10 Common Plumbing Problems (and How to Troubleshoot Them)
Of all the things in our homes that we take for granted — plumbing probably tops the list.
From brushing our teeth and flushing the toilet to our warm morning shower, we don’t actually realize how much we rely on our plumbing system … until water pressure suddenly drops out mid-shower or you notice a horrible smell coming from your sink!
No need to panic though — plumbing problems are more common than you’d think. And most of them can either be solved with a few household tools and a little know-how, or the help of a local (and affordable!) professional plumber in Maple Grove.
How Maple Grove homeowners can fix their most common plumbing problems
1 - Leaky faucet repairs
That constant drip, drip, drip from your bathroom faucet isn’t just an annoyance when you’re trying to get to sleep, it’s a waste of money too .
A single leaky faucet could add as much as 10% to your annual water bill.
A leaky faucet is usually a sign that there’s a problem with the washer that forms the seal on the tap, which might have become damaged, dislodged, or stiff. Luckily this is one problem you can solve yourself if you have the time and patience. That said, it is easier with specialist tools so don’t hesitate to contact your local Maple Grove plumber if you’d rather have a little help.
Switch off the water supply to the dripping faucet, disassemble to access the faulty washer and replace it with a new one, and then reassemble.
2 - Leaky pipe repairs
Leaky pipes are common due to natural wear and tear, damage, and even high water pressure. And if not dealt with promptly, they can cause serious damage to your home. So regularly check visible pipes and be alert for early signs of dampness around the pipe area, or visible rusting on the pipe itself.
A damaged or faulty joint is the most common culprit and while some leaky pipes might be an easy fix, this is one problem that can sometimes prove more complex than it first appears. Our advice would be to call a professional unless you already have a decent amount of plumbing experience.
While you’re waiting for assistance, creating a watertight seal by applying pipe repair rubber tape to the problem area when the water supply is switched off, is a good temporary fix.
3 - Frozen pipe repairs
Suspect one of your pipes might be frozen? It’s a common problem during the harsh Twin Cities winter months and can often be prevented by setting your thermostat to kick in whenever the outside temperature drops to a certain level. It’s also a good idea to shut off the water supply to outbuildings during winter when it’s not in use.
If you suspect you have a frozen pipe, try to thaw it slowly by wrapping it in a towel soaked in hot water.
If you’re too late and the water freezing and thawing inside your pipe has caused it to burst, turn off the main water supply and your heating system and then open all your faucets to drain the system, saving some water in a bucket for hand washing and flushing the toilet. Turn the faucets off again when the water stops running.
Use towels to soak up any remaining water and if you’re unsure how to assess or fix the damaged pipe, call in a plumber who will take care of everything for you.
4 - Low water pressure
Don’t make your morning shower a Wim Hof experience (unless it’s intentional, of course!)
If your warm shower suddenly turns into an unwanted Wim Hof experience, or your power shower is down to a trickle, you almost certainly have a low water pressure problem.
The first thing to do here is to check in with your neighbors to see if they’re having the same issues you are. That’s a sure sign that the low pressure is caused by a water main problem. If the problem is isolated to your property it could be down to a leaky pipe (see no. 2 above for more on that) or even a build-up of minerals and sediment in the pipes, faucet aerators, or showerheads slowing the water flow.
If you suspect build-up, try cleaning your faucet aerators or showerheads by filling a plastic bag with vinegar and tying it over the faucet/showerhead so it sits in the vinegar overnight.
Installing a filtration system can help prevent future build-up.
5 - Clogged shower or drains
If you find you’re standing in several inches of soapy water a couple of minutes into your morning shower, it’s time for a routine drain unclogging!
There are several methods you can use to unclog your bath or shower drain. The easiest is using a plumber’s snake, an inexpensive tool you can pick up from your local hardware store, or a plunger. Alternatively, you could use a chemical unblocking treatment that you pour down the drain to dissolve any hair and soap that’s causing the blockage.
A NOTE OF WARNING: Chemical products can pose environmental and health risks and can damage pipes with repeated use so we would recommend the plunger/plumber’s snake options first.
6 - Clogged bathroom or kitchen sink
In the bathroom, tangled hair and soap can cause a slow-running sink, while in the kitchen it’s small food particles that can cause the problems.
Again, your plumber’s snake is going to be your first port of call but you could also try pouring a baking soda and vinegar mix down the drain to help dissolve soap or food deposits.
The important thing — when it’s a clogged sink, bath, or shower — is to address the problem early before it becomes too big a problem. Better still, invest in drain guards to help prevent hair, soap, and food remnants from entering the drain in the first place.
7 - Clogged toilets
If the water isn’t draining from your toilet bowl, it’s your plunger’s time to shine! Not the most pleasant job, but a plunger — or even a sewer snake — should be able to loosen the build-up of paper and human waste that cause the clogs.
8 - Running toilet
Less disgusting than a clogged toilet, a running toilet is still a problem you’ll need to fix because the constantly running water is going to be another drain on your finances (and the noise is pretty annoying too).
A running toilet could be down to a few issues, like an ill-fitting flapper valve, an imbalanced float, or a leak.
To find out what the problem is, you’ll have to check each component in turn. Leaks are hard to spot but you can check for them by adding food coloring to the upper tank and waiting to see if the color will leak through to the bowl without flushing.
If you think the flapper valve is the issue, you can pick up a toilet repair kit from any home improvement store. These are easy to use and should fit most standard toilet models.
If you’re still not sure what the problem is, or you’ve replaced faulty components and the toilet is still running, you’ll want to call in a plumber to find out what’s going on.
9 - Overflowing gutters
Overflowing gutters don’t just ruin your lawn; they can also seriously affect the foundations of your home.
Prevention is far better than cure here so it’s worth regularly inspecting your gutters to check for debris and potential blockages and if you live in an area where there are a lot of falling leaves, think about installing wire mesh over the gutters to protect them from the debris that causes them to overflow.
10 - Water heater repairs and maintenance
Another unexpected cold shower? If it’s not a water pressure issue, it could be a problem with your water heater.
Your first task here is to check the pilot light — if it’s gone out, relighting it should solve the problem. It’s also worth checking the temperature setting to make sure it’s set where it should be.
For anything else, call a plumber. Water heating systems are complex and repairs can be expensive — especially when DIY jobs go wrong — so calling in a professional can often translate to a cheaper fix than trying to muddle through yourself.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 8 ways to make your water heater last longer
There’s no plumbing problem we can’t handle!
It’s always a relief when you can fix a problem yourself, quickly and inexpensively. But don’t ever feel like a job is too small for a professional to tackle. Whether you worry you don’t have the right skills, or you just don’t have the time, we’re more than happy to help folks in the Maple Grove, Bloomington Edina, and Minnetonka areas with their plumbing issues.
