Why don't I have enough hot water?
Why do I hear a hissing sound from my toilet? It's because water or air is moving through your water line into your toilet tank.
Let's talk about water first, which is usually an easy fix once you find the problem. Toilets have what's called a refill valve. It controls how much water goes back into the tank after you flush. If the refill valve is not working properly, you can end up with too little or too much water after each flush.
A hissing sound can mean that the refill valve is still letting a tiny bit of water into the tank because it hasn't shut off like it's designed to. The valve shuts off automatically based on the water level in the tank. A faulty valve or one not set properly will keep running. When you hear the hissing sound, take the lid off your toilet tank. The first thing to check is to see if water is running down the overflow pipe. If it is, your refill valve is not shutting off when the tank is full. That means that water is constantly going down the refill tank and running up your water bill.
What causes pipes to leak?
There are a number of causes that make water appear where it's not supposed to in your home. Some of the most common reasons are:
Age-Nothing lasts forever, including plumbing. If your piping was installed 30 years ago or more, the materials used have started to degrade and leaks are inevitable. The older the plumbing, the greater the risk. Corrosion of the pipes themselves or the rubber seals shrinking and cracking are two of the most common pipe aging issues.
High Water Pressure-Who doesn't like good water pressure? The answer might be your pipes. Household plumbing is rated for maximum water pressure capacity and if you exceed that, the pipes will eventually leak. Even if your pressure is within the rated capacity for the pipe, repeatedly stressing the pipe with the initial surge of high water pressure will eventually wear the pipes and seals down.
Untreated clogs-If you have used a corrosive substance to get rid of a clog, especially more than once, it's possible that the drain cleaner is stuck somewhere eating away at the pipes instead of the clog. Harsh chemical clog removers can be more trouble than they are worth, so it's a good idea to call a licensed plumber the next time a drain backs up.
Pipe Joint Damage-Extreme weather like repeated heating and cooling can cause cracks in pipes, which eventually turn to leaks. Pipe joints are a common place for this to happen.
Fixture Cracks-If a faucet, sink or toilet has been pulled on or damaged, leaks can develop near the joint that attaches them to your plumbing. If you persistently find any water near fixtures, call a licensed plumber to check things out.
Improper Installation-What might seem to be an easy DIY plumbing project might have unexpected complications. If you suspect that you might have improperly installed piping, call a licensed plumber for an inspection before the damage gets worse.
Shifted Connections-Long term foundation or ground shifting can eventually strain a connection until it gives way and starts to leak. If there is no other explanation for a leak, this could be the cause.
If you notice stains on the wall, a moldy smell or water where it doesn't belong, it's likely you have a leak. Other signs of a leak are discolored or smelly water, which means that your water supply has been contaminated by an open pipe.
If you think you have a leak, don't wait.
A leaking faucet is a common issue that many people face. The constant drips leaking from a faucet can result in an increased water bill in addition to constant annoyance. There are several reasons why your faucet could be leaking. A few reasons why a faucet could be leaking include damage or malfunction of the faucet valves, the washers or the O-rings. These parts of a faucet are vital in maintaining proper function of the faucet and preventing leakages along the pipeline. Although there are many types of faucets, the repair mechanism for most is generally the following: disassemble the faucet and reassemble the faucet, while stopping any leaks during the process. There are several tools needed to disassemble and reassemble the faucet; they include a basin wrench and a few other common tools like a screwdriver and replacement parts depending on the type of faucet.
Frozen pipes are one of the biggest cold weather frustrations. When you go to turn on the water and you get silence instead of the familiar sound of flowing water, your pipes are frozen and you have a major problem on your hands.
Here are six ways you can keep your pipes from freezing before the next cold snap hits.
Open interior doors- Don't shut off the heat to individual rooms in your house, because plumbing goes everywhere. You never know when you are opening up a section of pipes to freezing by shutting interior doors. Also, open cabinet doors in bathrooms, kitchens and anywhere else you have plumbing. A little bit of heat in the right place could make a big difference.
There are also some
longer term solutions that you can put into place to keep your pipes from freezing.
Apply heating tape- Heating tape can be wrapped around exposed pipes to bring warmth directly to the source. You can buy it with an internal thermostat that will sense when heat is needed so it goes on and off automatically. If you prefer a cheaper option, you can simply plug it in and it will stay on all the time. Using tape with constant current requires you to unplug it during warmer months. Either option requires you to check on the heat tape periodically to make sure that there are no electrical issues that could cause a fire.
Add extra insulation-
Pipes located in basements, attics or other areas with lighter insulation are more vulnerable to freezing. You can insulate the pipes themselves with foam rubber or fiberglass sleeves, or insulate the entire space.
Is your water pressure too low? Here are some ways you can increase the water pressure in your home.
First, you need to find out what you have to work with. Put a water pressure test gauge on an outside spigot and see what the pressure is. They cost about ten dollars if you don't have one. If it's below 40 psi, which is on the low end of standard, then it's time to do some more digging. Standard water pressure is 45 to 55 psi.
What do you do if your water heater is leaking?
The first thing to do is find out where the water is actually coming from. Like many other problems, some are easier, and cheaper, to fix than others.
The first place to start is at the top with the water supply lines.
You may be seeing water on the floor, but that doesn't mean that it came from the bottom of the water heater. Look at where the water lines come into the room and follow them all the way down to the top of the tank. If you find water, try to trace the source.
Flexible water supply tubes have been known to fail long before the water heater itself is ready to retire. If there is insulation, be sure to remove it to see if it is wet underneath. To replace the flex lines turn off the water supply and the water heater itself. If you feel like the job is too big for you, call a licensed plumber.
If you have changed the water supply tubes and you are still seeing leakage, the next items to check are the water heater's nipples where the water is taken in to be heated. Water heater nipples are difficult to remove, but it can be done. Just be careful not to damage the water heater in the process. Again, make sure the water supply is turned off and the water heater is off before beginning the process.
Flexible water supply tubes have been known to fail long before the water heater itself is ready to retire. If there is insulation, be sure to remove it to see if it is wet underneath. To replace the flex lines turn off the water supply and the water heater itself. If you feel like the job is too big for you, call a licensed plumber.
"What is that SMELL?"
Those are usually the first words that come to mind when you discover that your sink smells like rotten eggs.