Drip, drip, drip. No matter how tightly you turn the handle, the faucet keeps dripping. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh. You jiggle the handle, but the toilet keeps running. These sounds are not music to the ears; they signal two of the most common plumbing issues.
In our most recent blog, the plumbers at Ravinia Plumbing, Sewer, Heating & Electric discuss some plumbing issues to look out for in your Chicago North Shore and Chicago Northwest suburban home.
Common Plumbing Problems to Watch Out For
If you recognize any of the following issues, consider calling a licensed plumber to address them for you.
Leaky Pipes
Water pipes may begin to leak at joints, leaving a puddle under a pipe. If not fixed relatively quickly, leaking pipes can cause significant damage to your home and raise your monthly water bills. If your recent water bills are rising despite not changing your water usage habits, contact a plumber.
Dripping Faucets
Ignoring a dripping faucet adds unnecessary costs to your water bill. A damaged or worn washer or cartridge inside the dripping faucet often causes a plumbing problem and must be replaced.
Slow Drains
A partially or completely clogged toilet, sink, shower, or tub drain will drain water slowly. Slow drains are often a sign that the drain will eventually completely stop draining water. Drain cleaning service for a slow-draining sink or tub might help at first, but if the slow-drain issue persists, there might be underlying issues. Avoid using chemical drain cleaners and contact a licensed plumber.
Running Toilets
You may need to adjust or replace the fill valve, replace the flapper, or replace the flush valve that controls the water flow from the tank to the bowl. A running toilet can be annoying, but it can also lead to more serious issues down the road.
Low Water Pressure
When water trickles rather than streams from your showerheads or faucets, you have a low-pressure problem. One of the most common causes of this issue is sediment building up on aerators, which are small screens located in faucets and showerheads. Other issues may include old, galvanized steel pipes that have rusted internally, or you may have a leak in the pipes between your home and the water main that will need repair services.
Jammed Garbage Disposal
Dropping foreign objects into the garbage disposal or attempting to dispose of the wrong food items such as any fibrous peels, or even running the disposal without running enough water, can jam the appliance.
Faulty Water Heater
If you experience a faulty water heater, your pilot light may be out, or mineral deposits may have built up in your hot water heater. A faulty thermostat or thermocouple can also contribute to faulty water heaters.
Sewer System Backup
A slow or clogged sewer line can cause sewage to back up and out of toilets, tubs, showers, or floor drains. Putting feminine hygiene products, wipes, or grease in toilets or sinks causes blockages. Tree roots also can invade or break pipes, and older sewer lines may collapse. When blocked sewer lines have developed, they can become very costly to fix.
Overflowing Toilet
If the water continues to rise in the bowl when you flush the toilet, you likely have a clog in the toilet or in the pipe leading to the main sewer line. A licensed plumber should inspect clogged toilets.
Burst Pipes
When water pipes become exposed to very cold temperatures, the water inside the pipes may freeze. The frozen water expands and puts pressure on the pipes, causing them to burst. Pipe corrosion can cause pipes to vibrate when faucets are turned on and off, which can wear and burst.
No matter the common plumbing problem that comes your way, contact Ravinia Plumbing for fast and effective service.
Ravinia Plumbing Provides Full Plumbing Inspections
One of the easiest ways to keep your home’s entire plumbing system in tip-top shape is by contacting Ravinia Plumbing for a whole home plumbing inspection. We recommend having your plumbing system inspected once every year or whenever you notice a plumbing issue. Call a plumber to have a thorough inspection performed.
This service includes a visual inspection of your entire plumbing system. Our licensed plumbers can catch small issues before they lead to bigger, more expensive repairs and can recommend the necessary repairs. Check out our coupons page for discounts on plumbing services.
Contact Ravinia Plumbing for Your Home’s Plumbing Needs
Some common plumbing problems are just annoying, but many of these issues can also cause costly damage to your home and plumbing systems. Slow or clogged drains, for example, can at first just seem to be annoying, but can quickly lead to serious damage.
Contact Ravinia Plumbing today to assess and solve the plumbing problem before major damage occurs from a plumbing emergency. From sump pump failure to dripping faucets that run all night, our team can help. Our licensed plumbers are expertly trained to handle any plumbing job – big or small – and can restore your plumbing fixtures in no time.
