An effective plumbing system is key to providing homeowners with a comfortable living environment. But too often, they call in professional services for issues that would have been prevented with more routine inspections and maintenance checks.
Clogged drains and toilets, leaking faucets, and frozen pipes are all common plumbing problems that could be easily avoided through simple measures.
Regular inspections and simple maintenance can prevent common plumbing issues—consider reaching out to professional plumbers in Phoenix for expert guidance and support.
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Clogged drains
Clogged drains are one of the most ordinary plumbing issues in homes today. Sometimes, they only affect one drain; other times, multiple ones. To avoid future clogs altogether, be mindful of what goes down your drains and take steps to maintain them regularly.
Food scraps, hair, grease, and other substances that don’t break down quickly can accumulate in your drain pipes over time, clogging them and restricting water flow – leading to slower or no draining in toilets, sinks, showers, or tubs. These clogs can attract household pests such as drain flies – making addressing this problem quickly imperative.
Avoiding clogged drains requires several measures, including using strainers in your sinks to capture hair and other debris and placing stoppers in toilets to keep items from falling into them. Enzymatic cleaners or vinegar may also help, or you could try using a plunger or plumbing snake (also called drain auger) to break up and push out clogs physically.
Flush your drains with hot water every few weeks to reduce minor clogs, using items you already have at home, such as baking soda and vinegar mixture poured down your drain to let sit before running hot water down it.
Leaking faucets
Dripping faucets rank right up there with beeping smoke alarms and creaky floorboards as household annoyances, yet their constant dripping can lead to serious consequences – from damaged cabinetry and water spots on walls and ceilings to high utility bills.
Call your local plumber immediately if your faucet begins dripping or dripping uncontrollably. They can inspect for loose parts, worn-out seals, and other problems that could easily be addressed.
You can avoid these issues by regularly using white vinegar to clear away buildup and clean off water sediments that cause corrosion within your faucet’s internal pieces.
Other causes of dripping faucets may include broken pipe connections or cracked fixtures, necessitating plumber installation of new parts to stop future leaks, such as cam washers, ceramic disk seals, or new balls or cartridges.
Sometimes, these parts are further down in your plumbing system than you can reach; in these instances, a professional may need to change inlet and outlet seals on either the faucet spout or pipes before repairs can begin.
Frozen pipes
Frozen pipes can be an expensive plumbing problem that leads to expensive repairs and water damage in your home. Frozen pipes often occur when temperatures fluctuate rapidly outside or if exposed to colder parts of the house, such as an attic or crawl space.
If you suspect that your pipes have frozen, make sure that you turn off all main water supplies immediately and call a plumber as soon as possible before trying to thaw the pipe by applying heat such as an electronic heating pad, hair dryer, and towel-soaked in hot water.
Signs that your pipes may have frozen include being unable to use faucets or toilets around the house, water spots on walls and ceilings, and higher than usual water bills. You can also feel the surface of the pipe with your hands to determine if it has frozen – thick ice indicates that the pipe has likely already burst.
Frozen pipes can be avoided by ensuring their surrounding area is well insulated and warm, keeping your thermostat higher during colder weather, and opening cabinet doors to increase air circulation in spaces where pipes are situated.
Conclusion – preventing common plumbing issues
In conclusion, while many common plumbing issues can be prevented or even remedied through vigilant maintenance and simple DIY measures, it is important to recognize when it’s time to call in the professionals. Quick remedies such as the use of enzymatic cleaners for clogged drains, or employing vinegar to clear away faucet buildups, can be effectively implemented by homeowners.
However, instances of uncontrollable faucet dripping, frozen pipes, or more complex clogging issues require the expertise of a professional plumber. Striking the right balance between DIY maintenance and professional intervention will ensure the longevity of your home’s plumbing system, safeguarding your living environment and financial resources.
