Why Do I Get Leaks in My Plumbing System?
One of the significant plumbing issues you might face includes plumbing leaks. What causes this problem to happen? The most common causes involve the following:
- Water line corrosion from hard water or acidic chemicals
- Settling home that slowly forces pipes to shift
- Water pressure that is over 80 psi
These are the most likely issues that can lead to leaks, and they can cause your system to lose gallons of water until a professional from Videtta Heating and Plumbing detects and repairs the leak. An expert plumber can also determine the cause of the leak and help prevent this plumbing issue from happening again.
What Issues Can Cause Your Plumbing System to Get Clogged Up?
Clogs are one of the most common plumbing problems occurring in homes. Your drains might slow down, or you might even discover overflowing water in your sinks, tub, toilet, or shower. The most surprisingly simple things that contribute to the development of plumbing clogs can include the following:
Hair: The natural shedding that occurs while washing your hair or your pets can quickly accumulate in shower and tub drains, causing it to drain slowly or clog completely.
Soap scum: The residual remnants of rinsed-away soap can collect on clumps of hair in the drain, creating a massive block.
Grease, food, and coffee grounds: It is a common misconception that you can rinse grease down the drain with hot water. In reality, the fats and oils solidify in cold water and combine with food and rinsed-away debris in the drain.
Sanitary items, dental floss, etc: Never flush or attempt to rinse items like these into the plumbing and drain system, as they will create plumbing clogs very quickly.
You can prevent many of these plumbing problems by taking a few simple precautions. For example, brush your hair before stepping into the shower, and pour grease into a sealed container and dispose of it in the rubbish bin.
How to Fix Plumbing Leak or Clog Issues
If you have concerns about potential plumbing leaks or clogs, you might try one or more home remedies before seeking professional assistance. Let’s take a look at some of the steps you can take before reaching out to local experts about your plumbing problems:
- Check for a leaky faucet: A dripping faucet could mean the fixture needs replacement to prevent running up a higher-than-usual water bill. Valves and seals inside the faucet can corrode or malfunction over time, requiring new parts or a whole new faucet fixture.
- Listen for running toilets: The flushing mechanisms inside of the toilet can occasionally falter, causing the water to run constantly, which will add to your typical monthly water usage. Sometimes, this problem is as simple as a crooked seal in the tank.
- Clean drain stoppers: In some cases, removing a clog can be as simple as cleaning a dirty stopper. Remove any built-up debris and hair before placing the stopper back in the drain.
- Try a plumbing snake: You can use a small, sturdy wire with a hooked end or a plumbing snake to pull out any hair that is blocking the drain.
- Mix baking soda and vinegar: Depending on the severity of the clog, you can try running some hot water down the drain, then pour a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar in. Let this mixture sit for at least ten minutes before running more hot water.
While these troubleshooting steps can help solve various problems with plumbing and sewer lines, some issues require professional equipment and expertise. When you need expert help, our team at Videtta Heating & Plumbing can help.
Whether you need your pipes unclogged or a quick fix for a leaking faucet with poor water pressure – Call the experts at Videtta Heating & Plumbing today at 07482 873868 to schedule an appointment.
