Monday, November 10th, 2014
Plumbing Problems – You Got ‘Em. We Fix “Em.
This week, we returned Mom to her snowbird spot in Florida. Upon getting settled in, we found plumbing problems at nearly every turn – two leaky toilet tanks, one clogged hot water line, and one leaky kitchen faucet. Only the washer hoses haven’t broken…yet. Good thing we had a plumber on hand to help Mom out.
Looking back at our fix-it handiwork 8 hours later, we started thinking about the most common plumbing problems. With a little help from the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Information Bureau, we came up with a list:
Improper new faucet installation. Installing a new lavatory or kitchen faucet seems like an easy job, right? Usually, that’s true. Faucet replacements are one of the most common DIY plumbing jobs. But even the most savvy homeowner can run into trouble with faucets.
Clogged drains – In the big list, clogged drains are the second most common plumbing problem. This is also the most easily preventable plumbing problem – help your drains flow by pouring boiling water down them weekly. Never let fats, waxes, or food chunks go down the drain. Fats and waxes will solidify and chunky stuff will create blockages.
Dripping/leaking faucets – As mentioned above, vaucets can be a challenge. Whether it’s a leak around the stem, a constant drip-drip-drip, or an aerator that fills up with stuff we don’t even want to know about, malfunctioning faucets are one of the big reasons people call a plumber.
Malfunctioning garbage disposals – Sometimes, the fix is as simple as pressing the ‘reset’ button on the disposal motor. Other times, the cogs require a hefty push with a broom handle to get them un-jammed. Unless someone’s been dropping silverware or small juice glasses down the drain, disposals are a pretty sturdy device. Keep them in good working order by running copious amounts of cold water during the disposal process and occasionally grinding up lemon and orange peels.
Burst or leaky pipes – We’ve written previously about the amount of damage burst pipes can do. It’s good practice to regularly check under sinks, around fittings, and in basements to spot leaks as early as possible.
Lack of hot water – Is there anything worse than waking up to an unexpected cold shower? The problem can be as easy as a tripped circuit breaker (contact an electrician if this happens frequently) or it could mean the hot water heater has failed completely (see next item on the list).
Failing or leaking water heaters – When a water heater decides to spring a leak, it’s a BIG leak – usually 40-50 gallons. Today, almost all newly installed water heaters have a ‘leak pan’ underneath, with an outlet that connects to a floor drain. If your water heater is more than 8 years old or is sitting directly on the floor, consider upgrading to the modern approach.
Leaking toilets/Running toilets – A leaky toilet can add $$ your annual water bill. Typically, the problem is somewhere in the ‘guts’ that live in the toilet tank…the flapper, the ball cock, etc.
Water You Waiting For? At Allied Reddi-Rooter, we’re on hand 24/7 to resolve any of the problems above or to assist with non-emergency plumbing needs, such as a bathroom or kitchen remode. Or, cleaning grease traps for our business customers. GCall or contact Ray today for a free estimate. 513-396-5300. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service