(Part 1)
There are many household plumbing problems that naturally occur as part of having a house with running water. But how do you know whether the problem is serious enough to call in a professional plumber, or if you can fix it yourself? We have compiled a list of common plumbing problems and their solutions so that you can know exactly how serious your plumbing problem, is and when to call a plumber.
If you’re having plumbing problems call your local Sunshine Coast and Bribsane plumbers on 1300 728 122. Our team of highly qualified technicians will have your plumbing system back up and running in no time.
Dripping Tap
One of the most common plumbing problems that almost everyone will come across at some point in their life is a dripping tap. Not only is the sound of water dripping annoying when you’re trying to get to sleep, a constantly dripping tap wastes a significant amount of water, and could end up costing you money.
Luckily, a dripping tap is one of the easiest and most inexpensive plumbing problems to fix. The usual culprit behind a dripping tap is a damaged or dislodged internal washer. This is a simple fix, however, if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing or you don’t have the right tools for the job, you could end up causing more damage to the tap.
One way to help prevent your tap from leaking in the first place is to ensure that you don’t over tighten the tap when turning it off as this can damage the washers.
Running Toilet
Another extremely common plumbing problem is a running toilet. Similarly to a dripping tap, the constant sound of a running toilet can be frustrating. However, the main issue is that a running toilet can waste over 750 litres of water per day which is literally like throwing your money down the toilet.
If you’re not sure if your toilet is running, try putting a small amount of food colouring in the cistern. If the coloured water makes its way into the toilet bowl without flushing, your toilet is running.
The most likely cause of a running toilet is a broken seal on the inlet valve. If this is the case, the inlet valve will generally need to be replaced. Additionally, any other parts affecting the valve should be replaced.
This can be fixed with a basic toilet repair kit, however, once again it is important you know what you’re doing and have the correct tools for the job to ensure that no additional damage is caused to the toilet.
Faulty Hot Water Heater
A faulty hot water system can be one of the most frustrating plumbing problems as one of the main indicators of a faulty system is an unexpected icy cold shower. On average, hot water systems can be expected to last between 10 and 15 years, however, when used incorrectly, hot water systems are likely to prematurely fail.
For example, if you are using a hot water system that is too small for your needs, the system will be working on overdrive to keep up with the hot water demands of your household which will reduce the lifetime of the system. To avoid this it is important to have a correctly sized and professionally installed hot water system.
Other than a complete system breakdown, there are a few other reasons why your hot water system may no longer be producing hot water. In a gas system, it could be a simple case of re lighting the pilot light to get your water back up and running again.
Alternatively, there may be a fault with the thermostat or buildup of sediment that is affecting the system from effectively heating the water. However, except in the simple case of relighting the pilot light, it is always best to hire a professional to fix your hot water system as the combination of water, electricity, and potentially gas makes working with hot water systems highly dangerous if you are not professionally trained to do so.
Blocked Drain
Another commonly occuring household plumbing problem is a blocked drain. If your kitchen sink or bathtub drain has started to take longer to drain than it used to, it could be an indication of a blockage in the pipe that is restricting the water flow.
The main causes of blocked drains in the kitchen is a build up of food scraps or congealed fat. Not only is it frustrating when your kitchen sink won’t drain, a blocked drain can also give off a nasty odour from the trapped rotting food.
Alternatively, if your bathroom drain is blocked it is most likely due to a combination of soap and knotted hair.
Like most plumbing problems, a blocked drain is a problem that will eventually get worse if left unfixed. Similarly to a blocked toilet, a plunger can be useful in clearing blockages in drains. You can also try creating a solution of equal parts baking soda and vinegar and pouring that down the drain to sit overnight. Then simply pour hot water down the drain in the morning to clear away the excess solution.
To prevent blocked drains, you can use a drain guard to minimise the amount of food scraps that go down your kitchen and bathroom sinks.
Whether you have a dripping tap, running toilet, faulty hot water heater, or blocked drain, Sun City Hot Water & Plumbiung can fix it. Call your local Sunshine Coast plumbers at Sun City on 1300 728 122 for all of your plumbing needs.
