Healthy plumbing is a vital aspect of maintaining the health of your home. Unfortunately, several common issues can happen to your plumbing. Many of these problems have common solutions. Read on to learn about common plumbing failure points and the solutions. 

What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues?

Here is a list of the most common plumbing problems.

Dripping Faucet

You know that a dripping faucet is annoying, but did you know it can drain your wallet? Luckily, this issue is usually easy to fix. Often, an O ring or washer needs replacement. You can use a drip calculator online to determine the severity of the issue. 

Drain Clog

An occasional clog is common with plumbing. However, repeat clogs or particularly persistent clogs can indicate a big problem. These clogs can occur from soap, hair, and more. If several drains are clogged or slow in your house, there may be a problem with your sewer line. 

Running Toilet

A running toilet is often the result of internal problems in the toilet. While the sound of a running toilet is distracting, the issue also yields plenty of water waste. 

Water Pressure Problems

Both low and high water pressure can indicate or cause problems with your plumbing. High water pressure can damage pipes, and low water pressure can suggest pipe corrosion, clogs, leaks, and issues with the sewer line. 

Pipe Leak

Leaky pipes can start as a simple issue, but as time goes on, this problem can get very severe if left untreated. They can come from many things, including corrosion, joint damage, clogs, and poorly placed pipes. 

Water Heater Issues

If you turn on your shower and only cold water comes out, you likely have a problem with your water heater. Those problems can happen for several reasons, including corrosion, electrical issues, poor installation, and problems with the heating element. 

Sump Pump Concerns

A sump pump should last for about ten years. If you notice problems with the sump pump, it may come from clogs, switch issues, poor installation, and too much water. 

What Are Common Drain Pipe Problems?

A drain pipe is a pipe that drains water from one part of a building to another. In a home, a drain pipe is usually out of the way in a basement or garage and drains out all the waste products. Here are some problem issues they may have.

Flooding

Flooding is a clear sign that something is wrong with your plumbing. If your drains flood, the drain is likely clogged, or there may be issues with the drainage pipe. 

Slow Draining

Slow draining indicates that clogging may occur. So, if you notice your drains are slow, it is crucial to address the issue before the problem worsens. 

Constant Clogging

An occasional clog can be fine. When you start noticing recurrent clogs, that is when you know there may be a bigger problem. Simultaneous clogs in different parts of the house may indicate a drainage pipe issue. 

Sounds and Smells

Several disruptive sounds and smells can happen from a faulty drainage pipe. You may smell sewer-like smells or hear creaks and clangs. Any of these issues indicate a broken pipe or other problems. 

Plant Roots

Sometimes plumbing problems can come from outside your house. A big job for a tree’s roots is finding water. Unfortunately, if you plant the wrong kind of tree too close to your home, its roots may infiltrate your drainage pipe and cause problems. 

How Do You Diagnose Plumbing Problems?

Here is what you should look for when diagnosing your plumbing system’s exact issue. 

Look for Water Pressure Changes

In general, if you notice any changes in your plumbing, it is vital to take note and call a professional. Water pressure changes are of note. Changes in water pressure can indicate problems close to the faucet or deeper in the plumbing system. 

Pay Attention To Water Bills

If everything seems fine when you look at your faucet and drains, but your water bill suddenly spikes, there may be a problem. A higher bill indicates your plumbing system is using water somewhere. So, a pipe may leak. 

Note Repetitive Dripping

Constant drips from the faucet, especially paired with other problems, can indicate issues from a faulty faucet to deeper underlying problems. 

Consider the Water’s Look and Smell 

Another change to watch out for is strange colors or smells in your water. These indicators suggest there may be rust or build-up in your pipes. Blue or green water indicates copper oxidation. 

What Challenges Do Plumbers Face?

There are several plumbing issues plumbers can easily address. However, some common problems pose a particular challenge for a plumber. You should not try to address these issues on your own. 

Pipes Leaking

A leaky pipe is one of those problems that may seem small and easy for you to fix. However, this issue can worsen if a professional does not address it. 

Deep Clogs

If you observe multiple clogged drains in your home, there is likely a clog deep in your plumbing system. While you can likely handle a small clog in a toilet or a single drain, a plumber should be the one to address deep clogs. 

Water Heater Leaks

A leaky water heater can damage your home and drive up your water bill. Anything concerning your water heater requires the attention of a professional. 

No Hot Water

A lack of hot water is something you should always contact a plumber for. This issue can happen for a few reasons, and a plumber knows to diagnose this issue and treat it. Missing hot water may require the repair of the water heater.

What Can Cause Pipes to Leak?

Leaky pipes are one of the most potentially harmful issues that can happen in plumbing since they can lead to further damage to your property. Several underlying problems can lead to leaky pipes. 

Corrosion

Corrosion is a natural byproduct of age. Prevent corrosion by being diligent in your plumbing upkeep. 

Clogs

Clogs deep in a pipe cause pressure, and that pressure may lead to a lot of damage, including leaky pipes.

Depleted Sealant

Sealant is a vital part of plumbing when sealing connective areas. If sealant degrades over time, it can lead to leaks. 

Poorly Laid Pipes

If pipes are incorrectly laid, it can lead to countless issues, including leaky pipes. 

Tree Roots

Tree roots love water, even if it is in your water lines. As a result, invading roots can break into pipes and cause sewage leaks. 

Issues with Fixtures

Some leaky pipes can be the result of pipes under your sink or behind your toilet encountering impact. Avoid storing too many items near fixture pipes if you want to prevent leaks. 

How Do I Know if My Pipes Are Leaking Under My Floor?

Part of what makes leaky pipes such a big issue is they can be hard to diagnose. However, there are a few signs you can look for that indicate a leaky pipe. 

Wet Areas

One of the most obvious signs you have a leaky pipe is a wet spot inside or outside your home. 

Mold

After wet spots appear, mold and mildew will likely follow. Mold can damage your home and lead to health issues. 

Stains

Even if you do not see visible mold, stains can indicate underlying leaks and the potential for mold to develop. Along with getting plumbing help, you may need drywall repair. 

High Water Bills

With a pipe leak, it uses more water than you are using. As a result, your meter will run even when you are not using your water, and your water bill will rise. 

Bad Smells

Mold is often a visible issue. However, you can also detect mold and water damage with your other senses. If you smell musty or fungal smells, you possibly have a leaky pipe. 

A Cracked Foundation

Some small foundation cracks can happen over time. However, a leaky pipe will likely exacerbate this problem and cause worse results. 

How Can You Tell if Your Sewer Line Is Broken?

Your sewer line may not be a part of your plumbing very visible to you. As a result, you may not consider it when plumbing issues arrive. However, there are a few problems that can indicate a broken sewer line. 

You Smell Bad Odors

Even if you do not see an issue with your sewer line, you may smell one. If your drains emit any smells, especially sewer smells, there may be a problem with your sewer line. 

Increase in Pests

If a sewer line leaks, it may release material that attracts pests, such as rodents and insects. 

Slow Drainage and Clogs

Since multiple clogs indicate an issue in your home’s deep plumbing, that deep issue may be in your sewer line. Slow drainage throughout your home can indicate future clogs. 

Happy Garden

If patches of your garden are suddenly robustly growing, your sewer line may be broken and feeding your garden. 

Final Thoughts

Plumbing problems can be complex and require professional attention. However, if you understand your plumbing system and know what to look for, you can know when your plumbing system needs help.