Common Plumbing Problems and When to Call The Plumber

As a homeowner, you may face quite a few home issues, but hey that is what goes along with homeownership. Often times there are tasks and handy work we can do around the home ourselves, but sometimes there are times when you need to call in the professionals. Lakewood Plumbing has found a few common plumbing problems that we see in homes from around Lakewood, Colorado, and a few issues when it is time to call the plumber…Lakewood Plumbing.

Common Plumbing Problems

Plumbing Maintenance

One way to prevent costly repairs to your home is a regular maintenance schedule. Because many issues with your pipes sneak up on you, a thorough inspection is a key to catching small problems before they grow. Hidden leaks in sink drains or below water heaters are more than just a nuisance; over time, they can cause structural damage. Drainage problems are something that need to be taken care of, before any issues with sewage begin. Problems with sewage can be jobs that involve sewer line replacement, which can cause disruption to the home. Water that seeps into sheetrock or plaster contributes to mold growth. Porous tile or wood flooring can discolor or warp when wet.

Routine DIY Maintenance Tasks

Many routine maintenance tasks are simple do-it-yourself jobs. An inspection is the foundation of any maintenance schedule. You may use your sinks and tubs daily, but you might not notice minor concerns unless you set aside time for an inspection. Go through your home and take a look at your plumbing. Examine all exposed pipes, including under sinks and behind toilet tanks, for any signs of moisture. On a humid day, some condensation on a cold metal pipe is normal, so note any dampness and check the pipes again when the home is cooler. If you notice more water/moisture than usual, then it could be a sign of a leak and you’ll need to get in touch with a professional similar to this emergency plumber, to come and further inspect. Also, check for signs of corrosion on brass or copper fittings; corrosion occurs more rapidly on damp metal, so corroded connections could reveal a slow leak.

Turn on water faucets in sinks, showers, and tubs to monitor water pressure. Some variation between different faucet styles and purposes is normal, but all of them should have a steady flow. Note how quickly the water drains after you test the faucet, too; slow drains could mean a clog waiting to happen. While you’re making your rounds, flush toilets to ensure they don’t run or leak at the base, a sign of a faulty wax seal.

Low Water Pressure

When water that should gush, only trickles from the tap, you have low water pressure. This problem might not be related to the pipes in your house but to the municipal water supply. It’s rare, but a break in a mainline can temporarily reduce your water pressure. A more common cause of this problem is a build-up of deposits or sediment on faucet aerators.

The water entering your pipes carries dissolved minerals in them that eventually deposit themselves on metal surfaces. If you have a filtration system, these deposits wind up in the filters and get changed; without such a system, these mineral deposits collect on inner surfaces of aerators and showerheads, clogging screens and slowing flow. Most kitchen faucets have easily removed aerators that just unscrew from the tip of the faucet for easy cleaning. Taking off the aerator and soaking it overnight in a vinegar solution will generally dissolve the calcium deposits. Showerheads and bathroom faucets may not be as easy to remove, but you can affix a plastic bag filled with vinegar to the showerhead overnight to clean it.

If you still notice low water pressure after cleaning aerators and shower heads of sediment and deposits, you might have a more complex issue that could require the services of a plumber. A leak or breach in pipes leading into your home is an emergency that could damage your home’s infrastructure or foundation. Sudden and significant reduction in water pressure with no known cause merits a call to a licensed plumber who can pinpoint the reason for the change. There will be many of these in your local area. If you are from Washington, for example, you can find help through craftsman-plumbing.com/service-areas/plumbing-services-edmond-washington/ if you are experiencing any of the above problems.