10 Common Plumbing Problems and How to Fix Them
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10 Common Plumbing Problems and How to Fix Them

ByLizbeth Andaya

Part of being a homeowner is dealing with various problems and mishaps that can occur at home. Among the most common problems homeowners face are issues that relate to the house’s plumbing system. The home’s plumbing system can malfunction at any time, and no household is exempt from such troubles. Plumbing issues can range from minor ones, such as a leaky faucet or clogged toilet, which can be readily addressed with a DIY and do not necessarily require hiring a professional plumber, to more severe cases of pipe leaks and sewer backups.

Unfortunately, many of us still neglect to care for our plumbing fixtures properly. We only realize and pay attention to the problem when a major catastrophe finally unfolds, and it’s almost too late to repair the damage to most of our property and belongings at home.

Significance of a Plumbing System

Plumbing systems play a crucial role in supplying clean water and effectively disposing of waste, which helps maintain public health and sanitation. In the past, the absence of proper plumbing led to poor sanitary conditions, widespread disease, and reduced life expectancy. Plumbing supports daily activities like cooking, cleaning, and bathing while promoting water conservation and environmental sustainability. A well-maintained plumbing system protects communities from waterborne illnesses and improves overall quality of life, making it a critical part of modern infrastructure.

Common Plumbing Problems to Watch Out For

Since plumbing maintenance is an integral part of homeownership, people in the household must be aware of the common plumbing problems they will encounter at home and how they can fix or prevent them without having to call a licensed plumber. Here are the issues that are most likely to occur in the house and some plumbing work you can do to help fix them:

1. Dripping faucets 

Dripping Faucets
  1. This is a normal malfunction that every homeowner may witness in the home, yet no matter how small the leak is, one needs to resolve a leaky faucet before the leak turns into a larger one. Admittedly, having a dripping faucet can be pretty annoying. Besides the irritating tapping sounds that go with the constant dripping, this problem causes water wastage and thus increases your water bills. Good thing, dripping faucets are something you can fix with a DIY method as long as you have the tools and the basic knowledge on disassembling and reassembling the faucet and replacing the defective parts of the faucet that cause the leaks. The following are basic steps to fix the problem:
  1. Turning off the water supply to the faucet
  2. Disassembling the handles of the dripping faucet
  3. Removing the cartridge or valve stem
  4. Checking parts like the O-rings, rubber washers, and seals for possible damage
  5. Replacing the defective parts with new exact duplicates
    • Reassembling the faucet

2. Clogged bathroom drains

Constant bathing or showering in the bathroom can cause soap, hair, and other residues to accumulate over time, clogging the bath and shower drains. Fixing a blocked-up drain typically requires a plunger or snake. Using the plunger to unclog the drain works well if you ensure that the water in the shower is enough to submerge the plunger.

3. Slow drains

slow drain

Like clogged drains, a slow drain is a common minor issue, but it must be fixed immediately to prevent the drain from being completely blocked. Usually, a slow-draining sink is a sign that your drain has been clogged due to food residue and/or congealed fat or grease. One way to unclog the drain is by pouring chemicals down the drain to dissolve the clog. Be cautious, though, as chemicals may damage pipes if not correctly applied. A DIY alternative is using baking soda and vinegar.

4. Leaky pipes

leaky pipes

This particular plumbing issue is especially common during winter when your pipes get frozen leading them to burst. That is why it is best to constantly do an inspection of your piping system to spot possible damages such as corrosion, cracks, blockage, and excessive water pressure, which may cause the pipes to leak. To prevent burst pipes, which will eventually result in leaky pipes if left unfixed, preventive measures such as letting your taps slowly drip as the constant water flow will relieve the pressure in your pipes. Also, you have to set your thermostat and let warm air circulate around your home during the cold season to prevent your pipes from freezing. If you have leaky pipes and do not know how to fix the problem, the ideal thing to do would be to call a plumbing professional.

5. Low water pressure 

low water pressure

Having low water pressure can be annoying as it can affect the functions of other plumbing fixtures at home. The usual reasons for low water pressure include sediment build-up in your faucet aerators, hidden leaks, and defects (i.e. clogs and leaks) in your sewer lines and/or pipelines. That is why one should not take this problem lightly. To loosen and remove mineral deposits and sediments from your aerators, as well as your showerheads, unscrew the faucet aerators and soak them in white vinegar overnight. Suppose the problem continues despite cleaning your aerators and showerheads. In that case, it’s time to ask for help from a plumbing specialist to look deeper into the underlying conditions in your plumbing.

Lessen Plumbing Expenses, Lighten Homeowners Problems

Being a homeowner can be quite a handful sometimes. Before matters worsen and require expensive plumbing service, you can prevent these common household plumbing problems.  

Look out for our next blog post, in which we will share the remaining 5 Common Plumbing Problems to guide you in controlling and lessening plumbing expenses.

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