Common Plumbing Problems in Homes
Plumbing issues range from small problems like burst pipes to major ones like leaks that may lead to structural damage. Most plumbing problems go undetected for a long time before they become serious problems or cause significant damage. Avoid letting a plumbing problem ruin your day or drain your bank account. Below are the most common plumbing problems to look out for.
You Have Bellied Lines
As your house settles and moves over time, the pipes beneath it may begin to belly, limiting water flow and resulting in blockages and leaks. In the case of your drain and sewer lines, this may cause toxic wastewater to seep into your houses or garden. Toxic water may result in a huge mess and pose a big risk. Bellies can also cause slab leaks, where water penetrates through the foundation of your house, causing extensive property damage. Keep an eye out for signs of pope bellies, like frequent back-ups, slow drains, foul odors, and lush green patches in your yard.
You Have a Running Toilet
The most common cause of a running toilet is a defective flapper valve that controls the water to the bowl from the tank. A damaged refill toilet tube can also be a problem. The refill tube replenishes water within the tank. The top should always remain above the water level. The floating ball sinks once the tank water empties with a flash opening of the inlet valve on the fill tube. Once the tank fills up, the ball floats, closing the valve and stopping the filling process. If the float ball has issues, it will not allow the valve to close, leaving water running.
A running toilet quickly becomes a flooding toilet. If you have a septic tank, excess water risks flooring the tank, which results in failure and saturation of your drain field. As a result of large water wastage, you experience high water expenses.
You Have a Faulty Water Heater
When your water heater is defective, you need to be aware of various consequences, such as:
- Contaminated water
- Erratic water temperatures
- Explosions
- Water heater back drafting
If you have no hot water, you may have malfunctioning or broken heating components. Incorrect thermostat settings and a tripped circuit breaker could also be the issue. Rust-colored water from your shower indicates a finished sacrificial anode rod or the glass-lined water heater tanks are experiencing too much corrosion.
Leaking or pooling water around your water indicates a faulty plumbing connection, leaking heating elements, or a faulty valve.
You Have Dripping Faucets
Damage to a faucet's important components is the leading cause of dripping faucets. A steady drip from your tap shows you need to replace the washer, and for compression faucets, the seals deteriorate over time due to pressure.
Valve seats connect faucets and the spout. Over time sediments accumulate, causing the valve seat area to corrode and cause a leaky faucet. If your water pressure is too high, it could also cause a dripping faucet. High water pressure prevents water from flowing away.
You Have Root Invasion
Root intrusion happens when trees in your lawn utilize the moisture from your sewer line as organic fertilizers, growing around and even in the lines. It can cause serious sewer water leaks and clogs, making root intrusion a huge problem.
You can pass a home inspection by scheduling regular plumbing maintenance. You will identify small problems before they become major ones. Hiring a professional, licensed plumber to do a thorough inspection before you buy a new home or put your current one on the market may assist you in avoiding delaying the sale.
AZ Emergency Plumbing can rapidly repair and restore water damage to your property. Our quick response time can help you save money on water damage and restoration. Our licensed plumber can identify the source of the water, repair hidden leaks, and develop a treatment plan for affected areas. Contact us at any time for a quick response and excellent customer service.
