Common Plumbing Issues
Plumbing problems are one of the top reasons homeowners turn to the internet for answers. Most of the time, they are minor issues that you can quickly fix at home. You should use your best judgment, however, as some things might require the expertise of a professional plumber. You could end up doing more damage if you try to make repairs when you don’t know what you are doing.
Top 5 Plumbing Questions Answered
You’ve got questions – we’ve got answers. The following are answers to some of the most commonly asked plumbing questions.
1. Why Is My Toilet Running?
You might have thought that by now, the age-old question “why is my toilet running?” might have been solved, but it is still one of the top questions asked by homeowners. It’s usually a simple fix, but dealing with a running toilet can be quite frustrating, especially if it keeps waking you up in the middle of the night. Not to mention, it can also run your water bill up. Before you go pulling your hair out, take a deep breath, and take a peek in the tank behind the toilet. The usual culprit is the toilet flapper. It may not be closing or properly sealing around the flush valve. If this seems to be the case, you can try making a few adjustments, or just replace the flapper entirely. If the toilet is still running after ensuring the flapper is closing correctly, you may need to call a plumber to investigate further.
2. Why Is My Faucet Dripping?
Next to the toilet running, a dripping faucet is the second most frustrating issue that homeowners deal with. Similar to a running toilet, if a leaking or dripping faucet is not handled quickly, it could hike up your water bill. Though most people think a leaky faucet can be repaired by simply tightening some hardware, this is usually not the case. The most common reason is a worn-out washer or O ring, though things like corrosion and other broken or worn out parts can also be the issue. Most homeowners can fix the issue themselves if it’s just a worn-out washer. However, if you aren’t sure what the problem is or just aren’t comfortable attempting to fix it yourself, call up a plumber. For them, fixing leaky faucets is a breeze and shouldn’t cost you that much money.
3. Why Won’t My Sink or Bathtub Drain?
Sinks and tubs or showers that are slow to drain or that are stopped up entirely are typically a result of some sort of build-up in the drain. Over time a mixture of soap scum, hair, and styling products will get trapped by the stopper or get stuck to the walls of the pipes, making it hard for water to get through. Most homeowners can take care of the clog themselves by unscrewing and cleaning off the stopper. If that still doesn’t solve the issue, there may be a clog further down that you can fish out using a simple, inexpensive drain or hair snake. You can purchase these easily online or at your local hardware store. If cleaning the hair and debris out still doesn’t work, you might need to resort to a more heavy-duty chemical drain cleaner.
4. Why Does My Garbage Disposal Smell?
Have you ever walked into your home only to be overwhelmed by a less than pleasant smell coming from the kitchen? If it’s not coming from something rotten in your fridge or from the trash that needs to be taken out, then it is likely the garbage disposal. Luckily, garbage disposal odors, though quite unpleasant, are usually easy to get rid of and don’t require calling a plumber.
The first thing you should do is scrub the visible rubber part of the disposal where it meets the sink. This can easily be done with your usual scrub brush or dish sponge and some dish soap. Next, plug the drain and let the sink fill with water, then add a bit of dish soap or vinegar. After the sink has filled, pull out the stopper, and let all of the water run down the drain while activating the disposal. Once all of the water has drained, grind up a few ice cubes along with a half a cup of salt in the disposal.
After taking these steps, your garbage disposal should be nice and clean. However, if you want to go the extra mile, you can drop a few drops of lemon essential oil into the disposal, or toss in a few lemon peels and grind them up.
5. Why Is My Water Pressure Low?
Though it’s not the top plumbing question homeowners tend to ask about, dealing with low water can be just as frustrating as a running toilet, if not more. Nothing is worse than going to take a shower after a long day only to have a weak spray emitting from the pipes. While low water pressure can be a sign of a more severe issue, like broken sewer lines, pipe corrosion, or a leak somewhere in the home, it could be something a little more simple. Before you panic, try giving your shower head and sink aerators a good soak. The low pressure could simply be a result of sediment and mineral build-up on the aerators. A simple mixture of water and vinegar should do the trick. If you are still experiencing low pressure after that, you should call a plumber immediately.
How PNW Plumbers Can Help
At PNW Plumbers, customer satisfaction and quality service are our priorities. We want your plumbing experience to be as stress-free as possible. Our experienced technicians can handle any job, big or small. From repairs and replacements to full installations, we’ve got you covered. Contact PNW Plumbers in Portland, OR, today to see how we can help with your plumbing issues!