Plumbing issues can be a very annoying and stressful problem to take care of. So when those problems are seemingly small and insignificant, it’s easy for homeowners to ignore them. However, it’s important for these common plumbing problems to be addressed before they lead to more significant problems.

1. Small Leaks

Small leaks are one of the most common plumbing problems that homeowners ignore because initially they seem harmless. However, over time, they become a silent killer that can cause extensive and expensive damage to your home.

Even a minor leak can gradually lead to moisture buildup inside cabinets, walls, or flooring, creating an environment for mold and mildew to thrive. This moisture will also weaken and warp the wood in your home, causing structural damage that will end up being far more expensive to fix than the original leak. Do the simple fixes so you don’t have to repair drywall, replace your floor, or do mold remediation.

2. Slow Drains

Slow drains seem like a minor annoyance at first, but they often point to the development of a much bigger common plumbing problem. When water takes longer to drain from sinks, tubs, and showers, you likely have a blockage beginning to form in your pipes. 

The problem is that the hair, soap scum, mineral buildup, and so much more will continue to build up. As more debris accumulates, the blockage will become worse. This will eventually lead to drains that become completely clogged. What starts as a sink that just drains slowly can quickly lead to standing water, terrible odors, or multiple drains backing up at once.

The clearest path forward is to hire a professional plumber to completely remove the clog. By eradicating the problem entirely in one go, you’ll save yourself time and money in the long run.

3. Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure, a common plumbing problem, may seem like a small inconvenience at first, but it can become super annoying. It’s also a sign that there is something more serious happening. Low water pressure is usually an indication that something is keeping water from flowing through your pipes efficiently.

The three main causes of this common plumbing problem are mineral buildup, hidden leaks, and aging pipes. Over time, minerals in hard water collect inside the pipes, narrowing the space and restricting water flow. Hidden leaks are also a common plumbing problem that contributes to low water pressure. Since water is escaping from pipes before it can ever reach faucets or shower heads, the water that is able to reach the fixtures will have low water pressure.

Though it’s easy to ignore, identify the root cause of low water pressure early to prevent more costly repairs in the future.

4. Running Toilets

You may be surprised to know that a running toilet can waste a lot of water and money if left unfixed. When a toilet continues to run even after flushing, it means water is constantly flowing from the tank into the bowl instead of shutting off. 

The most common cause of a running toilet is a worn-out or misaligned flapper. The flapper is the rubber seal at the bottom of the tank. If it doesn’t close properly, water will continuously leak through. However, there are other causes of a running toilet, including a faulty fill valve, an improperly adjusted float, or mineral buildup that affects the internal parts of the toilet.

At first, these problems are a simple fix. Ignoring them can lead to bigger problems. The constant leaking of water parts will start to wear down fast, increase strain on your plumbing system, and even lead to a leak around the base of your toilet. That’s why it’s important to address the issue early on to lower your utility bill and prevent unnecessary wear.

5. Old Pipes

Especially in older homes, old or aging pipes are one of the most common plumbing problems. Plumbing material naturally deteriorates over time. As they age, they become more vulnerable to corrosion, rust buildup, and weakening. This restricts water flow and increases the risk of leaks.

Because these issues develop gradually over time, many homeowners won’t realize there is a problem until those repairs become unavoidable. Getting regular inspections done and proactive upgrades can help identify the problems with pipes early. 

Why Choose Us?

With over 24 years of experience, S&B Plumbing has the expertise to fix not only your most common plumbing problems, but also your most complicated. No matter what problems your plumbing system faces, we’re here to help. Contact us today to book an appointment.

Vacation time is the best part of summer, but with vacation comes a lot of preparation. Between getting everything packed and getting your house ready and locked up, there is a lot to get done before you head out of town. One item of preparation is often overlooked: your home’s plumbing. So, here are the four things you should check off your vacation plumbing checklist to protect your home while you’re gone.

Shut Off Your Main Water Supply

Having to come back home after vacation is already sad enough; imagine coming home to a burst pipe that has flooded your home. A burst pipe is always a stressful thing to happen, but when you’re home, you’re able to catch it before it causes any major damage.

To prevent major flooding while you’re enjoying your vacation, shut off your main water supply before leaving. Taking this precaution could help you save thousands of dollars in major flooding repairs.

If you have someone house-sitting and are unable to turn off the main water supply, simply mention expectations. Make sure that your house-sitter knows how to turn off the main water supply if an issue arises, and how to get ahold of you to handle any damage that has occurred as a result of the burst pipe. By marking, shutting off your main water supply, off your vacation plumbing checklist you can ensure your house will be just as you left it. 

Check for Leaks Before You Go

Over the course of a vacation, issues that were small or even non-existent when you left can become bigger issues while you’re gone. With no one in your home to catch those issues before they get too big, major damage can be caused to your home. 

By doing a quick check of your toilets, sinks, under-the-cabinet plumbing, and your water heater, you may be able to catch something while it’s still small and manageable. Catching a leak while it’s early and getting it fixed doesn’t have to disrupt your travel plans either. Ask neighbors or other family members nearby if they’re able to let a professional plumber in while you’re gone.

Ensuring there are no leaks in your home, is an important step in completing the vacation plumbing checklist and keeping your home protected from water damage.

Inspect and Turn Off Outdoor Water Sources

Outdoor water sources are also something that is very overlooked when it comes to vacation to-dos. However, they can be one of the most common sources of leaks, especially during the summer when usage is the highest.

Before heading out on your vacation, take a quick walk around your home and inspect each outdoor faucet. You’re going to want to look for dripping water even when the faucet is off, cracks or corrosion around the faucet, or loose hose connections. You can even take extra precautions and disconnect any attached hoses completely prior to your departure. 

If you happen to catch a leak, get it fixed and check it off your vacation plumbing checklist before you go. Even a slow drip that seems harmless right now could waste gallons of water a day while you’re away. 

If you have an automatic sprinkler or irrigation system, you’ll want to inspect sprinkler heads for leaks, clogs, or misdirection. Check for soggy parts in your yard, which could be a sign of an underground leak. Lastly, make sure your timer is set correctly or turned off completely if needed.

A malfunctioning sprinkler system can run excessively while you’re away, leading to high water bills or even issues with your home’s foundation. A quick walk through your yard could end up saving you money and a massive headache, post-vacation.

Clean Out Drains & Garbage Disposal

One of the easiest things you can do before your vacation is take a few minutes to clean your drains and garbage disposal. Food scraps, grease, and buildup can sit while you’re away, leading to terrible odors, stubborn clogs, and bacterial growth.

Start this process by running hot water down your kitchen sink for a few minutes. Doing this will help break down grease and soap scum, push any lingering debris through the pipes, and reduce the chance of buildup hardening while you’re on vacation.

After flushing your kitchen sink, clean your garbage disposal properly so you don’t return to a bad smell plaguing your kitchen. To freshen and clear your garbage disposal, drop in a few ice cubes, then add citrus peels like a lemon or an orange to eliminate odors, and finally run cold water while the disposal is on. Ensure you don’t come back to a smelly kitchen by marking this task off your vacation plumbing checklist.

Why Choose Us?

At S&B Plumbing, we understand how stressful plumbing issues can be, especially when you already have a lot on your plate preparing for vacation. Though this vacation plumbing checklist can help you spot problems, you may not always be able to fix them yourself. Get one thing off your plate and contact us today to get your appointment scheduled.

There is nothing worse than looking forward to taking a nice, hot shower at the end of a long day, only to find a weak stream of water coming out of your showerhead. Low water pressure issues can cause a lot of frustration. Whether it’s coming out of your shower head or your sink, no one wants to deal with low water pressure. There are several causes of low water pressure in your home, some bigger than others, but here are the four most common so you can solve the low water pressure problem in your home.

Clogged Pipes or Mineral Buildup

Oddly enough, the water flowing through your home’s pipes could be the culprit behind the low water pressure problem in your home. If you live in an area with hard water, you likely have mineral buildup in your pipes that is clogging them, causing low water pressure. 

You can confirm that this is the problem by checking your showerheads and sink faucets. If you see crusty white material on your faucets and shower heads, that’s a sign of a hard water problem. You can even check your glasses and silverware when they come out of the dishwasher; if they have white spots straight out of the dishwasher, that’s a sign of a hard water problem as well.

The minerals in hard water can build up inside your pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, making it hard for water to flow through. If this is the reason for your low water pressure problem, a plumber can help diagnose the problem and flush the pipes to clear the buildup and restore proper water flow. Afterwards, installing a water softener could help eliminate this low water pressure problem in the future.

Leaks in Your Plumbing System

It’s no secret that water flowing out of your pipes could lead to a low water pressure problem. To see if a leaky pipe is really the thing causing your low water pressure problem, check to see if you see any pooling water or wet spots, inside or outside of your home. 

If you do see signs of a leaky pipe, turn off your water supply and try to dry the pipe. Call a plumber as soon as possible to solve your low water pressure problem and to prevent further damage to the interior or exterior of your home. If your low water pressure issue is the result of a leaky pipe, chances are there’s probably more than one leak.

Issues with Your Water Heater

Have you recently realized that when you turn on your shower or sink, the hot water comes out slower than the cold water? If you have, your water heater could be causing you to have a low water pressure issue. 

Sediment buildup from hard water can settle at the bottom of the tank of your water heater and restrict water flow. Partially closed or faulty valves could also be the cause of low water pressure issues in your home. Every water heater has inlet and outlet valves that control the flow of water in your water heater. If those valves are partially closed, corroded, or just worn out, that could be the reason for a lack of hot water pressure. 

The age of your water heater is also a factor. If you have a water heater that is twelve years or older, its internal components start to wear out. This can lead to reduced efficiency, inconsistent water flow, and low water pressure issues when using hot water. If you’ve noticed reduced pressure when using hot water, a plumber can quickly pinpoint the issues and help resolve the low water pressure issues your water heater may be causing.

Faulty Pressure Regulator

A water pressure regulator is required in many state municipal codes; it’s something that’s installed where water enters your home. It helps take high-pressure water and reduce it to a safe and consistent level for your plumbing system. Without it, the pressure coming in could be too strong and cause damage to your pipes. However, when it doesn’t work, the pressure isn’t strong enough in your house.

Inside the regulator, there’s a spring and a diaphragm that control the pressure. If it starts to wear out, it may stop adjusting properly, getting stuck restricting too much water, leading to low water pressure issues in your home. 

Like most things, regulators don’t last forever. After about ten to fifteen years, you’ll need to replace your pressure regulator, because your springs will lose tension, diaphragms will crack or stiffen, and mineral buildup will interfere.

If the low water pressure issue in your home is due to a faulty pressure regulator, you’ll experience low pressure at every faucet and fixture, both your hot and cold water will be affected, and problems will likely appear very suddenly.

Why Choose Us?

At S&B Plumbing, we understand how frustrating low water pressure issues can be. Especially when you aren’t sure what the source of the problem is. Our years of experience, fast service, and straightforward pricing make us the best choice for all of your plumbing needs. Contact us today to get your plumbing problems solved.