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Common and Preventable Plumbing Issues

10 Common Household Plumbing Problems

Every home has plumbing problems every once in a while, no matter how old or new the home’s plumbing system is. There could be a plethora of problems related to your piping, fixtures, septic systems, and more that are more common than you may think.

Wear and tear over time is completely normal and small parts connected to your pipes and fixtures can easily wear away sometimes quicker than their suggested lifespan. Other issues related to your home’s plumbing could involve how often your system is maintained.

Here are some common problems related to plumbing in households.

1. Dripping Faucets

A dripping faucet with even the slowest, smallest drip of water can end up costing you more money on your home’s water bill and wastes gallons of water over time.

2. Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure can affect all of the faucets in your home from your bathroom to your kitchen sink. The leading cause of low water pressure is calcium and sediment buildup in pipes that make it hard for water to pass through. Other causes could include pipe corrosion and blocked sewer lines, which a licensed plumber can easily diagnose and fix.

3. Clogged Drains

Have you noticed that the water drains from your sinks or tubs at a snail’s pace? That means your drains are clogged. Almost anything that can fit through the opening of your drain can cause a clog like hair, small toys, build-up, and more. You can avoid this by cleaning your drains regularly, or for more complicated problems, contact a plumber to help remove the backup.

4. Leaking Hose Bibb

During the summer, you may experience a leaking hose bibb. Hose bibbs often crack during cold months in the winter, which leads to leaks during the summer. You can buy a frost-proof hose bibb to prevent this.

5. Sump Pump Failure

A sump pump collects water in a sump basin and is usually found in basements. Sump pump failures usually occur when there are problems with the switch, improper pump installation, water overflow, or if you have had the pump for over 10 years.

6. Broken Water Heater

Sometimes water heaters malfunction and your warm, comfortable shower can quickly turn into a cold and uncomfortable nightmare. There are many issues that can cause a water heater to fail like your pilot light going out, sediment buildup in the tank, faulty thermostat, and more.

The safest way to fix your water heater is by calling a professional to inspect it and make repairs.

7. Jammed Garbage Disposal

Most newer homes have garbage disposal systems that help you grind down solid foods that would otherwise clog your pipes if it was thrown down the drain. However, garbage disposals can jam from certain foods and silverware if you’re not careful.

Easily free a jam by using the key that comes with or an Allen wrench to free the motor.

8. Sewage Backup

A sewer system backup is a smelly and nasty nightmare of a plumbing problem to have. They can cause your toilets to back up and can lead to a bad odor and buildup of human waste.

A plumber can locate the blockage and fix your sewage system if the system is on your property.

9. Running Toilet

The sound of a running toilet is hard to miss. You can hear the water running for a long time even after flushing. A common cause of a running toilet could be a faulty flapper valve that controls the flow of water that passes through the tank.

You can easily fix this issue by using a toilet repair kit that’s found at most hardware stores. If your toilet still runs after your attempt to fix it, then you should contact an experienced plumber to locate the problem and repair it.

10. Clogged Toilet

You can almost immediately notice when your toilet is clogged if you flush and notice the water in the bowl doesn’t drain but overflows. This is usually caused by a blockage of toilet paper and human waste and can be fixed by using a plunger.


If you are experiencing troubles with your plumbing, HPS Plumbing Services can help repair, replace, and maintain your home’s plumbing. Call [[INVALID_TOKEN]] or contact us online to resolve your plumbing problems today
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