Common Plumbing Problems & How to Fix Them

Plumbing issues are a common occurrence in homes and businesses, but they’re not always easy to diagnose. Whether your pipes are leaking or you’re experiencing reduced water pressure, these issues can be both frustrating and expensive if left untreated. At the same time, if you don’t know what’s causing the problem, it can be difficult to determine how much time or money it will take to fix it. However, with a few basic tools and some DIY knowledge, you’ll be able to solve most of these plumbing issues on your own. Here are some common plumbing problems that everyone should know how to fix.

Leaking Pipe

In general, leaking pipes are the most common plumbing problem. If you have a leak in your home, it’s usually caused by one of two things: a cracked pipe or worn-out joints. You can diagnose a leaking pipe by listening for the sound of running water and tracing its source back to where it originates from. When you find the leak, turn off water to that area immediately so you don’t waste any more water on top of what has already been wasted through leakage.

Then, use plumber’s tape or Teflon tape (which is better than plumber’s tape) to seal around all exposed pipes and joints before replacing any damaged parts—this will prevent future leaks from occurring again because they have been repaired well enough that they won’t be prone to failure again anytime soon!

Low Water Pressure

You might be thinking, “But how can I tell if there’s something wrong with the plumbing?” Well, a good rule of thumb is to pay attention to your water pressure.

Low water pressure can mean that the main valve for your house is open too wide or some other part of your plumbing has become cracked or damaged. If you notice that there’s an issue with your showerhead and other fixtures around the house, it could mean there’s just one thing wrong: a clog in one of the pipes.

If this happens after an earthquake, earthquake-related damage could also be to blame; check out this article for more information on what happens during earthquakes like this one!

Sewer Backups in Drains or Toilets

Backups in drains or toilets are a fairly common occurrence, but you can easily prevent them with some regular maintenance. Here’s how:

• Plug the drain if you have a clog. If your sink is full of water and slowly draining, try plugging the drain first with some paper towels before you resort to plunging it or calling a plumber. If these paper towels don’t work, try using a long wooden dowel or coat hanger and gently poke at the clog until it dislodges from its position in your pipes. You may need to do this multiple times if there’s more than one piece blocking your pipes!
• Use less toilet paper. This one may seem obvious, but do yourself (and everyone else) a favor: use less toilet paper each time you go number two! If possible, consider switching over to bidet-style toilets that require no TP at all; they’re becoming increasingly popular as an alternative for people who want environmentally friendly options for their bathroom usage needs (not just pooping!).

Running Toilet

A running toilet is usually the result of a clogged or broken flapper. A flapper is the rubber flap that lifts to allow water to enter when you push down on the handle and lowers to allow it to pass through when you let go of it. If you’ve ever heard an annoying “flushing” sound after you’ve flushed your toilet, this may be what’s causing it.

Here are some tips for fixing a running toilet:

• Remove any objects blocking the opening at the bottom of your tank (such as toys).
• Replace any worn out parts with new ones from a hardware store or home improvement center near you!
• Put in extra padding around certain areas inside your tank as well so that no part can move around too much while still letting all other parts work properly without getting damaged by friction or pressure differences between different areas within itself!

Hot Water Heater Problems

If your hot water heater isn’t working, there are a few different ways to go about fixing it. First and foremost, you need to determine what kind of problem you’re dealing with:

• If your water is coming out lukewarm or not at all, it’s likely that your thermostat is broken or set too low (or high). Make sure the tank has been fully heated before adding cold water in order to avoid scalding yourself.
• If there’s no sign of leaking from anywhere on the tank but you can hear gurgling sounds inside when turned off, it may be time for a replacement part. Just remember that this doesn’t always mean your entire system needs replacing—you might just need an upgrade!

Foul Smells from the Sink

If you have a foul smell coming from your sink, the first thing to do is check for a blockage. There are several places under your sink where clogs are likely to occur:

• The drain, especially if it’s not used often. Make sure that whatever you’re putting down there isn’t getting stuck and stinking up the joint (and also making things more difficult on yourself when you go to take out the trash). A simple way of preventing this is by using stoppers for drains when they’re not being used.
• The garbage disposal unit, which can collect large amounts of grease and food particles over time if it isn’t cleaned regularly or often enough. This can also cause odors in addition to being an inefficient use of space because it takes up valuable room where other appliances could be stored instead!
• Any kind of trap—the pipe leading from below into the main sewer line outside will sometimes smell bad if there’s something wrong with it, so make sure everything is sealed properly before calling someone else in just yet!

Dripping Faucet

Before you begin to fix the dripping faucet, you should inspect the problem. You’ll need to know why it’s leaking first so that you can determine if it’s going to be worth fixing. You can usually tell from looking at the leak where it came from. If it’s coming from around the top of the spout, then there are some parts inside your valve that need replacing. If it’s coming from underneath, then there is most likely a crack in one of your pipes or connections between them, and water is seeping through this crack.

If you decide that fixing a dripping faucet is worth doing, then first turn off all water supply lines leading into and out of your house (including toilets). Next remove any handles on top or sides of sink basins before removing nuts holding down fixture itself with pliers or wrench; finish removing entire piece by unscrewing screw holding bottom part together completely off bottom half using screwdriver – do not forget rubber seal around bottom edge which protects against leaks!

Fixing Options

If you’re not the type to take matters into your own hands, there are a few ways you can have your plumbing problems fixed without having to do it yourself. The first option is to call a plumber and have them fix the problem for you. A plumber will charge an hourly rate for their services, so this isn’t necessarily the best way to go, depending on what needs fixing and how much time you want them spending in your apartment or home.

The next option is to hire someone who isn’t just a plumber but has experience with both doing the job themselves and hiring out a professional service provider at the same time. This is often referred to as “double-hired” work because they are working with two different people at once (a professional and another contractor).

With the right tools, knowledge, and mindset, you can fix any plumbing problem. This article has provided a few easy-to-follow tips to keep your plumbing in good shape. If you’re still having trouble with your pipes after reading this guide, contact a local plumber for professional plumbing services!