Four Common Plumbing Problems

All homeowners need to know that plumbing problems are an unpredictable fact of life. In particular, it is essential to understand how to cope with an emergency, whether a flood caused by a burst pipe, a blocked drain that is smelly and very unpleasant or a leaking hot water heater cylinder.

{{img:'four-common-plumbing-problems.jpg' | alt | title | height | width | lazyload}}

At Precision Electrical and Plumbing, where we offer Melbourne plumbing solutions, plumbing emergencies are generally caused by failures in the plumbing system or sewer lines. This might be due to a lack of maintenance, or it might be due to a fault of some sort. Homeowners can usually take some action to overcome the emergency. Still, they will need to call in a professional plumber who can identify the cause of the emergency, such as clogged drains and leaky pipes and recommend a solution, he warns.

Prevention is, of course, better than cure, so this should be the first step to preventing these four widespread plumbing emergencies from happening in your home:

1. Water pipes that burst and flood the inside of the home
2. Joints of water pipes that leak and are the source of water damage in the home
3. Drains that get blocked smell and prevent toilets from being effectively flushed – often causing them to overflow
4. Blockages and damage to pipes supplying water that stop water from being delivered to taps and appliances inside the home

How To Stop Water Pipes From Bursting

A common reason for water pipes bursting is a weak joint. If the water system doesn’t hold up, the joint will fail and, at worst, burst – at best; it will slowly start leaking. And the most common causes of burst pipes are high water pressure and damage to pipes. Even drilling a wall to fix a hanging unit might inadvertently damage pipework.

Low water pressure is also one of the most common plumbing problems that you will encounter. It is an indication that there is something wrong with your plumbing system. Your plumber may need to replace your pipes or fix some other type of issue to get them back to an acceptable range.

The other factor to be aware of is that pipework does deteriorate over time. This means that you should be sure to check it – or have it checked – regularly. This is particularly important if you are living in an older house. Fix minor leaks as soon as you become aware of them to prevent them from later causing emergencies that will require a 24 hr plumber in Melbourne. If you are going to drill into a wall, ensure you know precisely where the pipework is so that you don’t damage it.

If a pipe bursts, the first thing to do is switch off the water supply. Then call Precision Electrical and Plumbing.

Leaking Pipe Joints

While not as severe as a flood due to a burst pipe, a minor leak can quickly become significant and cause substantial damage. You may not notice leaks if pipes are concealed in walls, under floors, or even in the ceiling until moisture seeps through.

If you spot damp areas anywhere in the house, investigate the cause immediately and do something about it before you have a flood on your hands.

Blocked Drains

Soil pipes and drains get blocked, often because of foreign objects that fall into the gutter and sometimes because the roots of trees grow into the drain, blocking it. Sometimes waste and grease build up gradually in traps or the bends of pipes, causing blockages.

The first sign of a blocked drain will be nasty odours, but water rising in the toilet bowl when you flush is another sure sign of a clogged toilet. If it’s terrible, you won’t be able to use the running toilet until it has been cleared.

You might be able to clear a blockage by using a plunger. Alternatively, try a proprietary chemical drain cleaner that you pour down the drain and then flush with water. If these don’t work, you’ll have to call in a plumber who will use special tools to clear the drain. So keep the contact details for Precision Electrical and Plumbing close at hand because you will need a 24 hr plumber in Melbourne if this is where you live.

Damaged Or Blocked Water Supply Pipes

Generally, pipes that supply water to homes are laid underground. Then they are channelled under the house or through slabs and into walls, whether dry or built with bricks and mortar. They are linked to the taps and pipework we use inside the house.

The dead giveaway that water supply pipes are blocked or damaged is when no water flows through a tap or into an appliance.

If the pipes are damaged, you will flood the garden. If tree roots cause it, you might be forced to have some of the pipework removed and replaced. Turn off the water at the mains and call a reputable registered plumber.