Plumbing issues can range from minor to serious, and they can be costly. Don’t let them disrupt your life and eat up your bank account.
Learn about the most common plumbing problems and what you can do to fix them yourself. It will help you avoid a costly repair bill and keep your home in good condition.
Clogged Drains
When you have a clogged drain, it means that water backs up instead of flowing out as it should. It happens when something — such as hair, soap, or sludge — gets stuck in the pipes.
Fortunately, most clogs can be cleared with basic DIY techniques. A plunger, dish soap, and baking soda are all effective tools for clearing the clogs that cause backed-up sinks, baths, and showers.
If the problem is more severe, you can try chemical clog removers like Liquid-Plumr. But these chemicals can damage your pipes and eat away at the metal, making it more difficult to clear the clog.
For a more DIY approach, you can mix one cup of baking soda with half a cup of salt and pour the mixture down your drain. Then, run hot water to flush the drain. Repeat this process until the clog has cleared. If you cannot unblock them on your own, a plumber can help relieve blocked drains in Adelaide for you.
Leaky Pipes
A common plumbing issue that most homeowners face is leaky pipes. This problem can cause significant water damage to your home if left unchecked.
A leaky pipe can also encourage the growth of unwanted mold and bugs in your home. It can also create wastewater that can pose a health risk to your family.
To prevent leaks in the first place, you should make sure that your pipes are installed properly. This involves ensuring that your pipes are sealed with a pipe sealant that will keep water from leaking out of them.
If you’re not confident in your ability to repair your pipes on your own, it is best to call a professional plumber. They can fix leaky pipes in a variety of ways, including sealing them with epoxy putty or replacing them altogether.
Water Heater Issues
Water heaters are complicated devices that can be dangerous if not handled correctly, so it’s important to have them checked out by a professional.
If your water is not hot enough, it could be an issue with the heating elements or thermostat, a crossed connection between hot and cold connections or a faulty gas
valve. Using a multimeter, check the thermocouple, burner orifices and vent to determine what’s causing the problem.
Similarly, if the pilot light doesn’t burn, this may be caused by a faulty gas control or burner assembly, which will need to be replaced. In either case, a plumber should be called to repair the problem.
Sewer Backup
A common plumbing issue is a sewer backup, which happens when wastewater backs up into your home. The sewage can cause serious health issues, especially if you have children or pets.
There are a few things you can do to keep your septic system from causing sewer backups. Whether it’s preventative measures you can take, quick fixes you can employ yourself or knowing when to call in the professionals, there are ways to keep your house safe from a sewer backup.
Sewer blockages are caused by a variety of problems, such as household materials, roots infiltrating sewer pipes or excess rainwater. These blockages may not be noticeable at first, but they will eventually lead to bigger problems.
