10 Common Plumbing Problems that Call for Professionals
A seemingly minor plumbing issue can easily turn into a major nightmare with little notice, which is why Toshack offers extensive plumbing services to Kingston and Brockville residents. Determining when you need professional plumbing repairs is sometimes easier said than done, so we’re here to help.
Below, you’ll find some of the most common household plumbing issues that call for professional intervention!
- Faulty Water Heater
Waking up to a cold shower is never fun, especially during the winter months. Your water heater can fail due to any number of issues including a faulty thermostat, a burnt-out pilot light, as well as sediment buildup at the bottom of your water tank. Some homeowners may choose to relight their own pilot light, but this is only safe in certain circumstances. If you aren’t sure, or if the problem appears to have some other cause, contacting a plumbing expert is key.
Those who are tired of paying for repeated water heater repairs might consider changing models, or a tankless water heater installation.
- Jammed Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals are a great addition to any kitchen. Unfortunately, they can require a bit of added maintenance if not used properly. Although designed to be durable, things like potato skins, corn husks, and citrus peels can easily cause a garbage disposal jam. You can hit the reset button to see if that does the trick but if not, you’ll need to call in the professionals to open it up to free your garbage disposal’s motor.
- Clogged Shower Drain
One of the most frequently-used drains in any home, your shower/bath drain can easily become clogged over time with soap, hair, and other materials. This can quickly minimize your drain’s effectiveness and force the need for cleaning. In some cases, you might be able to fix the drain yourself by plunging it or using a baking soda/vinegar mixture, or another type of drain cleaner. But often, this will only provide a temporary solution. The best way to fix a clogged drain is to hire drain cleaning specialists.
- Low Water Pressure
A common issue in older homes, low water pressure can be particularly frustrating, especially when you’re trying to bathe or wash your clothes and dishes. If water trickles out of your tap, it could be because you have a broken or burst pipe somewhere in your plumbing system, or there’s a buildup of sediment on your tap’s aerators. Cleaning your shower and tap heads might easily do the trick; otherwise, calling in the professionals will be necessary.
- Dripping Faucets
Having a dripping faucet isn’t only aggravating when you’re trying to sleep at night, it can also cost you an arm and a leg on your monthly water bill. Why throw money “down the drain” when there’s often an easy fix? A leaky faucet can drip hundreds of gallons down the drain each year, and can often be repaired by simply replacing a washer or tightening a few bolts. If you don’t have the right tools or experience for the job, contact your local plumbing team.
- Slow Draining Sink
Much like your shower/tub drain, a slow draining sink is often easily solved with a plunger or a drain cleaning solution. But if this doesn’t completely solve the issue, you may need to call in a plumbing team to snake the drain. Sometimes, your pipes will break down over time, causing leaks and other issues. A plumbing company will be able to best diagnose what’s wrong with your sink and devise the most effective form of treatment.
- Clogged Toilet
A clogged toilet can certainly be annoying but it can also turn into a big problem overnight, especially if it overflows in your bathroom. In most cases, such an issue is caused by a mixture of waste and toilet paper, but not always. Clogged toilets can also be caused by a more gradual buildup of material in your pipes. First, you should see if a household plunger breaks up the clog. However, hiring a drain cleaning specialist to snake your toilet will likely be necessary if plunging doesn’t do the trick.
- A Running Toilet
Having a toilet that always runs can cause you to incur significant unnecessary water costs. This is because a running toilet may cause 100s of litres of water to be lost in as little as 1 week (yikes!) Usually, the most common cause is when your toilet’s flapper valve isn’t regulating the water in its tank properly. However, it can also be caused by sediment buildup that’s impacting flushing, as well as silent leaks, so having it inspected by a professional is recommended if you can’t easily isolate the problem.
- Leaky Pipes
Your plumbing system relies on a system of pipes to transport fresh water to your home and wastewater away from it. Unfortunately, over time, even the most durable pipes will eventually corrode, break down, or become damaged, causing leaks and forcing the need for plumbing repairs. When you have a leak, fixing it in a timely manner is essential, as leaving leaky pipes unattended can cause costly repairs from flooding and structural damage.
- Backed Up Sewer Systems
Arguably one of the nastier plumbing nightmares, a backed up sewer system can be stinky and cause extensive damage to your home. If all of your drains and toilets are backed up simultaneously and there’s an odor of raw sewage permeating your household, then a sewage backup is likely your problem. This is where things can get sort of tricky, as the source of the issue will determine who is responsible for fixing it.
Contacting your water company (or municipality responsible for water services) is recommended. Although you may still need to hire a plumber to diagnose the issue, you won’t have to pay for it if it is the water company/municipality’s responsibility. Sewage backups are often caused by a clogged main sewer line, tree roots that have grown into your home’s sewage piping, or a broken or collapsed sewage line due to age.
Contact us today for more info about our plumbing services in Kingston and Brockville
For more information about how we can help with your plumbing needs, contact Toshack today online or call us at 1 (888) 547-6162. In addition to our plumbing services, we also offer heating, cooling, and air quality solutions.