Common Plumbing Issues and How Professionals Address Them

Leaking faucets, clogged drains, and perpetually running toilets are just a few of the common plumbing problems homeowners might encounter. If the root cause of each issue isn't identified and addressed properly, the problems could escalate into something requiring a more professional touch. What might those causes be? For leaks, it's often a poorly seated washer or seal. For clogs, if an auger or hydro-jet can dislodge the obstruction, then the cause might be brush brooms or bakeware just too large to fit through the pipe. A hydro-static pressure test can determine if the problem is with the pipes or the water itself. A water heater problem? Buckle in. The pros are probably going to use the word "faulty" a fair amount.

A blocked or clogged drain is often considered the top plumbing problem. This issue can interfere with the smooth operations of daily life and can lead to more serious problems if left unattended, such as damage to the pipes or leaks that can show up in the walls or floors. Professionals usually handle this plumbing problem by first locating and then characterizing the blockage—what's causing it and how much of it there is. They might use a plumbing snake, hydro jetting, or chemical drain cleaners to clear it. In some cases, they'll use video inspection tools to get a good look at the problem inside the pipes before and after the work to clear it. Regularly scheduled maintenance and common-sense use of the drains can help keep this plumbing problem from recurring.

For most plumbing problems, you're in charge—unless, of course, you have people above or below you, in which case the upstairs or downstairs neighbors might be responsible. Here's how the responsibility breaks down in most situations: - If you're in a house, you own it, and the plumbing is between your walls and under your floors. You're responsible for everything in that space, unless you can successfully argue that the problem is a structural issue (which is usually the landlord's or the house's previous owner's problem). - If you rent a house, your landlord is probably responsible for the plumbing problem. - If you're in a multi-unit dwelling, such as a condo or in a setup where the plumbing is shared (or the plumbing problem is shared), you might be asked to pay for the repairs, but the property management usually has a hand in the problem-solving mix.

A frequent error in plumbing occurs when people who lack the know-how and equipment attempt to remedy a serious situation. This often results in further harm, not the least of which can come from overusing chemical drain cleaners. Indeed, some plumbing repairs are significant not only in terms of what needs to be done but also in the potential for more serious damage if one doesn't know what one is doing. And the potential for more serious harm is greatly multiplied if one uses the kind of tools that chemical drain cleaners really are not actuator tools that make cuts in the way a plumber's snake does, or when using the kind of corrosive tools that better keep pipe systems foul.

In a residential structure, the plumbing item that most often fails is the faucet. Faucets are an almost constant part of our lives, and they appear in so many places (like kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoors). Therefore, it's not much of a surprise that they sometimes wear out and need fixing. The thing is, when a faucet does wear out, it's seldom a problem just with the faucet itself. Very often, the sustainer of the faucet (the plumbing that it is plumbed to, in other words) is partially to blame for the faucet's failure. For that reason, professional plumbers do much more than just "faucet repair" when they tackle the issue of a worn-out faucet. And by doing much more, they get to the real problem faster and help save the homeowner the excess labor and resources that might have come with doing a half-fix first and then a full fix when the problem returns.

Indeed, many plumbing companies charge a fee for diagnostics. This is really just a way of covering the time and know-how it takes to figure out what's wrong with your plumbing. Some plumbers charge more for this service than others—maybe even slightly more than you'd pay for a cheap night out. And if you go this route, be sure to ask if they have a budget for you and if they might waive the fee if you hire them to make the actual repairs.

The lifespan of a house's plumbing can vary based on the materials employed and upkeep strategies. Pipes made of copper usually last about 50 to 70 years; those made with galvanized steel, around 20 to 50 years; and PVC pipes can last indefinitely under optimal conditions. Regular inspection and maintenance of the plumbing can help extend its life and ward off problems that could lead to early failure, like leaks, for instance. If the plumbing in your house is about to reach the end of its lifespan or you suspect it might be degrading, it would make sense to call in a pro to assess the situation and recommend next steps.

Plumbing pipes of certain types are considered problematic because they tend to deteriorate or fail over time. These are a few of the most common: - **Galvanized Steel**: Once the go-to for plumbing, this material is now known for corrosion and rust. Homes built before the 1960s are at risk (and might also have reduced water pressure). - **Polybutylene**: Used from the 1970s to the 1990s, this material was cheap and easy to install. Today, we know it's prone to breaking (and disintegrating under certain conditions). - **Lead**: This was used in older homes, and it poses a serious health risk. If you have plumbing that was installed before 1986, it might have lead in it. A lot of the replacements done today are with copper. PEX and PVC are also really popular. These are all safe alternatives.

In a new home, two primary rough-ins are generally finished: the rough-in for the plumbing drain-waste-vent (DWV) system and the rough-in for the water supply system. The rough-in of the DWV system consists of the installation of the pipes that will carry away wastewater and sewage from the house, with a necessary assurance of proper venting to avoid sounds of plumbing functioning that will be heard in the living space, sounds that should have come from the last group of under-construction bathrooms instead of the ones we were living in. Professionals with skills ensure that the slope of the pipes is correct and that the pipes are connected to the main sewer line or septic system. The supply of water to the home begins with the rough-in. This means supplying clean water to various distribution points, or fixtures, throughout the structure. Part of this involves taking the correct measure and cutting the pipes to the right length and doing the right installation so that there are no leaks. These tasks are addressed by professionals using plans, the appropriate materials, precise tools, and adherence to local codes and regulations to ensure a safe and efficient plumbing system.

Replacement plumbing can cost a wide spectrum of prices because of many variables. These include the average type and quality of plumbing materials, the more or less many things that must be plumbed, and the area where you live in relation to the kinds of labor costs a plumbing contractor might encounter. They also include the average complexity or simplicity of the kinds of plumbing systems that contractors encounter in various homes. So some range of prices is thrown around, and most estimates seem to average around 2,000 to 15,000 dollars. Indeed, some prices are much higher and some much lower, depending on the situation and the kinds of contractors that you engage to do the work.