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No matter who you are or where you live, you will almost certainly have to deal with plumbing problems at some point. Some of these problems are minor inconveniences that you can solve with a plunger or some drain cleaner, while others are more serious issues that will require you to call a plumber for help. It’s always helpful to know about any plumbing problems you might face, so here are some of the more common issues that homeowners see.
1. Clogged Drains
One of the most common problems for which people call a plumber is a slow or clogged drain. Drains can be clogged for a number of reasons, but it usually comes down to what people wash down their sinks and showers. Shower drains and bathroom sinks can easily be clogged by a mixture of hair, soap, dead skin, and anything else that you might wash from your body when you bathe or wash your hands. Meanwhile, kitchen sinks can easily become clogged by things such as grease or starchy foods such as pasta and rice.
If you only have minor drain clogs that happen occasionally, you can usually clear them out with a plunger or a plastic drain tool. If nothing you do seems to work to clear out a drain or if clogs happen frequently, call a plumber for assistance. You might have a bigger problem with your plumbing that might be beyond your ability to fix.
2. A Clogged Toilet
Toilet clogs usually happen for the same reasons as drain clogs. Simply put, you’re probably flushing away too much of the wrong things. As a rule, the only things that should ever be flushed down a toilet are human waste and toilet paper. Things like paper towels and sanitary products that so many people flush out of convenience won’t break down in your septic system like toilet paper does. It can build up in your plumbing and cause your toilet to back up.
Of course, toilets can sometimes be clogged even when you’re using them properly. When this happens, it helps to have a plunger with a flanged head on hand. The flange is important because it helps to create a tighter seal around the hole at the bottom of the toilet bowl. Put the flange in the toilet bowl hole and push the plunger up and down repeatedly until the clog is clear.
If you aren’t able to clear a clogged toilet on your own or if your toilet is frequently clogged, call a plumber for help. Again, there might be a bigger problem with your plumbing or your septic system that will require a professional.
3. Dripping Faucets
A dripping faucet may seem like a minor inconvenience, but it can cause a lot of problems if it isn’t fixed. A faucet that drips once a second will waste over five gallons of water every day. This will impact your water bill if it goes on for too long. If this happens to more than one faucet in your home, that’s even more water wasted. All of that water can also damage wooden floors and cause metal fixtures to rust, both of which are very costly to repair.
The good news here is that dripping faucets are relatively easy to fix. In many cases, the solution is as simple as installing new O-rings, but it also depends on the type of faucet you have.
4. A Running Toilet
A running toilet will waste even more water than a dripping faucet, so it should be addressed quickly. In most cases, simply jiggling the handle will stop it. If that’s not enough, the problem is usually a leaky flapper or a worn-out stopper. A plumber will be able to help you with this, so don’t hesitate to call for help before your toilet wastes too much water.
5. Leaky Pipes
A leaky pipe is a serious issue that unfortunately comes up a lot for homeowners. Not only will a leak waste a lot of water, but it could cause a lot of water damage and create the ideal breeding ground for mold. Signs that you have a leak include rising water bills, pools of standing water, and dark spots on your floors or walls. These dark spots are signs of water damage, so they should be checked out regardless of how you handle your leaky pipes.
You can sometimes patch a leaky pipe with plumber’s tape or some putty, but that is a quick fix at best. In most cases, you’ll need to call a plumber to replace the damaged section of pipe. Again, you need to act quickly to prevent too much water damage.
6. Water Heater Issues
Your water heater provides hot water to your home, so it needs to be kept in good shape if you don’t want to be stuck taking cold showers or trying to do your laundry with cold water. Sadly, there are a few things that can go wrong with a water heater. A problem with your gas line could cause your pilot light to go out, a leak can spring in the water tank, and sediment can build up at the bottom of the tank. If you’ve noticed that your hot water isn’t as hot as it should be or there are strange sounds coming from your water heater, you might have a problem that needs to be addressed by a plumbing professional who specializes in water heater repair. Water heaters also only last between 8 and 12 years, so you might notice more problems if you have an older model.
7. Sewer Line Problems
Your home’s sewer line allows waste and wastewater to safely leave your home. It’s out of sight and out of mind most of the time, but it can develop issues such as clogs or invading tree roots. If you notice multiple clogged drains in your home or bad smells coming from your drains, your sewer line might be to blame. A leaking or collapsed sewer line can also produce signs on your property, such as patches of grass that are greener than the rest of your lawn or damp spots in your yard when there hasn’t been any rain.
If you suspect that you have a problem with your sewer line, we at Alphalete Plumbing Drain Heating & Air can perform a camera inspection to take a closer look at it to determine if it needs any repairs. Sewer line repairs and replacements can be completed relatively easily now, with new sewer lines lasting for decades.
Call Alphalete Plumbing Drain Heating & Air For Your Plumbing Needs
Plumbing problems are common in most homes, and while some can be fixed without too much hassle, many others call for a plumbing professional. That’s where we come in. Alphalete Plumbing Drain Heating & Air is an HVAC and plumbing company that has served Colorado Springs, CO and the surrounding areas since 2015. We provide a number of plumbing services such as drain cleaning, camera inspections, water heater services, and much more.
Whether you have a faucet that won’t stop dripping or a pipe leaking water everywhere, you can trust Alphalete Plumbing Drain Heating & Air to fix your plumbing problems. Call us today at our Colorado Springs headquarters for more information about our services.
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