Two Common Issues with Plumbing & What Causes Them

Plumbing issues are never fun, but with a little help from this troubleshooting guide, it can make things easier on you if it does happen. There are lots of things that can cause havoc with the plumbing system in your property. One of the main things is not taking care of the system correctly. This includes dumping things down the drains or toilets that do not belong in them. Damage can also happen due to structural issues with the building. Follow this guide to help you repair some common plumbing issues

Slow Drains

One of the most common issues with plumbing is when the drains drain water too slowly. This usually is due to a blockage somewhere in the pipes leading to the drain. When you have things that get sucked into the drain that does not break down, it creates a huge block within the pipe. One of the main things that cause blocks is human hair. Every time you wash your hair, you shed and it gets pulled into the drain.

A way to bypass this issue is placing a drain catcher over the shower drain. Once the blockage is in there, you will need a plumber's snake to suck it out. Blockages in kitchen sinks are caused by grease, fats, or food that is dumped down the drain. These ones can usually be broken up using special drain cleaning products but may require a snake if the problem persists.

Clogged Toilet

A clogged toilet is not only a total nightmare, but it can also be unsanitary. A sign of a clogged toilet is when the toilet will not flush properly. The contents stay in the toilet and the water rises higher and can even spill out of the toilet. This leads to a huge, disgusting mess. This is caused by something being put in the toilet and flushed that was not meant for the septic system. Never flush down paper towels, napkins, baby wipes, or other materials other than toilet paper. Even using too much toilet paper can cause a clog in some cases. You can try using a plunger to get rid of the clog, but you may need a plumber's snake to properly remove it.

When the problems cannot be solved by troubleshooting steps, you will need to get help from a plumber. They have the correct tools to reach the clogs without causing damage to the system. Many of them even provide emergency services.