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Stumbling Block – Understanding Plumbing Problems

Home-ownership should mean that we have matured enough to take care of at least one major responsibility that is not human. One cannot overstate the benefits of owning property, but when the property has problems, it can put a damper on the great choice you have made. One major problem that is often a source of anxiety for many homeowners is plumbing. Read this guide to help you preventing plumbing problems at home.

Plumbing issues are not only a nightmare to take care of, but they can also be extremely expensive. Beyond taking out the plunger and giving blocked drains a go yourself, many homeowners find themselves having to hire a plumber to solve many of the more common issues that can plague a home. However, novice homeowners can deal with plumbers better when they have an understanding their home’s plumbing needs and then if they do have to seek the help of a plumber they can do so feeling a little more prepared.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common plumbing issues that affect homeowners and what you can do to solve them.

Slow Or Clogged Drains

Blocked drains are a common annoyance experienced by Australian homeowners. Hair, grease, oil, and other debris can cake up a pipe and cause it to block. Homeowners can plunge the blockage until the debris breaks free of the pipe or they can use a number of solutions that can be purchased from hardware stores to loosen up the debris and clear the drain. If you do have to enlist a plumber, expect for them to snake your pipes to free stubborn blocks from the sink.

Dripping Under The Sink

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Dripping under the sink is an indication that there is a leak in the plumbing trap. The plumbing trap can be either plastic or metal, and if you look under the sink, it is the tubing that looks like an S, some call it an s-trap. Either way, there might be a leak in the trap itself or in the bottom part of the sink.

Leaking Hose Bibs

Hose bibs are the extensions that come out of the wall that hooks into your washing machine. After a while, rust will cause the metal around the bib to destroy the metal piping and then water leaks from the pipe. If you turn on the washer, you will find that the water sprays everywhere and can cause a lot of damage to your home if not dealt with quickly.

In this instance, seeking the attention of a plumber is important because a lot of times these bibs go into the wall. When water continues to drip on a consistent basis, you can cause water damage in the walls, and if left unchecked, this continued leaking can lead to mould, which causes other problems. Hose bibs typically crack during the extreme weather going from cold and then to hot, but if you find that you have this issue, changing out your hose bibs is a simple fix that can be done by a plumber.

Low Water Pressure

If you are experiencing low water pressure, this can be because, after a while, calcium deposits build up in the pipe. This problem occurs in the faucet aerator and can be addressed by simply cleaning it out. To clean it out, simply remove it, clean out the debris, and replace it.

Loud Pipes In Bathtub

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The pipes in the bathtub make loud noises for a number of reasons. One reason this can happen is if it is accompanied by water coming out the main pipe while the shower is running, then there is a problem in the irrigation pump. A plumber will have to be contacted to fix the problems in the pipe at the faucet.

Plumbing Problems

These are just a few of the major plumbing problems you might run into as a homeowner in Australia. While some of these problems can be handled by the homeowner, when having to go into the walls or dealing with serious blockage issues, homeowners are best to go with an expert. Averting and preventing plumbing issues can prevent expense down the road and help your home to maintain its structural integrity for many years to come.

Gail P
I am a beachy type of person, living in Newport Beach, and oftentimes I’ll go for a swim with my daughter. When I’m bored, I’ll help make package boxes for my little girl’s sticker company on Etsy.