Plumbing is something that you might not give much thought to until there’s a problem. If your pipes are leaking, you don’t want to deal with the mess caused by a backed-up toilet or a broken faucet. There are many common plumbing issues that may seem like a headache at best, or a disaster at worst. Luckily, they’re issues that can be resolved quickly and easily by your local plumber. From clogged drains and broken pipes to frozen water lines, here are some common plumbing problems that may be affecting your home right now — and how you can handle them from home.
Overflowing Toilet
A backed-up toilet can be a scary sight for anyone, but it can also be a dangerous situation if left unaddressed. Thankfully, this issue is something that can be resolved in a matter of minutes by calling a plumber.What happens if your toilet backs up? A backed-up toilet is usually caused by a blockage in the main sewer line, which is an issue that can be resolved by a plumber. If you experience a backed-up toilet, the best thing you can do is shut off the water supply to the toilet tank and call a plumber as soon as possible.When you shut off the water supply, the tank will release water directly into the main sewer line. This will help clear the blockage and allow your toilet to flush again, without risking damage to your home. If you experience a backed-up toilet, here are a few things you can try at home before calling a plumber:
Turn off the water supply to the toilet — This will help ensure that the water doesn’t get trapped behind the toilet and cause more damage.
Loosen any toilet bolts that may be blocking the sewer line — Depending on the size of your home, you may have a few bolts on the toilet lid. Loosening these bolts can help clear the main sewer line and allow your toilet to flush once again.
Use a plunger to clear the toilet bowl — If the backed-up water in the toilet bowl is blocking the main sewer line, you can try using a plunger to clear the bowl and allow the water to flow back into the sewer system.
Clogged Drains
Drain cleaning is a common plumbing issue that is often resolved at home — or even quicker by calling a plumber — when a homeowner experiences a clogged drain. A clogged drain can cause a variety of problems, including flooding and backed-up sewage, which can be disastrous for a home. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do at home to unclog a clogged drain, before calling a plumber.How do you clear a clogged drain? The best way to clear a clogged drain is to use a plumbing auger. A plumbing auger is a long, thin instrument that is designed to break through and unclog a clogged pipe. If you have a clogged toilet, bathtub, or sink, a plumbing auger can help you clear the blockage. You can purchase a plumbing auger at a hardware store or online.When the clogged pipe is the result of a build up of hair or other debris, you can use a plunger to clear the blockage. If the clogged pipe is due to an earthworm or other animal burrowing through the pipe, you may need to call a plumber to install a new PVC pipe or replace the old pipe completely.
Leaking Pipes
Leaking pipes are a common plumbing issue that can cause damage to a home. If your home has experienced a lot of rain recently, you might notice a few drip-drop sounds in your home. These sounds can be a sign of a leaking pipe, and they can be resolved at home by shutting off the water supply and repairing the pipe with a pipe patch or PVC pipe replacement.If your pipes are leaking, there are a few things you can do to stop the damage and prevent further damage to your home. Shut off the water supply to the leaking pipes — Once you’ve identified what pipe is leaking, shut off the water supply to the leaking pipe. This will help you determine the location of the pipe and whether it can be fixed or replaced. Repairing or replacing the pipe — If the pipe is leaking and cannot be saved, you may need to replace the pipe. If the pipe is damaged, you can replace it with PVC pipe. Fixing the pipe — If the pipe is not leaking and you can fix it, you can do so by repairing the pipe. When replacing or repairing a pipe, it is important to use the right glue and pipe patch, as they will help you repair the pipe properly and prevent further damage to your home.
Frozen Water Lines
Frozen water lines can be a dangerous issue for your home, especially if they are in the outdoor portion of your home. If your water lines are frozen, all you need to do is wait for the frost to thaw. This can take up to a few days, but once they thaw, you can turn the water back on without any issues.What should you do if you see that your water lines are frozen? The best thing you can do is turn off the water supply to the frozen pipes and let them thaw out naturally. If you need to thaw out frozen pipes quickly, you can use a blow dryer to thaw them out.If your water lines are frozen and cannot be thawed out naturally, you may need to call a plumber to thaw them out and fix the issue. Frozen water lines are usually caused by low pressure in the home. To fix the issue, a plumber will need to turn the water supply back on and use a water pressure regulator to increase the pressure. This will help ensure that the water is flowing through the water lines properly and prevent any more freezing.
Conclusion
There are many common plumbing issues that can be resolved by a plumber. However, there are also many issues that can be resolved at home with the right tools and knowledge. For example, you can clear a clogged toilet by using a plunger, or you can unclog a clogged pipe by using a plumbing auger. It is important to remember that plumbing issues can be dangerous, and it is crucial to shut off the water supply to avoid flooding and further damage.