Common Plumbing Issues at Home

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It’s easy to fix plumbing issues if you know and understand how the plumbing in Salt Lake City works. You can quickly identify where the problems lie and figure out how to best address them. Here are some of the most common plumbing issues that can occur at home and how to solve them:

Leaking Toilet Seals

You’ll know that a seal is leaking in your toilet if water shoots from under the tank whenever you flush. There are five seals in a standard bathroom. Check the amount of water to determine which seal is leaking.

A significant leak is caused by a broken seal between the bowl and tank. This is the largest seal of them all. If the leak is just a trickle, it might come from one of the smaller seals inside the toilet. To fix this problem, drain the tank first. Tighten loose seals or replace them if necessary.

Low Water Pressure

You’ll know that you have low water pressure if there is not enough water coming out of the faucets in your house. This can be true if two or more valves are open at the same time.

Low water pressure is commonly caused by blocked taps, showerheads, or pipes where mineral deposits buildup over time. To remove mineral deposits, soak the showerhead or valves in a Ziplock bag with white vinegar in it. Leave it for 24 hours then rinse it before using the showerhead or taps again.

Clogged Drain

You’ll know that the drains in your house are clogged if water doesn’t drain well or if it goes down slowly. You’ll also know if your toilet is clogged if water comes up even after flushing.

Your first solution should be to use a closet auger to remove whatever is blocking the toilet or drain. Hair, toilet paper, little pieces of soap, food waste, and dirt can all collect inside drainage and toilet pipes. If there is still clog, use a standard type plunger to clear minor clogs. If the problem persists, use a force-cup plunger instead.

Plunging can be more effective if you combine it with the use of drainage cleaning chemicals.

Running Toilets

If there is a hissing sound coming from your toilet or if the bowl continuously refills itself, you have a running toilet.

A faulty inlet valve often causes the hissing sound, but it’s still best to check whether it’s coming from the inlet, refill tube, or toilet float. Make sure the refill tube and toilet float work correctly. If nothing’s wrong with them, but there’s still a hissing sound, change the inlet valve.

To fix a refilling bowl, remove water from the tank and check the flapper seat inside. If it looks damaged or worn, replace it immediately.

Leaking Faucets

Plumber hands fixing water tap with spanner

Leaky taps can lead to constant dripping in your sink. Often, the sound can be annoying. Change your taps’ washers to fix this problem.

If these solutions do not seem to work, consider hiring a professional plumber. Or if the problem becomes too big for you, you can always ask help from an expert to fix your pipes or drainage.


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