Common Plumbing Issues in a House

A dripping faucet here, a clogged drain there – plumbing issues can pop up at any time. Many are simple enough to tackle yourself, but some require the help of a professional.

Having an understanding of common plumbing problems can help you avoid costly repairs down the road. Here are a few major plumbing issues to keep an eye out for:

Leaky Pipes

Leaky pipes are a common problem and can be caused by a number of things. Over time, pipes can corrode and break down due to age or simply from normal wear and tear. In other cases, they may be leaking for a more serious reason, such as a burst pipe.

When a leaky pipe isn’t addressed immediately, it can lead to serious problems for the house and the homeowner. The water leaking from the pipes can cause damage to the walls and ceilings, as well as create a moist environment that is ideal for mold growth. The mold can also eat away at the drywall and underlying materials, leading to further structural damage and costly repairs.

Many people don’t realize they have a leaky pipe until it is too late and they have already spent thousands of dollars on home repairs. A professional plumber will be able to quickly and efficiently diagnose and repair any leaks in the house.

Clogged Drains

Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing issues homeowners face. If left untreated, a clogged pipe can cause mold growth, leaks, water or sewage backups and even structural damage to your home.

Your household drain pipes are designed to handle waste, but they can clog with hair, soap scum, food scraps, grease, and other debris. When this debris builds up, your home’s sinks, tubs and toilets will not function properly.

A clogged drain is usually noticeable by an unpleasant smell, but you may also hear noises as water and air gurgle around the pipes. If all of your household drains become slow or clogged, it could be a sign that the main sewer line has a blockage. Avoid this problem by taking steps to limit what goes down your drains, including avoiding so-called flushable wipes and sanitary products and using kitchen rags instead of cotton swabs to clean dishes. Also, make sure to pour cooking grease into the garbage can rather than down your sinks.

Sewer Backups

Sewage backups are one of the most unpleasant plumbing problems homeowners can face. Not only are they smelly and unattractive, but they expose residents to a host of dangerous bacteria that can make them very sick. Raw sewage can also damage porous materials like floors, drywall and furniture.

If waste is backed up into your home, immediately shut off the water supply valve to

the house. Also, turn off electricity if the wastewater comes near electrical outlets.

Typically, a sewer backup occurs when your house’s drain pipes or the main sewer line becomes clogged. When you flush a toilet or drain a tub, listen for gurgling sounds that indicate the presence of a blockage.

Some things that cause a sewer line backup are out of your control, such as earthquakes, land shifts or the age of your pipes. If your home has older clay or cast iron pipes, consider getting them replaced to avoid a potential backup.

Low Water Pressure

If you’ve tried everything listed above to increase water pressure in your home and still don’t have enough, it may be time to call a plumber. Professional plumbers can quickly diagnose and resolve problems with pipes, including clogs. A plumber in Canberra also knows how to safely shut off the main water supply for the entire house if necessary, while making sure that leaking pipes are not being caused by corroded valves or overuse of household members.

The branch lines that extend from your water supply stack to your individual fixtures can be another source of low water pressure. These can become clogged with mineral deposits or corroded due to acidic water, unbalanced pH levels and other factors that wear on piping. A plumber will assess these piping issues and determine whether they can be cleaned or if replacement is needed. They will also inspect your home for leaks. If you have a multi-story home, they will start on the lowest level and turn on faucets all the way up to test your water pressure in each area of the home.

A dripping faucet here, a clogged drain there – plumbing issues can pop up at any time. Many are simple enough to tackle yourself, but some require the help of a professional.

Having an understanding of common plumbing problems can help you avoid costly repairs down the road. Here are a few major plumbing issues to keep an eye out for:

Leaky Pipes

Leaky pipes are a common problem and can be caused by a number of things. Over time, pipes can corrode and break down due to age or simply from normal wear and tear. In other cases, they may be leaking for a more serious reason, such as a burst pipe.

When a leaky pipe isn’t addressed immediately, it can lead to serious problems for the house and the homeowner. The water leaking from the pipes can cause damage to the walls and ceilings, as well as create a moist environment that is ideal for mold growth. The mold can also eat away at the drywall and underlying materials, leading to further structural damage and costly repairs.

Many people don’t realize they have a leaky pipe until it is too late and they have already spent thousands of dollars on home repairs. A professional plumber will be able to quickly and efficiently diagnose and repair any leaks in the house.

Clogged Drains

Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing issues homeowners face. If left untreated, a clogged pipe can cause mold growth, leaks, water or sewage backups and even structural damage to your home.

Your household drain pipes are designed to handle waste, but they can clog with hair, soap scum, food scraps, grease, and other debris. When this debris builds up, your home’s sinks, tubs and toilets will not function properly.

A clogged drain is usually noticeable by an unpleasant smell, but you may also hear noises as water and air gurgle around the pipes. If all of your household drains become slow or clogged, it could be a sign that the main sewer line has a blockage. Avoid this problem by taking steps to limit what goes down your drains, including avoiding so-called flushable wipes and sanitary products and using kitchen rags instead of cotton swabs to clean dishes. Also, make sure to pour cooking grease into the garbage can rather than down your sinks.

Sewer Backups

Sewage backups are one of the most unpleasant plumbing problems homeowners can face. Not only are they smelly and unattractive, but they expose residents to a host of dangerous bacteria that can make them very sick. Raw sewage can also damage porous materials like floors, drywall and furniture.

If waste is backed up into your home, immediately shut off the water supply valve to

the house. Also, turn off electricity if the wastewater comes near electrical outlets.

Typically, a sewer backup occurs when your house’s drain pipes or the main sewer line becomes clogged. When you flush a toilet or drain a tub, listen for gurgling sounds that indicate the presence of a blockage.

Some things that cause a sewer line backup are out of your control, such as earthquakes, land shifts or the age of your pipes. If your home has older clay or cast iron pipes, consider getting them replaced to avoid a potential backup.

Low Water Pressure

If you’ve tried everything listed above to increase water pressure in your home and still don’t have enough, it may be time to call a plumber. Professional plumbers can quickly diagnose and resolve problems with pipes, including clogs. A plumber in Canberra also knows how to safely shut off the main water supply for the entire house if necessary, while making sure that leaking pipes are not being caused by corroded valves or overuse of household members.

The branch lines that extend from your water supply stack to your individual fixtures can be another source of low water pressure. These can become clogged with mineral deposits or corroded due to acidic water, unbalanced pH levels and other factors that wear on piping. A plumber will assess these piping issues and determine whether they can be cleaned or if replacement is needed. They will also inspect your home for leaks. If you have a multi-story home, they will start on the lowest level and turn on faucets all the way up to test your water pressure in each area of the home.