Plumber Woodland Hills involves fixing issues with pipes, drains, toilets, and water heaters. Homeowners can easily solve some problems, while others require professional assistance.
For example, if your home has galvanized steel pipes, they may rust and need replacing with PVC or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) pipes. Whole-house re-piping is also required when older pipes leak or burst.
There’s nothing worse than a leaky faucet or toilet, and it’s not only wasteful but can also lead to expensive water bills and damage to your home’s pipes and fixtures over time. Fortunately, fixing most of these problems is relatively easy and can save you the frustration of constantly listening to that dripping noise.
Start by locating your home’s water meter, which should be in a box on the sidewalk near your house or in a basement close to the foundation of your home. After two hours without running any water or flushing the toilet, go back and read the meter again. If the number has gone up, you have a leak and need to take action.
Leaking sink faucets are usually caused by worn washers, which rest against the valve seat and wear down over time. Changing the washers is a simple fix that can usually be completed in less than an hour. Before beginning the repair, shut off your water at the fixture’s valve, which is usually located under the sink and can be turned off by turning the handle clockwise. Then, remove the faucet handle (you may need an Allen wrench or a screwdriver) and set it aside, along with the washers.
If your toilet is constantly running, it’s often a result of a malfunctioning flapper or tank valve. A hard or corroded flapper can allow water to escape the tank when you flush, causing your toilet to run continuously. In some cases, the problem is simply a worn out gasket or float that can be easily replaced.
In general, most toilets are built with a tank that holds water and a flush valve that opens to send water into the bowl when you push the lever or flush button. However, some older models use a ball float or a fill valve instead of a flush valve and a flapper. In most cases, you can fix a running toilet by replacing the float or fill valve and adjusting it to ensure that it stops the flow of water when the tank is full, but does not overflow into the overflow tube.
When your home experiences low water pressure, it could be due to a number of issues. If it’s caused by a situation with the municipal water supply, like a broken water main or water hydrant flushing, there’s not much you can do but wait until they fix it. However, if it’s a long-term problem or occurs frequently, the source may be closer to home.
One of the most common causes of low water pressure is leaks in your plumbing pipes. Even a small leak can decrease water pressure because it forces the water to exit the pipe before reaching your faucet. Check under sinks and behind water-using appliances to look for signs of leaking. If you find a wet spot or pooling water, call your plumber to repair the leak before it gets worse.
Another potential cause of low water pressure is a sediment blockage in your home’s pipes. Mineral deposits like rust, limestone and sediment build up in your pipes over time and can reduce the flow of water. The good news is that most of these blockages can be cleared without professional help using a snaking tool.
If the issue is widespread throughout your home, it may be because of a water pressure regulator that needs to be replaced. You can test this by turning on several faucets in your home and seeing if the water pressure increases. If the water pressure remains low, it’s likely that the regulator isn’t functioning properly and needs to be replaced by a local plumbing professional.
If you’re still experiencing low water pressure after scanning your house, try knocking on your neighbors’ doors or texting them to see if they are having the same issue. If everyone in your neighborhood is experiencing low water pressure, it may be a situation with the municipal water supply that’s affecting your entire area and will take time to resolve. You may also want to consider having a booster pump installed by your plumber to increase the pressure from your water main to your house. This will ensure you have enough water for your family’s daily needs while maintaining a healthy flow of water at your faucets.
Clogged drains are perhaps one of the most common plumbing problems homeowners face. Left unchecked, these clogs can evolve into more serious issues that result in water backup and even pipe damage within the home. The first signs of a clogged drain include slow drainage or water pooling in the sink. If this occurs, try plunging the affected drain to see if it breaks up the clog. If this is unsuccessful, consider trying a chemical drain cleaner.
If these remedies fail, it’s time to call a plumber in for a professional drain cleaning. To determine the location of the clog, your plumber may use a special camera to get an inside look at your pipes. This technology allows them to pinpoint the source of the clog and recommend the best course of action.
Some types of clogs are more difficult to fix than others. For example, a kitchen sink drain clog is often caused by food scraps and other debris that can be dislodged with a plunger or an auger. Other clogs may be more severe and require the use of a drain snake or a commercial clog remover. It’s important to note that persistent clogs in kitchen or bathroom drains could be an indication of a larger problem with your home’s plumbing system, such as broken or undersized pipes.
The good news is that it’s possible to prevent drain clogs from developing in the first place. Using drain strainers to catch hair and other debris, regularly flushing your drains with hot water, and pouring a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain on a weekly basis can all help keep your drains clear.
If your clogged drain is located in the toilet, it’s important to contact a professional immediately. A clogged toilet is much more difficult to repair than a bathtub or shower drain, and can cause sewage to back up into your home’s plumbing system if it becomes too full. It’s also a good idea to use a plumber if your clog is near the sewer line since this type of clog typically requires specialized tools and techniques to resolve.
Water quality is a big concern for many homeowners. While municipal water supplies are regulated to ensure safety, contaminants can still enter your home’s supply through damaged pipes and other factors. Regular plumbing repairs can help preserve your home’s water quality and prevent dangerous contamination.
One of the most obvious signs that your water quality is poor is a foul smell or taste. This can be caused by contaminated sewage or other disease-causing microorganisms. Another common sign of bad water quality is stains on your sinks, tubs, and toilets. These stains can be caused by high levels of iron or other minerals in your water.
You can also tell if your water is contaminated by looking for a white film on your shower walls and shower curtain. This is a sign of hard water that contains mineral deposits. Additionally, you can test your home’s water for heavy metals by searching for a yellowish or greenish hue. Heavy metals in your home’s water can cause a number of health issues, including nausea and stomach problems.
Leaky pipes are the most common cause of tainted water, but other causes can include old pipework, sediment buildup, and chemicals from nearby construction sites. In addition, a plumbing repair professional can help you install a water filter to improve your water’s overall quality.
Aside from protecting your family’s health, maintaining good water quality is also important for the environment. Water leaks waste large amounts of water, which can lead to high utility bills and environmental pollution. Plumbing repair services can help minimize water wastage by repairing leaky faucets and toilets as well as checking for and fixing hidden leaks.
Your plumbing system suffers the most when water quality is poor, as it is constantly working to pump fresh water into your home. Thankfully, a good plumbing repair service can provide you with clean, safe, and healthy water for all your household needs.
