Too many people, a leaky tap or faucet is often something that can be ignored. Yet, left over time, this can lead to a high utility or water bill and may even result in greater damage to your plumbing or home.
Luckily, if noticed early, a leaky tap can often be fixed. Common solutions include replacing worn or inefficient washers. Even if the entire tap needs to be replaced then this can be completed with relative ease.
Found commonly in the bathroom and kitchen, where plumbing is mostly found, drains are another area open to damage or wear and tear. When this gets blocked the water has nowhere to go, clogging up the sink, bath or shower basin as a result.
A simple plunger might remove a blockage near the water surface via suction whilst cleaning the piping by unscrewing it from the fixture could remove any blockages found further along your plumbing.
Working in a similar function to a clogged drain, blocked toilets are also a common occurrence. Here it is more often a buildup of waste rather causing the problem.
Again, a simple plunger will do the trick. Failing this a sewer snake or other device can infiltrate around the U-bend. In more extreme cases, the pipes themselves might need addressing. The problem may also lie inside the toilet; perhaps a faulty ball-cock is leaking water rather than providing an adequate flush.
The kitchen sink might be the most commonly used area of plumbing in the home, so it makes sense that it’s a common area for problems. The pipes under the sink, often doubling as a kitchen storage area, can often play suspect to leaks.
Often, this is caused by the pipe being knocked out of place. Usually tightening the affected area will solve the problem. In the case of extreme damage or scrapes, where an actual hole in a piece of pipe is causing leakage, the pipe may need to be replaced.
