Plumbing Problems You Should Never Ignore

When your toilet clogs or your sink is slow to drain, you may assume it’s no big deal. However, even seemingly minor issues can quickly escalate into expensive repairs. Here are some of the most common plumbing problems you should take care of right away.

Common Plumbing Issues

Clogged Drains

Regardless of whether your drains are stopped up with food, hair or a mysterious substance, a clog can be gross. Instead of pouring a drain cleaner down the pipes, which can damage the environment and your plumbing, try a drain stick or snake. After removing the stopper or strainer, slide and twist the tool down the drain to grab the blockage. If the clog is particularly stubborn, it’s time to call in the professionals.

Dripping Faucets

That all-too-familiar drip, drip, drip sound is not just annoying – it’s also a sure sign of plumbing troubles. If left unaddressed, a leaky faucet will waste water and drive up your water bill. A dripping tap is sometimes easily fixed with a new washer, but you may have to replace the entire faucet.

Foul Smell

Many things can cause a foul smell around your sinks and toilets, but if the odor doesn’t go away, you may have a blockage somewhere in your plumbing system. Removing it as soon as possible can prevent a more severe blockage from forming.

Hard Water Buildup

Are you noticing spots on your dishes or soap scum on your shower door? There’s a good chance your home has hard water. An overwhelming 85 percent of American homes fall into this category – Florida, the Midwest and the

South West are notorious for having the hardest water in the country.¹ Hard water can clog your pipes and damage your plumbing. Installing a water softener can solve this issue.

Leaks

Leaky pipes are common in older homes, which often have galvanized steel pipes that are prone to corrosion, but even new homes can experience leaks. If you see wet spots on the floor, ceiling or under the sink, call a plumber immediately. They can find the source of the leak and repair or replace the pipes.

Low Water Pressure

If your showers are taking longer than usual because the stream coming out of the showerhead is weak, you likely have low water pressure. Sometimes this is due to a temporary water supply issue, but if the problem doesn’t resolve itself within a few days, you may have a burst pipe in your home or a blockage in the water main. This is a job you’ll want to leave to a plumber to ensure no further damage is done to your plumbing.

No Hot Water

Running out of hot water in the middle of a shower can be frustrating, but if you suddenly have no hot water no matter how long you let the water run, your water heater could be the culprit. Water heater repairs are quite common, especially if the unit is older or hasn’t been regularly maintained, and require a professional. Water heaters typically last eight to 12 years, so if yours is much older than that, it may need to be replaced.²

Certified Plumbing Services in Seattle

Plumbing problems can force you to put your life on hold, which is why the team at South West Plumbing does its best to ensure the diagnosis and repair process is convenient for you. Our certified plumbers work around your schedule with no extra charge for weekends or evenings. We charge by the job, not the hour, to make sure you’re satisfied with the results. We will also leave your house as clean as it was when we came, so you don’t have to worry about any messes that may come with the repairs.

Call (206) 210-3268 today or request a service appointment online.

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¹ https://homewater101.com/articles/hard-water-across-us
² https://www.waterheaterleakinginfo.com/water-heater-replacement/