Simple Answers to Common Plumbing Questions
Lion’s Plumbing and Heating offers a wide range of professional plumbing services every day, so there are many problems that we commonly encounter. Throughout this blog, we will tackle some of the most common questions our clients probably have and provide answers, so you know what to do if you encounter them yourself.
Feel free to scan this blog to see if your plumbing problem exists. If so, you’ll find potential solutions to your issues. You’ll find this an equally helpful resource if you’re here for educational purposes.
Continue reading to find answers to some of the most common plumbing issues.
Why Are My Pipes Knocking?
Knocking pipes can usually be heard (or felt) after flushing your toilet. However, there are a few reasons why pipes knock.
If the water pressure in your pipes is too high and the pipes are not fastened properly, this could be a reason for knocking. Essentially, the water moves too quickly through improperly attached pipes and causes them to “knock” about.
If your hot water pipe is knocking, it’s due to thermal expansion and, once again, improperly fastened pipes. Other common reasons for knocking pipes are the shutoff mechanism in your toilet. If you have a newer toilet, the shutoff mechanism can be rather abrupt and cause knocking throughout your pipes.
Why Won’t My Sink Drain?
If your kitchen or bathroom sink isn’t draining, the problem is probably exactly what you think it is. An accumulation of food or other gunk is perhaps why your sinks aren’t draining. In most cases, pipes are too sensitive to handle swallowing food products daily. The design of the pipes under most sinks combined with that part of your plumbing system being a lower-pressure area results in clogs if food waste is being forced down the drain.
Every sink is different. A clogged drain can be the result of years or months. However, if your sink isn’t draining, you have a problem and should contact your local plumber ASAP.
Why Is My Water Heater Leaking?
Many things can cause a water heater to leak, but none of them are good. Of the most common issues that could cause a water heater to leak, these are the most common:
- Faulty cold or hot water connections
- Loose/old gaskets
- Damaged drain valve
- Tank corrosion
Some of those issues are easily fixed with a few cranks of the wrench, while others are a more serious indication that a replacement is in order.
Why Does My Toilet Constantly Run?
We’ve all experienced it. You flush your toilet, and it seemingly never stops running. It’s annoying because it hisses loudly and it’s a cause for concern. “What’s wrong with my toilet?” you may ask yourself. There could be a few things wrong in the case of an overly-running toilet.
Most of the issues have to do with the refilling mechanism that lives in the back of your toilet. Unless your floating mechanism, your fill valve, your refill tube, and your water level are all performing as they should, you could encounter too much toilet running.
Where Is My Water Main’s Shutoff Valve?
If you are a property owner or even a renter, this is important information for you to know. It may not seem relevant, but when you need to know where it is, you’ll be glad you did.
Your water main’s shutoff valve is located on the property’s main waterline. They are usually located outside the building, close to the exterior wall. Alternatively, it could be accessible in an underground utility box.
Why Has My Garbage Disposal Stopped Working?
Many things could have stopped your garbage disposal from working properly. Most commonly, it could be a jam in the system.
Other common reasons are age and wear/tear related. Too much rust or dull/overworked blades are very common too.
How Do I Fix My Clogged Drain or Toilet?
Depending on the extent of the issue, you can purchase a traditional drain snake from your local hardware store, and over-the-counter drain cleaners can do the trick.
In the case of a clogged toilet, you should always first reach for your plunger. This is a very effective method in most cases.
Plungers can also be useful for clogged sinks. We recommend the traditional plunger style. A solid wood handle with a thick black rubber plunger works best. We don’t recommend the ones that look like accordions.
How Do I Stop My Faucet from Leaking?
Most leaky faucet problems result from a flaw in the sealing mechanism within your faucet. The water in your pipes is always at the ready, so if not properly sealed, the water in your pipes will want to work its way out.
Fixing your faucet on your own could be a greater headache than you wish to deal with. If that is the case for you, we recommend calling your local plumbing expert, %COMPANY%.
Why Do I Have Low Water Pressure?
The most common causes of low water pressure in your plumbing system are:
- Corrosion problems
- Debris buildup
- Broken pressure regulator
- Water supply issues
- Leaky plumbing
- The broken water meter valve
Any of the above problems can cause lower than the ideal water pressure in your property, let alone a combination of these issues.
Why Don’t I Have Hot Water?
A lack of hot water is a common plumbing issue that results from a poor connection to the water heater. Alternatively, it could be an electrical issue. It is always worth switching your fuse box off and on again. If the breaker tripped and you switched it back on, you should have hot water again in about an hour. If that doesn’t work, you may need to call your plumber.
When Do I Call a Plumber?
Truly, it’s up to you. A professional plumber like us can address any plumbing issue you face. Depending on how much work you want to put in yourself, you can also fix the issue. The real question you must ask yourself is how much is the convenience of a professional worth to you?
Most people would rather pay the money to have professionals deal with it. In our experience, this is the smartest thing to do—it reduces the risk of compounding problems and is a good way to ensure that the problem is adequately solved.
Call on Lion’s Plumbing and Heating for your plumbing problems today!