Residential plumbing is fairly basic in theory. Even so, there are those who have issues with the jobs they try to tackle on their own. That’s why it’s good to know the weak links in a chain. It makes it easier to keep an eye out for troubles if you know where they are most likely to crop up.
When it comes to your plumbing system, you need to be aware that certain plumbing fixtures are more likely to be a trouble spot. With that in mind, here’s a closer look at the four residential plumbing fixtures that are the most troublesome.
Types of Plumbing Fixtures
First of all, what are we talking about when we say plumbing fixture? Pretty much anything that has to do with your home’s plumbing system! This includes sinks, faucets, drains, toilets, showers, bathtubs, and more.
Because the plumbing system carries water throughout your home, a small leak or weakness in the system could spell disaster. Water damage is expensive to fix, especially if it happens inside the walls!
Any improperly installed plumbing fixture is likely to have problems, and while your natural inclination may be to blame a contractor or handyman for a faulty sink or clogged toilet, keep in mind that even with proper installation and maintenance, there are a few fixtures that tend to cause trouble.
Slow or Clogged Drains
No matter how hard you try to keep stuff out of the drains, slow or clogged drains inevitably happen. In the kitchen, it’s grease, bits of food, and other organic matter that always ends up going down the drain. In the bathroom, hair, soap scum and mineral buildup tend to be the culprits.
Regardless, all it takes is one small bit to get stuck somewhere and more will continue joining until a sizable clog has formed. If not maintained, a clogged drain could lead to a plumbing emergency because a slow drain will only get worse, so this isn’t something you should ignore.
If you hear unpleasant noises such as gurgling, or notice a foul odor, then you should call a local plumber before water starts overflowing and damages your floors or personal possessions.
Leaky Pipes and Dripping Faucets
Another weak point is small leaks. In some ways, small leaks are worse than big ones because they can go unnoticed for a long period of time. Drops of water slowly run out into your home, causing water damage and creating the perfect conditions for mold to grow.
Even when you realize there’s a leak, finding the source can be difficult. But again, if you suspect a leak, don’t ignore it. It will only get worse and cause more damage with time.
The same goes for dripping faucets. Though the water is going down the drain rather than running into your home, you should still fix it quickly. Leaks waste more water than you realize. About 10% of American homes have leaks that waste over 90 gallons of water per day!
Low Water Pressure
There are a number of reasons why certain fixtures might experience low water pressure. Some are not a personal issue, such as a problem with your water supply company or the main shutoff valve being partially closed.
However, low water pressure can also indicate clogs or corrosion in your supply pipes or worse — leaks!
It’s important to investigate the cause of low water pressure as soon as you notice it has dropped off. There could be a serious issue lurking that will only cause more damage the longer it’s ignored. Not sure where to start? Consider hiring a residential plumber to be safe!
Running Toilets
Though catastrophically overflowing toilets are more exciting, running toilets are more common — and they are a huge waste of water. Depending on your home’s water pressure (and other factors) a running toilet can waste more than 1 gallon of water per hour!
Running toilets, also known as a “ghost flush”, is when the toilet water refills on its own without someone flushing it. If left unattended, you will be stuck with higher-than-normal water bills until you fix the problem. In some instances, you’ll have to replace the toilet’s flush system.
It can be an annoying and seemingly unexplainable problem, but it’s often due to something simple like a dirty, clogged or defective flapper. However, there can be other reasons behind a running toilet, so you’ll want to make sure you’ve checked any obvious problems before calling in a plumber.
Call a Professional Plumber
Plumbing problems are not always easy to fix. Sometimes they’re not even easy to find, though there are obvious signs of a leak or clog.
In many cases, you’ll need the help of a professional plumber to resolve your plumbing problems. Plumbers have an easier time finding problems with both their experience and the special equipment they use.
Furthermore, a professional plumber can inspect your entire system and even find weak spots that haven’t developed into full-blown problems yet — but are about to.
Looking for help with your residential plumbing fixtures? Reach out to us here at Green Group. With our experience and technique, there’s no plumbing problem that can prevail against us!
