Plumbing problems are unavoidable, over time they will happen in every home. It might be caused by natural aging or just because of the way your plumbing system was utilized and cared for. You will find in this article some common plumbing problems found by home inspectors and what causes them.
Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure problems can significantly affect your daily life. Filling up the washing machine and taking a bath becomes more time-consuming if you are dealing with low pressure.
Sometimes, major plumbing issues can result from low water pressure like drain or sewage clogs, water leaks, blocked sewer lines, and pipe corrosion.
Water Heater Problems
Having hot water at home is very important, and issues with your water heater can significantly affect how your household functions. There are minor and major issues that cause water heater problems, but you have to make sure that your circuit breaker is turned off. Common causes for water heater issues are:
- The type and size of the system do not match what the home needs
- The water heater was not installed properly
- Electrical connections that are broken or loose
- The system has sediment buildup and corrosion
- Failures in the heating element
Sump Pump Failure
A sump pump is an essential emergency tool to drain water from your home. Just like your fire extinguisher and first aid kit, you might not need it every day, but it is a big help in an emergency. Here are some of the causes of sump pump failure:
- The sump pump was not installed correctly
- Your sump pump is too old to function well
- Pipes are clogged
- Too much rain
- Switches are stuck
Slow or Clogged Drains
Clogged drains are the most common plumbing issue. If not fixed immediately, it may cause health hazards. If it is just a single slow or clogged drain in a home, this likely means that it is an isolated problem. Most of the time, this will be caused by foreign objects, soap, or hair. The best solution is to consistently clean your drain and ensure that there are drain guards in all sinks to prevent clogging.
If there appear to be multiple drains that are clogged, this might signify a sewage problem. For a sewage problem, it would be best to get a professional to help you get it fixed.
Leaky Pipes
There are different kinds of leaky pipes. Some are major leaks that could damage your entire home and some are minor leaks that you could fix quickly on your own. Here are some causes of leaky pipes:
- Cracked seals and pipes
- Excessive water pressure
- Damaged pipe joints
- Pipe corrosion
- Constant clogs
Leaky pipes should be addressed immediately to prevent a small leak from becoming a major issue. If leaky pipes are left unfixed for a long time, it can cause hazardous structural damage.
Dripping Faucets
Dripping faucets are wasteful, costly, and annoying. There are many different reasons why a faucet might be dripping, and some of these you can quickly fix if you are somewhat handy. Sometimes, you might have to replace faucets that are not appropriately installed, or it might be enough to replace a washer or o-ring that is worn out.
- Leaking Hose Bib
Hose bib leaks are very common, especially for uninsulated hose bibs that are subjected to major temperature changes.
At times, it could be enough to replace the compression washer to allow the stem to close correctly and stop the dripping. Another option is to replace the packing string wrapped around the valve stem. This should prevent water leaks around the faucet handle. If neither of these fixes solves the issue, it might be necessary to replace the entire faucet.
- Running Toilets
Running toilets are a widespread cause of water waste. According to one estimate, the average leaking toilet wastes 200 gallons of water per day. These are some of the reasons why it happens:
- Toilet handles are corroded
- The flapper chains size is wrong
- Flush valves or flapper seals are already worn out
- Issues with the refill tube
These are the common plumbing issues that your home inspector can discover. Your home inspector might be able to tell you if the plumbing issue has a quick fix or if there is a need to hire a professional plumber to take care of it.
You might find these other articles interesting: To DIY or Not to DIY – That is the Question and How To Replace a Faucet – Even If You Aren’t Handy.