5 Common Plumbing Pitfalls: When to Call a Plumber

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

Posted June 1, 2017

Avoid these common plumbing pitfalls that plague homeowners, especially during the summer. They are the top 5 plumbing calls we receive from customers. From dripping faucets to running toilets, find out when it’s time to call a plumber.

Common Plumbing Problems

1. Leaks

Leaks, leaks, and more leaks! There are many areas of your plumbing system that can start to become leaky. In fact, around 10% of U.S. homes have leaks that waste more than 90 gallons of water per day (EPA).

If we’re specifically talking about leaking pipes, leaks will occur when there is a crack in the pipe. Visible water and moisture marks on the wall tell you that piping behind the wall has begun to leak. This can also happen under the floor or in the ceiling. Turn off the water and call your plumber right away to avoid further damage.

Plumbing maintenance will help catch signs of corroded connections that can lead to leaks. During an annual plumbing inspection, important elements such as signs of moisture and water pressure are examined.

Other common leaks:

• leaky pipes
• leaky hose bib
• leaky washing machine hoses
• leaky water heater
• leaky faucets and toilets

If you are experiencing water meter changes, musty smells, spongy floors, and/or cracks and damage to your foundation, contact your local plumber for professional leak detection service.

2. Weak Water Pressure

Weak and low water pressure is a telltale sign that your system is in need of plumbing repair. It is common in older homes and can be caused by a variety of circumstances, most likely a leaking pipe or corrosion. A professional plumber can identify the reason for the low pressure and respond accordingly. A common place where people experience low water pressure is in the bathroom and shower.

DIY solution for weak shower head pressure: To clean your shower head and restore water pressure, fill a strong plastic bag with vinegar, place it around the shower head so it’s submerged, and tie it to the neck with a twist tie (or rubber band). Leave it on overnight and remove in the morning. Voila!

3. Dripping Faucet

Drip. Drip. Drip. A dripping faucet can be torturous! How can you stop the sound? A dripping faucet doesn’t have to affect your sleep or disrupt your life more than necessary.

Until a plumber can get to your home for repair services, try this effective, drip-quieting method:

• Tie a piece of string around the head of the faucet with a long tail of string hanging down until it reaches the bowl of the sink. The drops will collect on the string, eliminating the dripping sound.

Beyond the sound, a dripping faucet wastes quite a bit of water. If you put a bowl under the faucet overnight you may be surprised by how much is caught. Use the excess water for your indoor and outdoor plants!

Water costs money, so call Hiller as soon as you notice a drip. Hiller offers Same Day and 24/7 Emergency Service. Contact us day and night for your plumbing repairs and emergencies.

4. Clogs

You can tell if your drain is clogged if it is taking too long to drain the sink of its water. Another common clog occurs in your garbage disposal. From drains to disposals, clogs are one of the main reasons people call on professional plumbers.

Drain Clogs – A clogged drain takes a toll on daily life. People count on the sinks and drains in their kitchen and bathrooms to properly perform so that we can clean our hands, face and teeth, or wash dishes and clear food waste. You never seem to realize how much you rely on drains until they are out of order. If your water will not drain, or is draining slowly, there is a clog in need of simple plumbing repair. Don’t wait on these types of repairs; a clog will not unclog itself! Learn more about full-service sewer & drain repair in your area by visiting our website.

Garbage Disposal – If your garbage disposal has become too clogged to tackle the problem on your own, contact a professional plumber. Other common issues with garbage disposals include leaking and failing to grind up food. If your garbage disposal isn’t doing its job, time to call Hiller so we can do ours!

Hiller is your local garbage disposal specialist. We get calls all the time about residential disposal and drain trouble. We’ve also written about this topic and more on our company blog. To learn helpful Hiller tips on How to Clean, Maintain, and Repair Your Garbage Disposal and more, read our blog, updated weekly on our website.

5. Running Toilet

Beyond the annoyance of listening to continuous running water, a leaky or broken toilet is very costly. A running toilet will waste up to 200 gallons of water per day. If you wait too long to request plumbing support, the running water will cost you more than the repair service. Seek a professional plumber as soon as possible. When it comes to a running toilet in need of repair, time is money down the drain.

Toilet Tip: If your toilet is overflowing, immediately turn off the water using the valve behind the base of the toilet. This will prevent more water from filling the bowl.

Don’t treat your toilet like a trashcan. Learn what you should NOT flush down the toilet.

If you experience any of these common plumbing problems this summer, a Hiller professional can be there same day. Enjoy your summer vacation without the added worry of plumbing system hiccups. With the money and water you’ll be saving with correctly functioning drains, faucets, and toilets, you can use that water elsewhere — for example, to build a slip ‘n’ slide, or have a water balloon fight!

Happy summer and happy plumbing from Happy Hiller!

Daily Promotion

$500 Visa Gift Card w/HVAC System Purchase

Purchase Select New HVAC Systems & Receive a $500 Visa Gift Card!

Get Promotion