Plumbing problems are not only inconvenient, they can be costly and cause damage to your home. Ignoring these warning signs can lead to major disasters.
Water Stains or Dampness
Unpleasant odors and damp spots are often signs of serious plumbing problems. The underlying issue could be mold or a leaking pipe.
Leaky Pipes
Leaking pipes are a nightmare that can damage your property and lead to expensive water bills. If you notice water leaking from your walls or under your sink, contact a plumber immediately.
Leaks are caused by corrosion of your pipe’s interior, external damage, ageing, or just wear and tear. Your pipes also need to be properly installed and maintained to avoid leaking. Poor workmanship by plumbers, poor materials used in the plumbing system, and environmental factors such as ground shifts can cause your pipes to leak or burst.
Pipes with weak joints are more likely to leak, especially in older properties. The pipe joints are more vulnerable to damage due to their small surface area compared to the rest of the pipeline. They are also more exposed to temperature changes and high water pressure.
A leaking pipe can damage your flooring, furniture, walls, ceilings and other parts of your home, encouraging mould growth, creating uncleanliness and unpleasant smells. It can also increase your water bill significantly and can be a fire hazard as it may contain gas.
If you are not able to call a plumber right away, you can take precautionary measures to reduce the risk of further damage or even flooding. Place a bucket or some rugs under any affected areas to catch the leaking water, and shut off the main water supply.
If your leaking pipe is in a concealed part of the house, you can use a push-fit coupling or repair clamp to close off the damaged area. Choose a size that fits the pipe and tighten the screws evenly to create a good seal. You can also make a temporary repair using rubber or silicone tape, just wrap the area tightly and overlap the layers.
Clogged Drains
If you have a clogged drain that won’t budge with the help of a plunger or drain snake, it might be time to call for professional service. A professional plumber, like the Greensboro plumbers,
will use a video inspection of your pipe system to determine the root cause of the problem and suggest a solution, which could include a sewer line cleaning.
Unlike other plumbing issues, a clogged drain is usually fairly easy to diagnose and fix. Foul odors emanating from a drain are an obvious sign that you have a clog. You can also test the water flow in a sink by running water through one of the drains that is closest to it. If the water moves slowly, it’s likely a clog caused by hair or soap scum.
Another common drain clog culprit is grease, which can coat the walls of pipes and combine with other debris to create tough clogs. A good way to prevent this is to place a drain strainer over all of your kitchen drains and dispose of used cooking oil in a jar or can for recycling.
Some clogs are due to mineral buildup. If your home has hard water, you should install a water softener to reduce these deposits. You can also try pouring boiling water down a drain to dissolve these clogs and allow water to flow freely again.
Most drain clogs are caused by the accumulation of waste, so it’s important to clean up your act in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room. If you’re a new parent, make sure to never flush baby wipes down the toilet. These can clog drains just like toilet paper and can also cause significant damage to older pipe systems.
Broken Shutoff Valve
Every home has a main water shut off valve that can cut off the entire house’s water supply in the event of an emergency. Individual fixtures like toilets, sinks, and water heaters also have shut off valves that can be used to stop the flow of water to a specific fixture. These water shut off valves are a great asset in the case of plumbing repairs or emergencies, but they can create their own problems over time.
One of the most common problems is a broken shut off valve handle that leaks whenever it’s turned on or off. While it may seem daunting to replace the valve, it’s actually a fairly straightforward DIY project for those who are handy enough. First, make sure the new valve will be compatible with your existing pipes by testing it out with a supply valve piggyback. Then, have all of your tools lined up before you start – this project will require that you turn off the water in the whole house, so having everything ready will save you a lot of frustration and wasted time.
A good place to begin is by loosening the packing nut above the valve body and around the stem. This will usually fix the leak as long as you don’t over tighten it. If the leaking doesn’t stop, then it’s probably time to replace the valve itself.
Before you remove the old shut off valve, make sure to have a towel, bucket, and pipe cutter ready. Expect to see a bit of water flow while you’re cutting through the line, but this will likely stop after a few minutes once the pipe is completely cut.
Slow Drains
Drains should quickly whisk water and waste away from sinks, tubs, and showers. But slow drains can indicate that there are problems with your pipes or the overall plumbing system.
Leaving even the smallest drainage issue unattended can lead to a full clog and costly plumbing service fees. Even worse, it can result in waste back-up and serious property damage or even health issues for your family.
The good news is that most drain and pipe problems are relatively easy to fix with some simple home solutions and plumbing advice from a professional plumber. You can try pouring hot or boiling water down the drain to dissolve soap scum, or make your own chemical reaction of baking soda and vinegar (reminiscent of those volcanoes you made in fifth grade). Alternatively, simply cleaning out your garbage disposal filter and taking out any extra strainers can help resolve many sink clogs.
Another common solution is to remove and clean the sink stopper or pop-up. This metal device used to plug the sink on command often catches hair, soap, and debris and slowly builds up until it stops the drain from fully working. A straightened hanger makes a great tool to use for this purpose, and you can also get a drain snake from a hardware store.
Finally, you should be sure to keep waste products like grease, food scraps, cotton swabs, and diapers (yes, even those that claim to be “disposable”) away from your drains. This will prevent most clogs and slow drains. If your drains continue to clog or slow down, a professional plumber can use techniques such as rodding, jetting, and patch lining to solve the problem.
Frozen Pipes
During extreme cold spells, homeowners may experience frozen and burst pipes. This issue can cause water damage to your home and property, resulting in thousands of dollars in repairs. However, you can mitigate the problem by learning how to recognize the signs of a frozen pipe and taking prompt action.
Frozen pipes often occur in unheated areas of your home, such as the attic or crawl space. This is because these areas are not heated, meaning the exposed pipes don’t receive enough warmth to prevent freezing. Pipes located along a poorly insulated exterior wall, in the kitchen and bathroom cabinets, or in garages are also susceptible to freezing.
As the water in your pipes freezes, it expands and puts pressure on the pipes that can result in a burst. This is a major safety concern because if the pipe bursts, it can send water at full force through your home, causing extensive and costly damage.
When you notice a frozen pipe, turn off your water supply and start to warm the area around the affected pipe. Open the cabinet and vanity doors in your kitchen and bathrooms to help warm air reach the pipes. You can also use a hair dryer or space heater to warm the area, but remember to keep these safe heating tools away from any flammable materials.
If you are unable to warm your frozen pipes, shut off the water to the affected area of your house by closing the water valve. Upon shutting off your water, you should call a plumber to repair the frozen pipe before it causes further damage to your property. After your plumber has completed the repair, be sure to clean up the damaged area and use fans and dehumidifiers to help dry the area.