Ever heard that ominous sound of a dripping tap in the dead of the night or turned on the tap only to be met by a slow trickle of water? Plumbing problems seem to always crop up at the most inconvenient of times. These could be leaky pipes, clogged drains, dripping taps, low water pressure or a running toilet.
Whether your house is new or old, a plumbing problem is something you will experience at some point. This is because the plumbing system in your house is a combination of various articles; pipes, washers, rings, faucets, sinks, knobs, toilets, shower heads, drains, and valves. These items are supposed to work in tandem with each performing a specific role in relation to the other. Through the process of wear, tear, age and breakage an item may malfunction. Then you have a plumbing problem in your hands.
A Dripping Tap
A dripping tap can be an irritating nuisance besides causing high water bills. These are most common in kitchens because of frequent use. When you turn off a tap, you actually prevent water coming through the pipes from reaching its logical conclusions – going through the taps and draining away. It is the washers that form a tight seal to prevent water flow. Over time this washers will become torn worn or stiff resulting into a small trickle of water that you see.
Low Water Pressure
Occasionally you will be surprised that the gushing flow you are used to has gradually reduced to a trickle. Look no further as the likeliest culprit could be the accumulated deposits of dissolved minerals found in water. If your plumbing system does not consist of a filter, these deposits eventually end up onto the interior surfaces of shower heads and aerators. These reduce water flow as they block the screens. If your plumbing that has a filter, the dirt will be deposited on the filter and by replacing the filter the problem is solved.
Blocked Drains
Waste water in the house is supposed to drain away effortlessly. However should you notice reduced outflow from your toilet, tub or sink your drains could be clogged. This clogging occurs when debris and dirt lodge themselves in pipes reducing outflow.
Running Toilet
Juggling your toilet several times so as to flush is an indication that you have a running toilet. This may be due to a damaged fill valve that won’t shut fully, the flapper valve which controls flow between bowl and the tank is damaged or the float no longer balances properly. Replace the fill tube, the float and flapper. If the problem persists after this replacement, chances are that sediments deposits are responsible for your frustrations. A thorough cleaning will be necessary.
Leaky Pipes
Another problem for homeowners common at the kitchen sinks though they can occur anywhere along the delivery system. Often pipes will leak at the joints when they are not tightly fitted or the joints have come loose. The tell-tale sign of a leaky pipe is the small puddle you see under the pipes. Although leaks can be temporarily be halted by use of leak tape, joint fillers, rubber sheets and compression clamps, the ideal solution is to replace the fittings. Regardless of the plumbing problem you encounter, most of these challenges can be easily fixed in a do it yourself approach.
Conclussion
Understanding these common plumbing problems will help you save money and a lot of frustration. what is important is to be vigilant and identify any issues at the earliest opportunity.
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