The plumbing work in your house is generally reliable and ready for use, but the faucets, pipes, sinks, showers and other elements can occasionally stop functioning or otherwise break down. Here's a look at common plumbing problems encountered throughout a home and how to fix them - whether that means a do-it-yourself job or calling in a professional plumber:
In the Kitchen
For most kitchens, the sink is the only plumbing fixture that can sometimes be fixed by a homeowner instead of a professional. Dishwashers, while using the same water as all the plumbing fixtures in a home, are complicated appliances that require knowledge beyond that of pipes and water flow to repair. So what kitchen sink issues can a homeowner fix?
A Leaky Sink Faucet
While a dripping faucet isn't usually indicative of serious plumbing problems, it can certainly be annoying when in or near the kitchen. A leak that goes untreated can sometimes develop into a more serious problem - or at least a more pronounced drip - if the issue isn't addressed. It's also important to note that leaky faucets waste money when they drip, and those costs can quickly add up.
As How Stuff Works points out, a leaky faucet is often caused by issues with seals inside the plumbing that connects to the sink. Water ready for home use enters a home from the main pipe on the street or through another system such as a well under pressure. That pressure pushes water through to the faucet head when the seals aren't completely effective. There are many components that could cause a leak inside standard sinks, including the faucet valve seat, but one of the most common problems stems from the washer inside a compression-style faucet. This is a relatively simple fix that entails turning off the water, opening the faucet assembly by removing the relevant exterior screws and detaching the nuts and screws that hold the washer in place. With an exact replacement on hand, the operation is as simple as swapping out the washer and carefully reassembling the faucet.
Other issues with leaks may not be as simple to repair, however. If the basic fixes you attempt don't seem to solve the problem, don't get overconfident and move outside your comfort zone. Attempting to fix a problem that's too complicated can lead to damage to the fixture or the pipes that feed water to it, increasing costs. Contacting a plumber in this situation is a safer and more effective decision.
A Problem With the Drain Trap
The drain trap, also called a U-trap for its shape, serves an important purpose in sinks and toilets. The trap maintains a plug of water between the faucet or toilet tank, which keeps the unpleasant smells of sewer gas from climbing all the way through a pipe and entering a home. More importantly, the same mechanism that traps the undesirable scents also stops the gases, which may include harmful bacteria or diseases, from finding their way inside a house and creating unsafe conditions. As the trap fills an important home safety role, repairing damage to it is incredibly important.
How Stuff Works suggests performing regular preventative maintenance in the form of trap checks on a consistent basis, followed by action as appropriate. If you encounter a trap with a leak, be ready to make the repair a priority. Some of the most common issues are fixed simply by tightening the slip nuts, which hold the trap in place with the drain and drainpipe. These fasteners may slowly come loose over time as the sink or toilet is used. A standard wrench can solve the problem and stop the leak.
More complicated repairs may be necessary when the pipes that connect the trap to the rest of the system or the trap itself display signs of wear and tear. It's possible to replace these items, but care has to be taken. Such efforts also carry a level of complexity, as pipes have to be unscrewed and new ones reattached. Unless you have experience or are ready to dedicate some time to learning the correct procedures and making sure each step is carried out correctly, it may be better to call in a professional plumber. Homeowners have to consider the safety aspects of traps when dealing with maintenance and repair issues as well, as an incorrect fix may expose you and your family to potentially dangerous disease vectors.
Fixing a broken drain catch is one of the simplest repairs.
A Broken Drain Catch
The drain catch keeps large, solid matter from entering the pipes directly below the sink and entering the drain trap or otherwise creating a clog. Fixing this sink element is one of the simplest repairs, as the component is cheap enough to replace. Parts are readily available at larger hardware stores and some big box stores. If part of the assembly attached to the sink that keeps the catch in place breaks, however, you may have to purchase a new sink or ask a plumber to investigate potentially less-expensive options.
An Uncooperative Sprayer Hose
The sprayer hose is a useful attachment, but it's prone to leaks just like the faucet. Replacing a sprayer hose tends to be a simple exercise, however. As the unit is usually a single piece that attaches to a short hose extending from the underside of the sink, a quick replacement is often enough to solve problems. You likely won't need to turn off the water flowing to the sink. The only time that a plumber may be needed is if the short hose attached to the sink is damaged and leaking into the space beneath the sink.
In the Bathroom
Besides the presence of a sink, the bathroom has some other major plumbing-related appliances. Some of the problems seen here can be fixed by a homeowner, while others require the skills and experience of a professional.
A Running Toilet
A toilet that doesn't stop filling with water can be both an annoyance and a consistent source of lost money. Fixing the toilet can cut down on water bills and stop a bothersome sound emanating from the bathroom. A running toilet is often caused by a very simple problem that may only require the removal of the lid on top of the toilet tank.
A blockage in the seal created at the bottom of the tank can lead to a running toilet, as can a damaged or displaced float or a fill tube that's out of alignment. A blockage - such as a toilet chain sticking in the seal - can easily be cleared with your hands, and either removed if a foreign object or pinned away from the seal if an internal component. The other possibilities for a running toilet, like a damaged float or a fill tube sitting out of alignment, require a little more work to fix. However, common toilet repair kits sold at hardware and big box stores can address these problems.
While these are the most common reasons for a running toilet, they aren't the only ones. Some issues may be more complicated or stem from problems that aren't easily seen nor fixed by most homeowners. In these situations, especially after attempts to fix the toilet have been made and failed, a plumber should be called.
Shower drains can clog frequently if not properly maintained.
A Plugged or Slow Drain
Shower drains can clog frequently if not properly maintained, but even drains that are regularly cleaned and cleared on the surface can eventually become blocked. In terms of repair, the nature of the blockage in the pipes doesn't matter as much as its severity. Clogs near the surface can be fished out and removed relatively easily, while one further down in the plumbing may require a specialized tool such as a snake.
Tools specially designed for removing clogs are generally safe and can be used based on the manufacturer's instructions. However, other methods of clearing a drain should be avoided. Tools not developed to be safely used in drains can easily damage pipes and lead to more serious and expensive problems. You should also avoid the use of harsh drain-cleaning chemicals, as frequent use can severely damage pipes. Additionally, many drain cleaners developed to work on drains in kitchen sinks and workrooms are specifically unsafe for use in bathrooms.
If a serious, persistent blockage doesn't respond to safe removal efforts, it's likely time to get in touch with a professional plumber. While there's sometimes a significant cost involved, dangerous efforts to clear a plugged drain can damage pipes inside a home and lead to a much larger bill.
A Weak Shower Head
While low-flow shower heads are now a common sight in bathrooms, they can reach a point when they simply stop providing an effective level of pressure. This is often not due to the intended mechanics of the shower head, but a buildup of minerals and other materials found in minute quantities in water supplied to some homes. When such material flows through a shower head for years, it can build up and begin to slow down the stream. The gradual nature of the process means it's not immediately noticeable and preventative maintenance efforts sometimes fall by the wayside.
Fixing a slow-flowing shower head isn't a particularly complicated problem, however. In most cases, a shower head can quickly and safely be removed from the pipe extending from the shower wall. Additionally, there's usually no need to shut off the water flow to the shower. With the head detached, it's a simple matter of soaking the head in a solution to remove the caked-on minerals. There are a variety of solutions sold in stores that can perform this action. Common household vinegar is also effective and often less expensive than the liquids sold in stores. Soaking for a few hours or overnight, then testing the flow of the shower head and reapplying the solution as needed, is often enough to resolve the problem.
The lack of water flow could also be caused by a mechanical failure in the shower head itself, which is also a relatively easy fix. Simply purchasing a new head and installing it can fix problems that don't clear up after a cleaning.
A Problem Outside the Home
Homeowners' responsibilities for the pipes and plumbing fixtures on their property don't end at the walls of the home. The pipes that connect to the water main, well or other source of fresh drinking and washing water are the responsibility of the person who owns the house to which they connect.
There are few direct repairs that homeowners can make on these exterior pipes. The amount of water that flows through the main and the underground location of the pipes are two major obstacles to effective home repair. Instead, homeowners should be mindful of the location of these pipes - especially if they're located in the side yard or other area not commonly observed - and occasionally check if the ground seems disturbed or if excess water is rising from the soil. If a problem is detected, it's time to call a plumber and possibly the water company.