Even if you take impeccable care of your home and plumbing components, you’re bound to face common plumbing problems at some point.
Whether you are getting stuck with cold showers, listening to an annoying dripping faucet, or seeing water pooling in a drain, our plumbing and gas experts are here to help.
Here is a list of the top 10 common house plumbing problems to watch out for, along with tips on how to prevent them and what to do if you experience one.
Top 11 Common Plumbing Problems
1. Blocked Drain
Have you noticed the water is slow to drain out of your tub or sink? This almost always indicates a blockage.
In shower drains, loose strands of hair can quickly accumulate and lead to a blockage. In the kitchen, solidified grease and oil, along with food debris, are common blockage culprits.
To prevent blocked drains:
- Use a hair catcher in your shower
- Avoid letting grease or food debris down the drain
- Remove food particles and cooking debris before placing dishes and utensils in the sink
- Use an anti-grease solution to deep clean the pipes
- Keep a drain snake on hand to remove simple blockages
When in doubt, contact the experts at Provista Plumbing and Gas. We are always here to answer any questions and provide guidance if you are experiencing a plumbing issue.
2. Clogged Toilet
Clogged toilets are another common plumbing issue. In simple cases, you can use a plunger to clear the blockage.
Typically, clogged toilets are a DIY fix and do not require professional assistance. However, if your sewer or water backs up in your home, you’ll need to call an emergency plumber immediately.
To keep your toilet working properly, only flush toilet paper. Avoid flushing:
- Cleansing wipes
- Hygiene items
- Grease
- Food
- Trash
- Paper towels
- Tissues
- Baby wipes
- Medications
3. Leaky Faucet
Dripping water is annoying, but it can also lead to wasted water, higher water bills, and serious damage if left ignored.
Excess water from leaks does more than waste money. Leaking faucets can also cause rot, mould, and rust, putting your health and the condition of your home at risk.
The good news? Usually fixing a leaky faucet is fairly straightforward. Many times, replacing the O-rings is all it takes to stop the dripping.
Other times, the entire fixture may need to be replaced. Even top-of-the-line fixtures fail eventually due to normal wear and tear. A dripping faucet may also be the result of pipes that need to be tightened or parts needing to be replaced.
Not comfortable replacing O-rings? No worries! There is no job too big or too small for our team. If you have a dripping faucet, our licensed plumbers can pinpoint the problem, perform necessary repairs, and get your faucet working perfectly again.
4. Dripping Toilet
Has your water bill mysteriously gone up? Or have you noticed an odd noise because your toilet is running in an attempt to fill up the tank?
A dripping toilet is more complicated to repair than a clogged toilet. Toilet leaks can be difficult to pinpoint but may be a result of:
- A faulty flapper valve (a relatively easy fix that can be completed using a toilet repair kit)
- Sediment build-up
- A busted wax seal
If your toilet is leaking and you cannot detect the leak yourself, call in a licensed plumber for help. Along with being unsanitary, running toilets can waste dozens of gallons of water a day.
5. Low Water Pressure
Is your showerhead barely putting out water? Or is your faucet water pressure noticeably weak?
Fortunately, weak water pressure is often an easy DIY plumbing fix. Low water pressure from a showerhead or faucet tends to be the result of built-up calcium deposits.
To dissolve the build-up, you can replace the faucet or showerhead or soak the fixture in a commercial solution meant to dissolve lime and calcium. Check the water valve as well to make sure it isn’t partially closed.
If the DIY fixes fail to address low water pressure, it’s time to call in a plumber. You’ll also want to call a professional if you are experiencing low water pressure throughout the entire household. This indicates a more serious issue within the plumbing system and requires evaluation by a licensed plumber.
6. No Hot Water
Lack of hot water can be a significant issue, especially in homes with elderly individuals or infants. Water heater problems typically indicate an underlying issue that demands professional evaluation. Trying DIY repairs for a broken water heater can lead to damage to the unit or injury.
Water heater problems can be the result of:
- Bacteria
- Normal wear and tear
- A heating element needs to be replaced.
- Sediment, rust, or corrosion
If your hot water is unreliable, contact a professional to pinpoint the issue and perform necessary repairs.
7. Leaking Roof
If you are experiencing a leaky roof, it’s time to call a professional roof plumber. An expert can assess the issue and make immediate repairs to prevent costly water damage.
A tiny roof leak can be enough to lead to serious water damage and expensive repairs, so contact a plumber as soon as you notice a roof leak.
8. Leaking Showers
A leaking shower may indicate an underlying issue that needs to be addressed immediately. Whether the wall is leaking or a seal isn’t working properly, a plumber can evaluate the shower leak, make necessary repairs, and prevent water damage.
9. Backed Up Sewer
A sewer backup is often a result of a blockage. This serious health and sanitation issue puts your health and home at risk of extensive damage. A backed-up sewer is a plumbing emergency that requires immediate professional attention. Call a plumber right away in the event of a sewer backup.
10. Gas Leaks
It’s colourless and invisible but is one of the most dangerous problems a homeowner can face: Gas leaks.
Although gas leaks can’t be seen, you may notice a rotten egg smell near a gas appliance if it is leaking.
The rule with gas leaks is Better Safe Than Sorry. When in doubt, you’ll want to call a Plumbing and Gas expert immediately and get out of the house. You’ll also want to turn off your gas appliances, open the windows, and avoid using any of your electric appliances.
Along with the smell of sulphur, be on the lookout for:
- Increased gas bills
- A hissing sound
- Family members feeling unwell (this could be a result of gas exposure and carbon monoxide poisoning)
Again, if you suspect a gas leak, call for help immediately. Our licensed Plumbing and Gas experts at Provista are dedicated to keeping you, your home, and your family safe. We’ll walk you through what to do and send an expert technician to help you right away.
11. Water Line Break
If a public water line breaks, your municipality will be responsible for taking care of it. But if the delivery line to your house from the public main breaks, you are responsible for fixing it.
Main water line leaks or breaks are emergency plumbing problems and require immediate professional attention. Both of these scenarios require serious equipment and professional repair. Call a plumber right away for advice on what action to take.
Dealing With Gas or Plumbing Issues?
If you are struggling with gas or plumbing problems, please do not hesitate to call our skilled, dedicated team. We know it can be difficult to decide if you can fix a plumbing problem yourself or if you should leave it to a professional plumber.
We’re always happy to help you decide if a problem is something you can tackle or if it requires professional evaluation. Our only goal here at Provista is to keep you safe and comfortable and make sure you are satisfied with our professional plumbing and gas services. Contact us anytime, with any questions.