Some plumbing problems can be solved on a do-it-yourself basis, but most require a licensed professional plumber.
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Like power and HVAC, plumbing is one of the most critical parts of your home whose infrastructure you rarely see. Behind your walls, hundreds of feet of pipes serve as your home’s blood vessels, delivering hot and cold water at the touch of a button. Plumbing is very easy to take for granted. It works perfectly…until the moment it stops working.
Here’s a look at some of the most common plumbing problems and how to deal with them.
Slow drain bathtubs and sinks
Sinks and tubs naturally pick up all kinds of residues such as soap or hair. This can be as simple as using a pipe snake or a homemade vinegar and baking soda mix. However, if multiple sinks are having the same problem, you may have a problem with your main line, such as a water leak. B. a leak, a major blockage or tree roots getting into the line. In this case, you need professional help.
Leaking faucets
This is possibly the most common of all installation problems (and one of the most annoying!). Usually a corroded valve, loose washer, or bad o-ring is the problem, and it’s an easy fix. You can often do this yourself if you know what you’re doing, but it can be easier and more reliable to ask a professional.
no hot water
Instant hot water is another modern convenience we all take for granted. If you turn on the faucet and only cold water comes out, you probably have a problem with the water heater. Take a look and see if it’s working (and if it’s gas powered, make sure the pilot light hasn’t gone out.) Water heaters are best left to the professionals.
Clogged device
Essentially, your installation does two jobs for you: it supplies the water and it ensures that the water is safe to EXIT. This service is important for any establishment, but most importantly for the toilet, for obvious reasons. Plumbing lines depend on a clear path to work properly; Lots of things can clog them. You can often unclog a clog with a plunger, but if that doesn’t work, call professional help.
Clogged sewer line
One of the big ones: A clogged sewer line can cause every fixture in your home to become clogged, requiring immediate professional attention. A professional often uses a camera to examine the problem and find the solution. Sometimes it’s easy to clean up; In other cases, they may need to drill out tree roots. The more complex the problem, the more expensive the repair becomes and in the worst case the line itself has to be replaced.
The cost of each job will vary widely depending on your system, the parts you need, and where you live. Expect to pay around $100 to $400 on average for basic services like leaking faucets or clogged faucets. After that, you pay an hourly rate that typically starts at around $70.
Another crucial safety tip: make sure you know where all of your shut-off valves are located. This is the quickest way to turn off potential flooding when a device is seriously broken. Sinks and toilets usually have a valve near the floor that you can turn quickly. In case of a serious problem, you can also close the main valve that supplies water to your house. This is usually in your basement, utility room, or near the water meter. If you don’t know where this valve is located, ask your installer to show you.
Tweet your home care questions with #AskingAngi and we’ll try to answer them in a future column.
www.limaohio.com
https://www.limaohio.com/features/lifestyle/2023/03/25/ask-angi-what-are-the-most-common-plumbing-problems/
