Whether you’re a new homeowner in Tempe, AZ, or have lived in the Valley of the Sun for years, plumbing issues are a universal challenge. From leaky faucets that murmur throughout the night to drains that refuse to do their one job, plumbing problems can range from mildly annoying to seriously disruptive.
Today’s blog aims to be your go-to guide, a beacon in the murky waters of household plumbing woes. Focusing on common issues encountered by Tempe residents, we’ll explore practical solutions that aim to restore harmony and flow to your home. Stay tuned as we untangle the mysteries of your pipes and drains, making plumbing problems a thing of the past.
Identifying Leak Sources
To find out where leaks are coming from in your home’s plumbing, start by looking over all the pipes you can see. Check them for any wet spots or watermarks.
Pay extra attention to where pipes come together because leaks often start there. If you’re unsure about how to properly inspect for leaks or need assistance identifying the source, you can learn more by consulting with a professional plumber who has the experience and expertise to thoroughly assess your plumbing system.
If you see any pipes that look like they’re changing color, bending, or rusting, it might mean there’s a leak. Also, watch for any strange smells that could tell you there’s water damage hiding somewhere.
When you’re trying to spot water damage, remember to check around sinks, toilets, showers, and anywhere else you use a lot of water. If you notice the walls looking puffy, the paint starting to peel, or the wallpaper looking like it’s lifting, water might be getting in.
It’s also a good idea to look at your ceilings and floors for spots or stains that don’t make sense, since leaks can move around and show up where you least expect them.
Unclogging Drains and Toilets
When you have clogged drains or toilets at home, first try using a plunger to see if it can fix the problem. Sometimes, this easy tool works well, and you don’t need to do anything else. But if the plunger doesn’t solve the problem, you might have to think about other ways, like using a drain snake or choosing safe-for-the-environment cleaning solutions for drains.
Here are some advice for you to deal with these usual issues in the house plumbing:
- Make sure to check the P-trap under the sink to ensure it isn’t clogged before you do anything else.
- When using a drain snake, put it in slowly to avoid any damage to your pipes.
- Avoid using too much force with the drain snake to avoid breaking the pipes.
- Think about using nature-friendly options like mixing baking soda and vinegar to get rid of the blockage.
- To avoid clogs in the future and keep the drainage running well, regularly pour hot water down the drains.
These steps should help you manage clogged drains and toilets more effectively.
Fixing Dripping Faucets
A simple solution to stop faucets in your house from dripping is often changing the old washer in the faucet handle. It’s essential to keep faucets in good condition to not only stop the drip noise but also save water.
Doing this repair yourself can help you save some money and time. For this job, you must have specific tools ready like an adjustable wrench, screwdrivers, and new washers that fit your faucet.
Begin the fix by turning off the water supply to the faucet you’re working on. Then, make sure to cover the drain so small pieces don’t fall inside. Carefully take apart the faucet handle with the right tools until you find the old washer.
Take that one out and put in a new one, making sure it fits well. Put the faucet handle back together, turn the water supply back on, and check if there are any leaks. By doing these steps, you can easily stop faucets from dripping and help save water at home.
Dealing With Low Water Pressure
Addressing low water pressure can be quite annoying, but thankfully, there are straightforward steps you can take to solve this usual problem in your house’s plumbing. Here are some solutions and tips for troubleshooting to assist you in keeping a good water flow in your home:
- Look for Leaks: Check all your taps, pipes, and fixtures to see if any leaks might be causing the water pressure to drop.
- Clean Aerators: Sometimes, mineral deposits can block the water flow in faucet aerators. It’s a good idea to take them off and clean them often to keep the pressure up.
- Check Pressure Regulator: If your home uses a pressure regulator, make sure it’s adjusted properly and working correctly.
- Open Shut-Off Valves Fully: Ensure that all the shut-off valves in your house are open all the way to let the water flow freely.
- Think About Using a Water Softener: In areas with hard water, using a water softener can help prevent minerals from building up in your pipes, which helps keep the water pressure stable.
Repairing Running Toilets
When your toilet keeps running, it might be because of a leak or the float mechanism needing some adjustment.
You can often fix these problems with a few quick tweaks or changing some parts.
Let’s go through how you can find and repair the issue with your running toilet effectively.
Fixing Toilet Leaks
To fix a leak in your toilet, you need to first find where the water is coming from. Check the toilet parts to see if you can spot any problems. Here are some steps you can follow to solve the issue:
- Check if the toilet seal has any damage or if it’s worn out.
- See if there’s water on the floor around the toilet base, which might mean the seal isn’t good.
- Make sure the water supply line is connected well and there are no leaks.
- Look at the flush valve and the flapper to see if they aren’t working right or if they’re in the wrong position.
- Check the fill valve for any leaks or if it’s not working properly, as this could be why the water keeps running.
Try to follow these steps to help you with the leaking toilet.
Adjusting Float Mechanism
To fix a toilet that keeps running, first, look inside the toilet tank and check the float mechanism. Make sure it’s set right. If you see the float arm is bent or touching other parts and causing the float to stick, you should adjust it. Make sure the float arm can move up and down smoothly without hitting anything.
Also, look at the water level in the tank and change the float so the water level is lower than the overflow pipe. If the toilet still runs after this, you might need to clean off any dirt or mineral deposits that could be stopping the float from moving properly.
Following these steps to adjust the float and troubleshoot the float mechanism should help you stop the toilet from running all the time.
