A survey of 2,000 US homeowners showed that 30% had plumbing issues. These were issues that could not be ignored, like other household repairs.
Most homeowners should expect to run into some plumbing problems at some point. It’s bound to happen since the plumbing is such a central component of a home.
The good news is that there are common issues that you can look for. If you ever see these plumbing issues in your home, you will know what to do and whom to call.
Keep reading to learn about some of the most common household plumbing issues.
1. Slow Drains
Many homeowners complain about having to deal with slow drains in their homes. You may automatically assume that this is normal, but healthy pipes should not drain slowly.
Pipes in good shape should not struggle to drain or fill up before they drain completely. If this happens, it could indicate a more severe issue with your plumbing.
Slow-draining pipes are usually the result of something clogging up your pipes. It may not necessarily obstruct your pipes, but it can build up along them.
When this happens, your pipes will still be functional, but they will not be efficient. This results in slow-draining pipes that will worsen if not repaired.
Homeowners that notice slow drains should act as soon as possible. Slow drainage is not usually a serious problem, but it will not disappear without assistance.
Clogging that can cause slow draining can be the result of the following:
- Grease
- Food waste
- Hair or skin products
2. Clogging
Another one of these plumbing issues is frequent clogging. If your drains repeatedly get clogged, it can be very frustrating.
Clogging is more severe than drains that are simply draining slowly. Those issues still allow you to use your drains, while a clog must be fixed before anyone can use the drain.
Bathroom drains are the most common areas where clogging occurs. This is often due to hair and skin care products that are washed down the drains and start to build up, creating a blockage.
Hair can also wash down a shower drain and create clogging issues. If you have a few tools to fish out visible debris, you can fix some of these issues on your own.
Things like hairballs can be pulled out, and you may be able to use a drain cleaner to cut through the build-up. But there are instances where you may need to hire a professional to do this for you.
If the clog is deep down in the pipe, you cannot access it. It is better to hire a professional if you have a badly clogged drain rather than trying to fix it yourself.
3. Flooding
Another one of these drain problems is flooding. No homeowner wants to deal with flooding, but it can happen if you have plumbing issues.
Plumbing issues can occur when the sink drain is not working and the water rises. The water may not be draining at all, or it may appear to drain only to come back up the pipe to fill the sink or bathtub.
It is not wise for homeowners to ignore these types of plumbing problems. Flooding can make your drains completely unusable until the issue is resolved.
Flooding can also become more severe if the water spreads to other areas of the home. You will want to contact a professional as soon as possible to determine what is causing the problem.
4. Bad Odors
If you smell something bad coming from your drains, this is another issue that should be addressed. Bad odors are prevalent in kitchen drains since food is often washed down them.
Pollutants can build up in your drain, creating an odor that seeps into your home. Food debris could also be stuck along the pipes or cause a blockage.
If the odor smells like sewage, this could indicate a much more severe problem. If you ever smell a foul odor from your drains, you should check it out as soon as possible.
5. Noises
If you hear noises coming from a bathroom drain or kitchen drain, this could be a bad sign. Noisy drains are abnormal and usually mean something isn’t working as it should.
The most common cause for noisy drains is a broken pipe. It will rattle around and make strange noises when you are trying to use your drains.
Pipes could be loose, or there could be other issues that are causing noises. No matter the cause, it is always a good idea to get it checked out if you notice anything out of the ordinary.
6. Leaky Pipes
Any leak in your home needs to be taken care of immediately. Leaky pipes can cause significant damage if they are not repaired.
This damage to your home might include the following:
- Soaking into wood
- Causing mold
- Leaving water stains
- Leaking into other areas
Many things can cause pipes to leak, including damaged pipes or loose connections. Some of these issues you can fix yourself, but that may not always be the case.
Contact Us To Resolve Your Plumbing Issues
If you are a homeowner, there are some common plumbing issues you should be aware of. These drain problems may start very mild but can become more severe.
Do you need to hire a plumber to check out your home’s plumbing? Contact us today at Millwood Plumbing to request a quote.