What Are The Most Common Plumbing Problems In San Diego?

Leaky Faucets

Dripping faucets are so normal that it’s unusual to come across someone who hasn’t dealt with them. It’s not just an annoyance; wasting water will increase your utility bills and cost you dearly. Over the year, a single faucet can waste hundreds of gallons of water.

Internal washers that have become stiff, broken, worn, or dislodged over time are often the source of faulty faucets. If this is the case, someone with basic DIY skills can typically solve the problem without much difficulty. Turn off the leaking faucet’s water supply, disassemble it, replace the defective washer, and rebuild the faucet.

Slow Drains In Sinks

This issue is usually caused by a blockage that prevents water from flowing freely. Stringy fat and food residues can be found in your kitchen sink drain, while knotted hair and soap are more likely to clog the bathroom sink.

You can clear a clogged sink using a plunger, baking soda, or a chemical clog remover. A plumber’s snake is also effective. If the issue persists, it will likely worsen, fully blocking the drain. In such a case, contact an experienced plumber in San Diego.

Blocked Drains In The Bathtub Or Shower

Hair, soap, and handwash buildup can block water drainage in tubs and showers, just like bathroom sinks. A plunger, plumber’s snake, or baking soda with vinegar can help clear clogs. If not resolved, it will worsen over time. Use a drain guard to catch hair and prevent future clogs.

Toilet Blockage

A clog occurs when the toilet bowl fills up but doesn’t drain. Paper and raw sewage usually cause this blockage. A plunger often works, but if not, use a sewer snake or a chemical drain cleaner to clear it.

Running Toilets

A running toilet wastes up to 200 gallons of water daily. The common cause is a defective flapper valve controlling water flow. A toilet repair kit can fix this easily.

Debris can also obstruct the fill and flush mechanisms. If your water bill is unusually high, add food coloring to the tank and check if it leaks into the bowl without flushing.

Malfunctioning Water Heater

You may notice this when water suddenly turns cold during a shower. Common causes include pilot light issues, sediment buildup, or a faulty thermostat.

If the pilot light needs relighting, do it carefully. For deeper issues, hire a specialist to test, maintain, and repair your water heater.

Insufficient Water Pressure

If your water seeps instead of flowing freely, it could mean low water pressure. This is common in older homes, often caused by cracked or rusted pipes.

Low pressure in tubs is usually due to mineral buildup in aerators. Soak the aerator or showerhead in vinegar to clean it or replace it entirely if necessary.

Overflowing Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals can clog from running without water, discarding hard food, or letting utensils slip in. Press the reset button first. If it doesn’t help, use a 1/4 inch Allen wrench to free the motor manually.

Leaky Pipes

Leaky pipes can damage furniture and walls and attract pests like cockroaches. Leaks usually occur at pipe joints. While tape or compounds can temporarily fix it, replacing the section or fitting is a long-term solution best handled by a plumber.

Leaks are more likely in winter when frozen water expands inside pipes.

Backup Of The Sewer System

Sewer backups are unpleasant, smelly, and costly to repair. If multiple drains or toilets aren’t working and there’s a sewage odor, that’s a sign.

The blockage location determines responsibility. If it’s on your property, you must fix it. If it’s on the city side, the water provider handles it. You may need a plumber near you to locate the issue, but contact your water provider first if you suspect it’s off your property.

In relation to the plumbing issues that plague most households, older homes may present a unique set of problems. Here are five typical plumbing issues that usually people run into when living in or maintaining older homes.

Galvanized Pipes – Before the 1960s, these were widely used in American homes. Galvanized pipes are composed of aluminum with a zinc coating. Zinc erodes over time, resulting in decay and breakage. When the pipes are damaged, the water pressure and consistency both suffer. Often, the only option is to call a skilled plumber near you and repair the piping parts that have been destroyed.

Polybutylene Pipes – These were popular in homes built between the late 1970s and the early 1990s, owing to their accessibility. These pipes, on the other hand, have a propensity to react with oxidizing agents in water over time, weakening and failing.

Previous Bad Repairs – You are essentially inheriting an old house from one or more former owners when you purchase it. As a result, the quality of previous fixes and drainage work can vary. It is not uncommon to find inadequate or mishandled plumbing that will need more permanent solutions as a result of past owners avoiding the cost of hiring a skilled plumber.

Pipe Bellies – Beneath most buildings, the earth is rarely completely still. The shifting can sometimes cause the pipes in the household to buckle or bow over time. These bends are recognized as “pipe bellies,” and they can cause blockages by interrupting the flow of water.

Fixtures From The Past – Owing to years of use, original appliances such as faucets, buttons, spigots, and controls are often damaged in an old home. This can lead to leaks, foul odors, and high energy bills. Replacement of worn fixtures is often the only choice.

If you want a minor plumbing repair or wish to replace old pipes and fixtures, we will assist you.

Count on the experts at EZ PLUMBING USA to tackle every plumbing work in your home. Our master plumbers are available 24 hours to fix and replace your outdated plumbing system.

Allow us to replace your old pipes with current models or fix the problem by preventing future clogs with no damage to the pipe.

Don’t take any risks by doing your own plumbing. Our licensed plumbers in San Diego will set up your new tub, bathroom, faucet, or toilet right away irrespective of problems happening in day or night time. With a service you can trust, you can get the modern infrastructure that your home requires.