Have you ever wondered if your home’s plumbing problem was normal? Or did it take you by surprise?
Warner Service is counting down the most common bathroom plumbing problems.
Toilet
- Blocked or clogged toilet. This is one of the most common plumbing problems. To fix it, grab a plunger or drain snake to loosen any debris. If the plumbing problem persists, call a local professional.
- Cold shower due to simultaneously flushing the toilet. The solution is to reduce how fast the toilet uses water, especially with older pipes. Close the supply valve slightly, buy a low-flow toilet, or place a jug of gravel, pebbles, or sand in the toilet tank.
Note: You may have a noisy toilet that takes longer to fill, but the shower won’t be cold anymore. - Overflowing toilet. If you hit the handle too many times or it's too cold outside, the toilet has a mechanical problem. Wrap a towel around the toilet base for easy clean-up. Turn off the toilet water supply line by locating the line’s valve near the bowl's bottom. Turn it counterclockwise to stop water flow from the toilet.
If this doesn't fix the plumbing problem, remove the tank cover. Then, lift the float cup high enough to stop water from running. Turn the water heater valve off until the water flow stops completely. Use a small cup to remove any excess water at the brim of the bowl. Wipe up the excess water off the floor. - Flooding. If water is on the floor near the toilet, check the tightness of the tank bolts, fill valve/ballcock, mounting nut, and supply tube coupling nut. If it’s loose, replace the washers. It could also be due to an unsealed wax ring or cracked toilet base.
If the toilet leaks constantly, the toilet base needs replacing. If leaking occurs during or after a flush, replace the wax ring.
If you live in a humid climate and water is dripping from the side of the tank, it’s condensation. Use proper ventilation or buy a toilet liner kit, a foam panel placed inside the tank. - Stubborn handle. If the toilet handle won’t budge, Lowe’s suggests removing the tank cover and cleaning the mounting nut. This provides smooth operation. If a buildup of lime is around the mounting nut, clean it with a brush dipped in vinegar.
Sink
- Leaky faucet. Did you know that an open tap costs around $230 per day? That’s like buying two tickets to Disney World every day.
To avoid this, double-check that the bathroom and kitchen sinks aren’t leaky. A possible cause of a sink leak is a loose nut in the faucet handle. Remove the cover of the sink handle by unscrewing the piece covered by a decorative cap. For more plumbing solutions, check out The True Cost Of A Leak (And How To Save That Money). - Clogged garbage disposal. Don’t pour fats, grease, and oils (or celery, pumpkin pulp, carrots, and potato peels) down the drain. The sticky properties immediately clog the p-trap. This p-trap prevents odors and sewer gases from entering the kitchen.
Shower
- Low water pressure. This is also a plumbing problem for sinks. Weak water pressure makes for a less enjoyable shower. The main cause is a calcium-clogged aerator, especially if your home has hard water or water with high mineral count.
To fix this, remove the aerator and place it in a small plastic container filled with white vinegar for six hours. Remove and reinstall. If the water pressure is due to debris-filled water lines, contact a local plumbing professional. - Clogged drain. If you have a puddle at your feet after showering, the drain's clogged. It’s most likely from hair, debris, and soap scum. Solve this problem by using one of the organic plumbing solutions in 9 Eco-Friendly Drainage Products For Your Pipes.
Most of these bathroom plumbing problems are solved with do-it-yourself solutions. Yet it’s important to call plumbing professionals if the problem becomes too much.
You can also call Warner Service for a plumbing maintenance check-up. Download our Bathroom Maintenance Checklist to stay ahead of the cleaning game:
