7 Biggest Problems that Occur in Household Plumbing

Plumbing problems can feel like a nightmare, especially if you start running into problem after problem. It’s important to keep up with the maintenance of your plumbing systems as well as learn a bit about why these problems are occurring. There are seven biggest problems that occur in household plumbing, and those include the pesky dripping faucet, low water pressure, slow draining, running toilets, leaky pipes, sump pump failures, and water heater problems. Let’s get into these issues so you know what to do if you experience them.

Dripping Faucets

A dripping faucet not only drives you crazy, but it’s a waste of water and money. You may think the slow drips are not a huge deal, but it does start to accumulate the amount of water being used and the amount you’ll see on your water bill. So, what are the usual causes for a dripping faucet?

The most common reason we see for dripping faucets are due to a worn-out washer inside the faucet. How did the washer get so worn-out? A build-up of chlorine is the usual cause for this. Another reason could be loose parts, which can easily be fixed by a little righty-tighty.

If your faucet is leaking by the base or the handles, chances are you have a bad o-ring. The o-ring is a small disk that is attached to the stem screw that holds the handle and faucet in place. If you see leaking anywhere else, this is probably the reason why.

Low Water Pressure

If you’re experiencing low water pressure it’s probably due to a shut or blocked water meter valve, mineral buildup clogs in pipes, corroded pipes, or even a crack in the main city supply pipe to your home. The first thing you should do is call an experienced, professional plumber. They’ll be able to diagnose the issue faster than you trying to troubleshoot everything. However, if you want to find out the base of the problem, here’s some things you can do.

The first place you should start is by looking at your home’s main shutoff valve. It’s normally located on the exterior of your home or in a utility room of some sort. All you need to do is ensure that the valves are in an open position. If you see any kind of breakage, call a plumber!

When it comes to mineral deposits made up of limestone, rust, and other sediments, you’ll want to remove the faucet or shower head to clean out the sediment that has collected inside plumbing fixtures. You’ll know if this is the issue if the water pressure is only low in a specific area. So, if your sinks are working fine but your shower water pressure is low, you know this is the probable issue.

If you don’t know how or want to try to figure this one out on your own, just call a plumber. We can help.

Slow Drainage System

There’s nothing worse than a slow drain. Have you ever taken a shower and found yourself standing in a puddle of water while you’re trying to wash your hair? Not only does it take the enjoyment out of your shower, but it will also cause worry that something is wrong with plumbing system.

The usual reason for this is a clog. Whether your shower is draining slow or your kitchen sink, it’s normally due to soap clogs, fat/grease clogs, or even hair and rust build-up. Drain-O and products alike are fine for a temporary fix, but it will not fix the issue completely. Also, these materials are bad for your plumbing system’s health overtime.

Instead, call a plumber and they’ll be able to find the source of the clog and take care of the repair for you. Plus, you don’t want to go in a shower drain and pull out a bunch of soapy hair, do you? Gross. We’ll deal with that.

Running Toilets

Running toilets are probably more annoying to deal with than dripping faucets. There’s nothing worse than trying to fall asleep to that sound, or even worse, being woken up by it. The worst part about this issue is that a running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day. Yikes.

This usually happens because of refill tube problems, worn out flapper seals or flush valves, improperly sized flapper chains, or corroded toilet handles.

If you’re aware of the cause behind your running toilet, you can check out some YouTube videos on how to repair it or, save the headache and give us a call.

Leaking Pipes

Leaky pipes are harder to diagnose as there are many reasons as to why they have sprung a leak. Some of these reasons include stubborn clogs causing more issues after not being dealt with quickly enough, incorrect pipe laying, pipe corrosion, pipe joint damage, cracked seals or cracked pipes, and or excessive water pressure.

Yeah, that’s a lot to dive into and it’s very hard to diagnose by yourself unless it’s easy to spot. Regardless of what is causing your leaky pipes, the issue should be addressed quickly to prevent any further damage. Assuming it doesn’t get fixed in a timely manner, you’re looking at flooding, deeper problems in your plumbing systems, and eventually – mold.

Sump Pump Failures

Just hearing “sump pump failures” sounds scary, doesn’t it? There are a few reasons as to why your sump pump failed and those include stuck switches, too much water (due to heavy rain), clogged pipes, improper installation, and your sump pump is too old to continue to work as it should.

This is a party of household plumbing that is extremely hard to fix on your own. It’s best to get a professional plumber over to come look at the issue and diagnose/fix to prevent future damage and ensure it is repaired correctly.

Water Heater Issues

Water heaters are essential to every home. Hot water is a necessity, so if there is ever any issues with your water heater, getting it looked at right away is important.

Water heater issues are caused by issues like heating element failures, corrosion or sediment build-up in systems, loose or broken electrical connections, improper installation, the wrong size for your home, or it’s simply aging.

Assuming you need a replacement, Pilot Plumbing & Drain offers storage tank water heaters, tankless water heaters, and heat-pump water heaters.

The storage tank water heater is the most popular in most Vancouver, Washington homes. The conventional storage-tank water heaters are sturdy, durable, and easy to install, and provide reliable hot water throughout your home. These types of water heaters require occasional maintenance to reduce corrosion sediment build-up and increase their lifespan.

Tankless water heaters are the modern, hyper-efficient way to heat water in your home. These produce instant and seemingly unlimited amounts of hot water. With unmatched efficiency, these water heaters are best for larger families or locations where you need a lot of hot water at once. We recommend annual professional cleanings and flushing minerals and corrosion of the lines to reach the peak life of around 8-10 years.

Heat pump water heaters use their compressor to take the heat from the surrounding air and transfer it to your water storage tank, where the water supply is heated. Instead of heating the water directly, it uses electricity, making it 2-3x more efficient than conventional electric water heaters. With a lifespan of around 13-15 years, these water heaters are an excellent investment for your home.

Pilot Plumbing & Drain is Here For You

With over 15 years of business and thousands of five-star customers, we pride ourselves on being the best affordable plumbing company for the surrounding communities – prompt and reliable plumbing services you can trust.

We’re not only here to help you with any kind of plumbing issue or need, we’re here to supply you with knowledge about the industry and how to take care of your plumbing systems so you don’t have to deal with extensive, expensive damage.

If you’re looking for a great, local plumber in the Vancouver, Washington area – you’ve come to the right blog.

About Andy

Andy Davis, father of 6, CEO & Founder of Pilot Plumbing & Drain, has been a plumber for 18 years and decided to start Pilot Plumbing & Drain from seeing first-hand how important it is to have a reliable, honest plumber available to help the community. He believes in efficiency and takes pride in the cleanliness of his staff and their reputation for being polite, hard working, and professional.

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