Plumbing issues are among the most common household issues you’ll face in day to day life; there’s no way around it. But what you can get around is being unprepared for them. 

If you need help with a plumbing issue, take a look at these 5 common issues to see if you’ve got what it takes to fix it or if you should hire a professional.

1. Leaky Faucet

You may not even notice you have a leaky faucet at first, but rather than get bothered by a little bit of dripping water, fix it yourself!

The type of sink handles you have will determine how to open it up, but you can usually tell by taking a careful look at the handle. If there is no obvious screw or wrench hole, you’ll want to pry off the handle cap that says HOT or COLD and access the screw from the inside to remove it. If there is a hole, remove the handle that way and be careful not to lose any small parts down the drain.

You’ll need to replace the washer inside, so remove the packing nut on top and take out the cartridge to access it. You’ll probably only need to replace the washer or O-ring, but if this doesn’t solve the problem, you can try replacing the entire cartridge. 

2. Busted Pipes

If you suspect you have a busted pipe, don’t delay in seeking professional help. Broken pipes gone unfixed can lead to serious water damage and other issues that will be harder to fix the worse they get. 

Start by turning off your water and calling your local plumber immediately to reduce spending on wasted water and damage to your home. 

3. Clogs

Clogs are common and are usually fixable with a store-bought snake drain or plunger. For sinks and showers, use a snake drain but avoid using store-bought drain cleaner as it can cause severe damage to your pipes. 

For toilet clogs, don’t continue to flush in hopes it will go down; the water will only rise, and you’ll be left with a bigger problem. Attempt to remove it with a plunger, and if this doesn’t work — call in the experts.

4. Low Water Pressure

You don’t know a good thing until it’s gone—the water pressure that is. Low water pressure can make even the simplest tasks take forever. To fix it, remove the shower or faucet head and see if any mineral or sediment build-up is causing the constriction of the water flow. If not, you may want to call in a pro to see what else could be the problem. 

5. Running Toilet

A running toilet can be annoying, but more importantly, a big waste of money. To save your water bill, start by looking at the flapper valve; this is usually the issue and is easily fixed by replacing it. 

Don’t Get Bogged Down With Plumbing Issues

Plumbing issues can be hard for anyone, especially when you’re not a plumber. Give it your best shot, but sometimes, there’s a bigger problem at play. 

If you’re having difficulty treating even one of these common problems, don’t delay; call a professional in to give you a hand!

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