Education is power and knowing the various types of plumbing problems that can occur may allow you to take measures to avoid them. You may also get the knowledge to fix the issues that you’re dealing with.
Bathrooms have increasingly become more complex with a host of fixtures, modern showers, tankless water heaters, and automatic toilets. Our focus is on issues that may occur to most people regardless of which systems they have in their bathrooms:
Potential shower issues
You probably spend a lot of time in the bathroom and don’t give a second thought to the components that make your shower a success. Now, various things could go wrong with the shower, including:
Clogged shower drain: The build-up of hair, dirt, and soap scum inside the drain can contribute towards a clog. There are some homemade remedies for dealing with clogged shower drains such as pouring a mixture of baking soda and vinegar or running hot water. It’s important to call a plumber if the interventions fail. They will use a plumbing auger to clear difficult clogs.
Inadequate water pressure: A lot of issues may contribute towards low pressure including silt or sediment build-up, hidden leaks, or general low water pressure supply. You can start by removing the showerhead and determine if it needs some cleaning. For showerheads that can’t be removed, you can use the “Vinegar bag” trick. If this fails to fix the issue you can consider calling a plumber.
Intermittent scalding hot water: Hot water scalding contributes to serious burns that result in some 112,000 people visiting the ER every year. The issue may be a result of a high-temperature setting on the water heater.
Toilet issues
Toilet problems can be very frustrating to deal with. Some will require the intervention of a plumber and some will not. You may get a manual with your toilet that can also help identify some common issues.
Clogged toilets: If you have a plunger, you may use it to combat a clogged toilet, and this may work if there is something lodged into the drain pipes. Now if the intervention does not work, it may be worth it to call an emergency plumber from teamemergencyplumber.com. They have more robust tools like mechanical plumbing snakes and drain inspection cameras.
Incomplete flushes: The most common cause of incomplete flashes is low water in the tank. You can fix this problem by yourself by raising the water level. The issue may require the intervention of a plumber if it’s been caused by a sewer line issue or poor toilet drain design. Another problem can be a toilet that swirls but doesn’t flush.
Water leaking into the bowl: It’s one of the most common problems homeowners experience and contributes to a lot of water wastage. The underlying cause may vary depending on the toilet design. Start by checking for the type of your toilet, and if you’re handy you may find required replacement parts. If the problem is more intricate, you can consider hiring a plumber. Don’t ignore it as it will be very expensive if left unattended.
Low water levels in the toilet bowl: Some reasons that could contribute to low water levels in the toilet bowl include a damaged fill tube or valve, a blocked sewer vent line, or a cracked toilet bowl that’s slowly leaking water. Plumbers can help resolve all these issues and will recommend replacing the toilet if the toilet bowl has developed a crack.
Bathtub problems
The bathtub is also not immune to problems. Some may include:
Leaking or damaged tub faucet: It’s a fairly easy problem to fix and typically results from damaged rubber washers found inside the faucet assembly. You can try de-assembling the faucet and checking for damaged components. The local hardware store may have some in stock.
Bathtub drain leak: Your bathtub drain may start leaking if seals become damaged due to aging. It’s possible to disassembly and replace damaged components. If you’re unsure about the process, it’s best to call a plumber.
Sink problems
Your bathroom sink may have various problems including:
Slow draining sink: The build-up of soap scum and hair between the stopper or pivot rod may inhibit the smooth flow of dirty water. You can try and screwing the stopper and cleaning it.
Dripping faucet: Is your bathroom faucet still dripping water after you close it? It can drive you crazy at times. The problem occurs because of broken washers. It may be worth it to replace the entire faucet, as the cost of trying to fix individual components may outweigh the benefits of getting a new one.
When in doubt seek the help of a plumber
You should always call a plumber if you need the problem addressed professionally and resolved once and for all. Although don’t call them to take advice on bathroom heat lights. While you can save some money on DIY repair, it’s not applicable for all situations. If you feel that you’re out of depth on a particular issue, it never hurts to seek additional help.
