Plumbing problems can arise at just about any time. It doesn’t matter if your house is old or recently built; things can break. While with newer homes, it is less likely to have plumbing issues, it does happen. Most track homes get built fast, and contractors are under a lot of pressure to get the work done as fast as possible. When this happens, things aren’t always done the correct way. With older homes, pipes and fixtures wear out.
No matter the age of your home, most homeowners can expect to encounter certain plumbing problems. It can be frustrating, but know what can go wrong can help you better maintain and watch out for potential issues in the future.
The Most Common Plumbing Problems Most Homeowners Will Face
Backed Up Toilet
You can’t go through life without getting a toilet clogged at least a few times. Some household members put things they shouldn’t go down the toilets. Whether it’s too much toilet paper, paper towels or foreign objects were getting flushed that cause the problems. It may not even be the fault of the person flushing. Pipes break or get damaged over time, which can cause items to get stuck.
Broken Water Heater
On average, you can expect a water heater to last anywhere from 10-15 years. With proper maintenance, they can last a lot longer. A water heater has many working parts, connection points, and valves.
“When there is a leak near a water heater, most plumbers assume it should be replaced. The truth is each situation needs a proper diagnosis. Just last week, we were called out to a customer’s home in Corona, California, for a water heater issue. The customer had spoken with a plumber before we arrived, and that plumber told the customer their water heater was leaking. It turns out the leak was near the water heater but was coming from a pipe in the wall,” explains Billy Henley of BHI Plumbers in Corona.
Water Pressure Issues
There are a few reasons your home water pressure can be low. Your city or town may have low water pressure to begin with. Although this is rare and there are usually other reasons for low pressure. If all of a sudden, your home experiences low water pressure, there is a good chance you have a water leak somewhere. It is a good idea to call a professional plumber and have them investigate the issue.
On the other hand, some homes have high water pressure. While at first, this may seem good, it can cause all sorts of problems with your plumbing. According to Popular Mechanics, your water pressure should be somewhere between 60-75 PSI. Anything higher provides too much wear and tear on your plumbing fixtures. Water heaters and faucets will wear down faster, and the washers inside will eventually break. This is why you will want to have your water pressure regulator checked. If the pressure is too high, it’s time to replace the regulator.
Broken Garbage Disposal
One of the most common problems with garbage disposal is people place things down there that they shouldn’t have. Some people treat the garbage disposal as a wood chipper, thinking that anything can go down the drain. That is not the case as pasta, meats, grease, and other items are often too much for most disposals to handle. Solids should be thrown away in the garbage, and only smaller food pieces should ever go down the sink.
Another problem is, eventually, your garbage disposal will wear out. A good disposal can last 10-15 years, but you will ultimately need to replace it.
Conclusion
Don’t get frustrated by the common plumbing issues that most homeowners will face. We almost all face these issues at one point or another. As a homeowner, it is a good idea to find a trusted plumbing company in your area that can be counted on for quality, affordable work.