Plumbing repair involves fixing the pipes, fixtures, and appliances that deliver water and gas to your home. This includes toilets, sinks, showers, dishwashers, and water heaters.
Clearwater Plumbers deal with many common problems, including clogged drains and leaky pipes. Often, these issues require more than just a quick fix and can cause major disruptions to your daily life.
Clogged drains and pipes are a serious problem that can cause water to back up into other fixtures in your home or business. They can also lead to significant damage and increase your utility bills. Addressing a clogged drain as soon as you notice it is a good way to prevent more costly repair work down the line.
You can try some basic DIY remedies for drain clogs, but you should call a professional plumber when your clogged drain is still causing problems after several attempts to unclog it. Some tips for avoiding future drain clogs include running hot water down the drain after every use and using a drain stopper or strainer to catch larger debris before it goes down the drain.
Most drain clogs can be addressed with a plunger. These can be found at any home improvement or hardware store for less than $10. Use the plunger to try to dislodge the clog, and add water as needed to create more suction. For more difficult clogs, it may be necessary to use a wire drain snake. These are much more powerful than regular snakes and have more aggressive tips for breaking up or hooking a clog for removal.
Many clogs occur because of fat, oil and grease that solidify in the pipes and block off flow. Mineral buildup is another common culprit, especially in homes with hard water. Paper products like toilet tissue, “flushable” wipes and tampons can also block the drains. If you notice a strange smell coming from the drains or that your toilet doesn’t flush properly, it may be time to call a plumber.
If you are struggling with a stubborn drain clog that the snaking or hot water tricks didn’t fix, you can try the baking soda and vinegar trick. Pour equal parts of each down the drain, cover with a plug (if you have one) and wait 20-30 minutes. This chemical reaction can break down some clogs and clear away food, hair and other debris that might be stuck in the pipes. Be sure to only use this method if you know your pipes are made of metal and not plastic PVC, as boiling water can melt them.
Leaking pipes can cause water damage to your home. The damage can be severe, especially if left unattended for long periods of time. Leaking pipes can also lead to high water bills, foundation problems and other major issues. While leaks may seem minor, it is important to address them as soon as possible.
Leaks can be caused by many different things, including worn out pipe joints, corrosion, old age and clogged drains. You should make sure to check all of your pipes regularly, especially after any significant weather events or seismic activity. If you do notice a leak, it is important to call a plumber as soon as possible to assess the situation and fix it before it gets worse.
There are a few ways to repair leaking pipes, depending on the type of pipe and where it is located in your home. You can use a mechanical pipe repair clamp, a slip coupling or soldering. Before you begin, you should turn off the water supply to your home. You can usually do this by turning off the valve on the wall behind the leaky pipe. You should also turn off the water supply to any plumbing fixtures that are connected to the leaking pipe.
If you have a small leak, you can use a mechanical pipe repair clamp. These are available at most hardware stores and come in a variety of sizes. These clamps contain a metal sleeve with a fixed gasket and one to multiple fasteners. When tightened, the sleeve compresses the gasket and creates a waterproof seal. You can also use a slip coupling to stop leaks in pipes. These are lengths of pipe with compression fittings on each end. These fittings are similar to those found on a pipe connector, and when tightened, the ferrule or gasket is compressed and creates a leak-free seal.
If you have a larger leak, you will need to solder the pipe. This requires a lot of skill and knowledge, but it is an effective way to repair a leaky pipe. You should only try this if you are experienced with pipe soldering and know how to use a soldering iron correctly. If you are not comfortable with this, it is best to leave the job to a professional plumber.
Low water pressure can make showering and washing your clothes frustrating. It can also reduce the efficiency of your water heater, so you may be paying more for energy than necessary. It could also lead to costly plumbing problems down the line if not addressed promptly and effectively. A plumber can inspect your home’s pipes, reposition the water pressure regulator, clear blocked drains, and replace or repair broken fixtures to get your water pressure back to normal.
The average in-home water pressure is about 40 to 50 pounds per square inch (psi). When it gets below that number, your functional flow—the amount of water flowing through your pipes and into individual fixtures—decreases. If you’re experiencing low water pressure, start by checking to see if your city’s water supply has been affected. If you live in an area with a municipal water supply, the city could be flushing their system, doing repairs, or undergoing construction that affects all of their customers. You can call your city to find out more information and when normal water pressure should return.
Another common cause of low water pressure is a leak in your home’s pipes or water line. Leaks can decrease water pressure because they cause water to exit your pipes in unintended places before it reaches your home’s faucets. Look under sinks and behind appliances for wet spots or puddles to identify a possible leak in your home’s plumbing.
A working water filtration system or home water softener can help reduce your water usage, which can improve your home’s water pressure. If yours isn’t functioning properly, you may need to bypass it until a plumber can check the system for problems and repair them.
You can increase your home’s water pressure by removing or replacing old, corroded pipes. If this isn’t a viable option for you, hiring a plumber can be the next best thing. Your plumber can determine the root of the problem and install new, high-efficiency pipes to help improve your home’s water pressure.
Water heaters often develop problems that can be easily repaired if you’re on top of your maintenance schedule. For example, if your water has an unusual aroma or is discolored, it may indicate that the anode rod — which is usually made of aluminum or magnesium — needs to be replaced. The rod protects the tank by absorbing corrosive elements, so you need to replace it every three years. A faulty dip tube is another common problem. It allows cool water to mix with hot water, lowering the overall temperature of your home’s supply. A professional plumber can help you find and repair the source of the problem.