Plumbing Problems

All of us have encountered some or the other distressing plumbing problem in our lives. Blessed are the people who never had to watch the sight of clogged drains, dripping faucets, flooded toilets or broken pipes spraying water in all possible directions. Worst is the situation, when you have to call a plumber and he charges you a hefty amount for a few minutes work. But you can easily save the charges of the plumber by fixing the minor problems at home and that too in very less time. For this, you first need to understand the working of a plumbing system and the common problems that arise.

Working of a Plumbing System
Plumbing system is the system that brings in freshwater and takes the waste water out of your home. It is not a single system but a collection of systems that work independently or collectively in some cases. Water is supplied to your home under pressure through the water supply system. It comprises galvanized steel or copper pipes that carry water to faucets, plumbing fixtures, outdoor hose bibs, sprinklers etc. Drainage or waste plumbing system does not work under pressure like the supply system. Gravity is the only force that moves the waste to the sewage or septic system.

Common Plumbing Problems and the Solutions to Fix Them
Most common plumbing problems arise as the excessive usage tends to worn out the parts in the faucets and fixtures. Blockages, in the path of sewage water is one reason of drainage clogging.

Blockages in the trap or pipe also cause flooding of toilets. Though, a plunger or a pump can come in handy to get rid of most of the blockage problems, a bit knowledge is needed for some advanced plumbing problems.

Dripping Faucet
A leaking or dripping faucet is an indication that a washer has worn out and needs replacement. The washers or seals of compression faucets are constantly under pressure so they wear out pretty frequently. If they are not fixed on time, they may lead to corrosion of fixtures, staining of sink bowls and wastage of water. Since, disc, cartridge, and ball faucets are washerless they are less prone to dripping as compared to compression faucets. But they do have moving parts which are sealed by O-rings which need replacement occasionally. Thus, most of the dripping problems with faucets are associated with the wearing out of the part, depending upon the type of faucet.

Scaled up Shower Head
Hard water is often responsible for the scaling of showers. The salts in hard water accumulate and form a layer on the shower head, making it impossible for the water to come out. So, if you have to use hard water, make sure you choose a shower head with a rubber faceplate. This helps to rub and scale away particles regularly. A quick fix for a badly clogged shower head is to detach the faceplate and soak it in white vinegar overnight. A toothpick or a stiff nailbrush can be used to clear the loose scales.

Bathtub Spa Jets Don't Work
If your bathtub spa jets suddenly stop working, check the electrical panel's circuit breaker to see if it has tripped. If it has tripped, it will require manual resetting. If that does not help, check your manual to see if the pump has a 'high limit manual reset' or a separate circuit breaker on the equipment. If it has either of these, see if resetting helps. If the problem persists, switch off the spa's electrical circuit and call a repair person.

Toilet Plumbing Problems
If the water doesn't drain out of the WC fast enough when you flush, it means there is some blockage in the trap or in the pipe from the toilet to the soil stack. A toilet plunger is all you need to fix this problem. You can also get wire snakes or augers to dislodge blockages. They are easily available at the hire shops.

Clearing a Clogged Drain
If your drain is moving slowly, it could be an onset of a clog or the vent system has a blockage. You can always opt for a chemical drain cleaner to open a slow-moving drain, but the caustic nature of the chemicals can damage certain kind of pipes. It may also interfere with the chemical balance of the septic system. In cases of fully clogged drains, the caustic solution that regurgitates into the bathtub or sink can burn your skin and make it dangerous to plunge or use a snake to clear the drain. Hence, you should be careful about the method you use to clear the clog. You can plunge the drain or use a snake at the fixture to clear the clog. If this doesn't solve your problem, you can connect a hydraulic bladder to a garden hose, and then try to explode the clog.

These were just some DIY tips and quick fixes you can try at home for minor plumbing problems. However, in case of a major problem you should always rely on professional help. Tampering with boilers or radiators without adequate knowledge is not a good idea.