic taps require less maintenance than rubber washers but the repairs are more difficult than simple washer replacements. A ceramic disc or canister faucet is recommended for you if you have a lever-operated bathtub or sink instead of one that has separate knobs.
Low water pressure
Low water pressure is when water does not gush but only drips from the tap. Low water pressure may not be due to your plumbing but the municipal water supply. Although it is uncommon, a break in the main line can temporarily lower your water pressure. This problem can also be caused by a buildup of sediment or residue on 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 system, the residue will be filtered out and re-filtered. Without one, mineral deposits build up on the interior surfaces 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 off the aerator, and then soaking it in vinegar overnight. Bathroom faucets and shower heads may be more difficult to remove. However, you can attach a plastic bag with vinegar to the showerhead overnight to clean it.
Low water pressure may be a sign of a more complex problem. Leakage or cracking of pipes that lead to 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 to determine the root cause.
Running Toilet
You may get bored of trying to control the bathroom’s flushing by adjusting the handle. Toilets usually stop working when 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. Most models can be repaired with a kit that is easy to install.
Toilets sometimes run for more complex reasons. You may have sediment if you haven’t replaced the flapper or float apparatus, as 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 to detect a leaky bathroom. 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 under a pipe or discover one when you look under your sink. Joint leaks are common, so commercial joint fillers or fitting substances take up a lot of space in your local hardware store. These products are temporary fixes, but a permanent repair might require the replacement of a length or fitting.
While replacing a leaky U joint under your sink is not difficult, it can be messy. To save time and effort, you might want to hire a professional to handle the job. Use a compression clamp, a rubber sheet or leak tap until the plumber can reach your leak. These temporary fixes prevent water spraying, but can be easily removed when you need a permanent solution.
Slow Drainage or Blockage
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 clogs using air pressure, they are not able to completely eliminate them.
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 complete clog, debris and plumbing can slow down drainage to a trickle. Try shining a flashlight down the drain to see if the problem is there. You may be able reach the problem with a pair of pliers, tweezers, or even a bottle cap. Drain screens can be installed to prevent debris from getting into your 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. It is a good rule of thumb to measure twice and cut one time for plumbing, washers, and other fittings. To ensure you are buying the best product, bring the parts that need to be replaced with you to the hardware store whenever possible.
A Long Beach plumber’s contact number is handy. Although you may not need the entire amount, if you do snap off a valve or have a geyser in the kitchen, you will be glad that 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 are installed
- Problems with water heaters
- Construction permits are required for new construction
- Leakage from a septic tank
- Leakage or breakage of sewer lines