Home plumbing systems usually work the way they’re supposed to without giving much trouble. Whether you’re running the dishwasher or washing machine, filling the bathtub with water, or simply washing your hands, you probably don’t have to give those actions a second thought. Still, no home is invulnerable to plumbing issues regardless of its age or how well it’s maintained.
Exploring Common Plumbing Problems
If you’re like most people, you may ignore certain plumbing problems. People generally figure that if their plumbing system is still working for them, there’s no reason to hire a plumber for seemingly insignificant issues. Unfortunately, those minor problems can grow into major malfunctions if they’re not taken care of as quickly as possible. Take a look at the following seven plumbing issues people tend to overlook but shouldn’t.
1) Running Toilets
Running toilets are among the most common plumbing problems people tend to ignore. It’s best to have this type of issues resolved as soon as possible, though. If your toilet runs constantly or intermittently for no apparent reason, that’s a sign of underlying issues, such as a worn flapper, a damaged fill valve, or a malfunctioning overflow tube. A single running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day. That’s 200 gallons you ultimately pay for.
2) Leaky Faucets
Leaky faucets often go ignored as well. Though they can certainly be annoying, they don’t really seem to interfere with a home’s plumbing system. As is the case with a running toilet, though, they can waste a great deal of water. Those leaks grow worse over time as well, gradually taking an increasing toll on a faucet’s internal components.
3) Clogged Drains
People also have a habit of ignoring clogged drains for far too long. There’s certainly no harm in handling an occasional clog on your own with a plunger, drain snake, or other measures. If clogs or slow drainage is an ongoing problem or affects more than one drain in your home, though, that’s a surefire sign of serious issues with your plumbing system, and it shouldn’t be left to its own devices.
4) Leaking Plumbing Connections
Many people ignore leaking plumbing connections too. Those could include the supply lines running from a water pipe to a washing machine or dishwasher or the drain lines that take water away from an appliance to name a few. Even very minor leaks can cause significant damage to walls and floors over time. They won’t resolve themselves, either. In fact, they’ll only grow worse.
5) Reduced Hot Water
People may overlook a decline in hot water as well. They may think that they’re simply using more hot water than usual or failing to give their water heater enough time to reheat water between showers, washing dishes, doing laundry, and other tasks. Don’t make the mistake of making assumptions like that. A decline in hot water could indicate any number of issues from a faulty heating element to a malfunctioning thermostat and beyond. If you ignore a problem like this for too long, you’ll eventually find yourself without any hot water at all.
6) Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure is yet another issue that frequently goes ignored. While it’s common for a home’s water pressure to temporarily drop when multiple faucets or appliances are in use, it shouldn’t be an ongoing problem. If your water pressure is consistently lower than it once was, you may have a leak or corroded or clogged pipes, and those issues need to be repaired immediately to prevent further damage.
7) Malfunctioning Garbage Disposals
Some people are quick to work around a broken garbage disposal. They simply find other ways to dispose of their scraps. Ignoring a disposal that won’t run can lead to major problems, though, and it doesn’t take long for a situation like that to deteriorate. If your disposal won’t run, it’ll only take a few days for the affected sink to start backing up. If your dishwasher drains through the disposal, it won’t be able to drain properly, either. As a result, it’ll start spilling water across your kitchen floor.
Having Plumbing Issues Resolved Quickly
Everyone experiences plumbing issues at times. Some problems are minor and easily resolved whereas others grow worse over time and can get out of hand. If you experience any of the plumbing problems mentioned here, don’t ignore them. Call a plumber right away to have them resolved as quickly as possible.
