Plumbing issues are an inevitable part of home ownership and they can be extremely frustrating. Luckily, most are easy to repair yourself with some knowledge and the appropriate tools.
Common plumbing issues include clogged drains and toilets, dripping faucets, low water pressure and other related issues. We will explore some of these problems and their possible solutions.
Are Tree Roots Blocking Your Drains?
Tree roots are one of the leading causes of blocked drains, pipes and sewer lines. All it takes for them to get into a system is one tiny crack or gap to detect new sources of water and nutrients and latch onto them as anchor points – eventually taking over its structure and even leading to serious sewer damage if left unchecked.
First and foremost, slow draining tubs, showers, and toilets are an indication that there may be an issue. Over time, roots may begin to grow into your pipes, blocking all water flow and leading to waste build-up as well as unpleasant drain odors in your home.
If the root issue is left unaddressed for too long, sinkholes could appear outside your property as an early warning of its severity. Sinkholes indicate that roots have compromised underground systems such as pipes and have caused them to rupture – potentially dangerous conditions that should be addressed quickly with professional assistance.
One of the best ways to prevent tree root invasion is to plant trees away from drain and sewer pipes, but if this isn’t feasible it would be prudent to have your drains and sewer lines regularly cleaned with high-pressure drain cleaners to remove any incoming roots that become too big to fit through your pipes. This will also help ensure any infestation doesn’t turn into something worse like tree disease!
Copper sulfate or rock salt are both effective natural herbicides that will eradicate any small roots that invade your pipe, though either option could harm septic systems and should only ever be considered as last resort solutions.
If you suspect tree roots have entered your sewer or drain pipes, it would be prudent to hire a professional for a CCTV survey of the area. This will enable Perth plumbing experts to assess the extent of the issue as well as devise an effective removal plan – possibly including root cutting, pipe severing, or even complete replacement of the drainage system.
Clear Blocked Drains
Drip, drip, drip: this relentless rhythm can be frustrating but could also be an early indicator of serious trouble that requires immediate action to solve.
Dripping faucets often stem from worn washers or loose connection points which are easily addressed by professional plumbers. More serious leaks such as those found behind walls or below floors should never be ignored, as they could cause irreparable damage and expensive repairs to be carried out.
Clogged drains are another serious plumbing issue that should not be neglected. They can lead to water and waste build-up that is both unpleasant and hazardous to the health of your family, but may require professional intervention for removal.
While some blockages can be cleared with a plunger, others require more extensive work such as clearing an entire sewer line if a toilet continues overflowing.
To avoid clogged drains, never pour fats, oils and cooking grease down the sink or flush egg shells down the toilet. You can visit this site to learn about how to properly dispose of cooking oil. Furthermore, only flush dissolvable waste such as sanitary products and baby wipes down your toilet.
Sinkholes
Sinkholes have become a familiar sight on the news; they appear seemingly out of nowhere and seem to threaten homes or even cause fatal accidents.
While sinkholes can be terrifying and cause fatal accidents, they are actually natural depressions formed when the surface layer of earth collapses due to rocks like limestone, dolomite or gypsum which dissolve over time. Water seepage may also contribute, as can soil compaction, erosion or human activities like drilling wells, mining operations or overdrawing from water sources.
Sinkholes come in all sizes and depths from just a few feet deep to several hundred. They’re often created when the earth collapses to expose an empty space beneath. Once revealed, this space may then fill with water or debris which forms the sinkhole – sometimes it may even form lakes or ponds; in more dangerous circumstances an electrical fault nearby could turn a sinkhole deadly.
Sinkholes typically don’t pose much of a threat in most homes. Although beautiful to look at, sinkholes should never be entered by anyone; contact a professional as soon as you spot one near your residence for advice and safety purposes. You can click the link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-08/what-is-a-sinkhole/8251282 to learn more.
Water Pressure
There may be numerous causes for low water pressure. If it only impacts one faucet, check its angle stop (one of those shutoffs below the sink) to see if it has become partly closed; possibly your fixture aerators or filters have become restricted and require cleaning.
Mineral deposits can clog shower heads, faucets and clothes washers; therefore, regular soaking with vinegar may help.
Slow drains are another common plumbing problem that may be prevented through proper maintenance – soap scum often accumulates in tub drains and need to be cleared out in order to keep moving freely through them. A Zip-it tool or needle-nose pliers may help remove these items before they completely block your drain system.
If all the faucets in your house have low water pressure, this could indicate that something is amiss with the main pipes of your home and you should contact a professional plumber.
Temperature problems can also contribute to low water pressure issues. If the faucet provides too hot a temperature that you cannot touch comfortably, that indicates your hot water heater needs replacing or repair.
If the water pressure in your whole house drops suddenly, this could be a telltale sign that there’s an open or leaky valve somewhere within your main pipes – it is vitally important that this issue is rectified immediately so as to prevent possible burst pipes and flooding of your home. An experienced plumber is typically capable of solving such issues quickly and affordably.
