Having access to fresh, clean flowing water in our homes is a luxury not many of us tend to consider. After all, the technology has existed since the 18th century, and most people in the western world have had access to it for over 100 years. Add hot flowing water into that equation, and it's safe to say we have it pretty good with this system. However, as with all forms of technology, it is prone to breaking down on us occasionally. Issues with household plumbing make up a large majority of the average homeowner's maintenance issues. Read on to find out the most common ones and how you can help prevent them.
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The dripping faucet
We've all had to deal with a dripping faucet at some point. As well as being annoying (that dripping sound can get very tedious) a dripping faucet can be very expensive. It can, in fact, cause you a lot more money than you might think. A particularly severe faucet leak can mean you lose up to 30 gallons of water per day, costing you anything between thirty and two hundred dollars a year. You can either solve this problem with some simple DIY, or draft an expert in to deal with it if you don't feel entirely confident.
Leaky pipes
Leaking pipes can cause you an even bigger problem than a dripping faucet. Because pipes are hidden away, you are less likely to notice the leak, and it could even go unseen for months. During this time, the wasted water could have given you a hefty water bill. If the leak is very pronounced and you have a stream of water coming from, it may be best to just turn off your water valve completely. If you don't, you could risk flooding your house.
A blocked sink
If nothing at all is going down your plughole, it may be time to fix your blocked sink. In the kitchen, a leading cause of a blocked sink is cooking grease and fat. When you are cooking, pour grease and oil into an empty can and dispose of it elsewhere. In the bathroom, human hair and various toiletries can be the main cause for blocking up drains. Use a grate over the plughole in your bath or shower to catch excess hair which you can then remove with ease - after all, no one likes pulling hair out of the plughole!
The dripping faucet
We've all had to deal with a dripping faucet at some point. As well as being annoying (that dripping sound can get very tedious) a dripping faucet can be very expensive. It can, in fact, cause you a lot more money than you might think. A particularly severe faucet leak can mean you lose up to 30 gallons of water per day, costing you anything between thirty and two hundred dollars a year. You can either solve this problem with some simple DIY, or draft an expert in to deal with it if you don't feel entirely confident.
Leaky pipes
Leaking pipes can cause you an even bigger problem than a dripping faucet. Because pipes are hidden away, you are less likely to notice the leak, and it could even go unseen for months. During this time, the wasted water could have given you a hefty water bill. If the leak is very pronounced and you have a stream of water coming from, it may be best to just turn off your water valve completely. If you don't, you could risk flooding your house.
A blocked sink
If nothing at all is going down your plughole, it may be time to fix your blocked sink. In the kitchen, a leading cause of a blocked sink is cooking grease and fat. When you are cooking, pour grease and oil into an empty can and dispose of it elsewhere. In the bathroom, human hair and various toiletries can be the main cause for blocking up drains. Use a grate over the plughole in your bath or shower to catch excess hair which you can then remove with ease - after all, no one likes pulling hair out of the plughole!
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Low water pressure
Having low water pressure in your home can cause you a number of problems. You may first notice it when you are running a shower, or your faucet, and there is a weak stream of water. Before you take any costly action or ring a professional, clean your showerheads and faucets. Many people think they have low water pressure when really they just have a blocked showerhead. If you replace it and it still doesn't improve the situation, you may need to look down other avenues. Check for leaks or get a professional to see if you have any corrosion in your water pipes.
Low water pressure
Having low water pressure in your home can cause you a number of problems. You may first notice it when you are running a shower, or your faucet, and there is a weak stream of water. Before you take any costly action or ring a professional, clean your showerheads and faucets. Many people think they have low water pressure when really they just have a blocked showerhead. If you replace it and it still doesn't improve the situation, you may need to look down other avenues. Check for leaks or get a professional to see if you have any corrosion in your water pipes.
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