Common Causes for Residential Plumbing Issues

Clogged Pipes

Arguably the most common plumbing issue is a clogged pipe, which can result in leaky faucets, slow drains, or drains that don’t—well, drain. If you notice any of these signs of a clogged pipe, it’s crucial that you take care of it immediately. Handling the plumbing problem early is the difference between a partial clog and complete clog. As you can imagine, a complete clog is gross and more expensive to fix.

Sump Pumps

If you have a house with a basement, you probably have a sump pump. Sump pumps are absolutely necessary for most basements, but they’re also notorious for causing problems. A sump pump might fail for a number of reasons. The drainage pipes might be clogged, or the pump may not have been installed properly. You also may have had a major storm that overwhelmed the pump’s capacity. Finally, your sump pump could simply be old and need replacement. To prevent or at least reduce the damage of a basement flood, you need a quality sump pump, and you need to maintain it properly.

Hard Water

A lot of people underestimate what hard water can do to their plumbing. Hard water can cause pipes to clog and corrode over time and eventually cause leaks or pipe bursts. As if those problems aren’t bad enough, hard water can be detrimental to your hair and dry out your skin. Even if your skin care routine is impeccable, hard water will say otherwise. Most homes should have a water softener to prevent damaged pipes, appliances, and faucets. Of course, you can’t afford to let hard water hurt your glowing skin and luscious hair, either.

There are dozens of common causes for residential plumbing issues, but the ones we mentioned are definitely the most common. Keep an eye out for any of these plumbing problems, and do your best to repair them as soon as possible. If you’re not very handy (and most people aren’t when it comes to plumbing), don’t be afraid to call a plumber––you might save yourself some future trouble.