How to Deal with Bathroom Water Damage
A beautiful, well-maintained bathroom is a fantastic asset to any home. It is also one of the hardest things to keep up. There is a host of common problems that occur in bathrooms. Here are a few of those common problems and simple solutions for how to fix them.
Dripping Faucets
Few things are more annoying than a faucet that will just not stop dripping. Much worse than annoyance, however, is the potential it has to raise your water bill. A singular dripping faucet could send hundreds of gallons of water down the drain in a single year. In cases with multiple dripping faucets or faucets that are dripping severely you could literally be watching two hundred dollars per year go down the drain.
To fix this problem you’ll need to shut off the water valves under your sink, turn on the faucet, and let all the remaining water trickle out to drain the water lines. You’ll then need to remove the screw cover, remove the screw and then lift the handle right off. From there you’ll be able to take a look at the cap and the adjusting ring. Tighten the adjusting ring with needle nose pliers. That should stop the leak, however, if it doesn’t you will likely need to replace the seats and springs of the faucet.
Low Water Pressure
When you turn on your faucet and what should be a strong, steady stream of water comes only trickles you most likely have low water pressure. A common cause of low water pressure comes from mineral deposits in pipes. The water that flows through the pipes contains mineral deposits that gradually attach themselves to metal surfaces. This will cause blockage and decreased water flow over time. If this is the case for you, check the other water sources in the house to determine if the low pressure is isolated or spread throughout the house. This will help you know where you need to look to find the source of the problem.
Running Toilet Water
Jiggling the toilet handle repeatedly to get the toilet to flush properly gets old pretty quick. When it gets to this point, it may be time to replace the inner workings of your toilet. A simple toilet repair kit works for this problem and is fairly simple to fix. Occasionally, however, there may be more complex reasons for why this would happen. If upon preliminary inspection a simple repair kit doesn’t do the job then it would be wise to get help from professionals who have experience dealing with such issues.
When to Call a Professional Plumber
Some of these issues are too hazardous or too involved for people to do on their own. As an obvious rule of thumb, if you’re not sure you know what you’re doing you should always involve a professional. In cases like these, however, it is important to look to professionals for help.
- Installation of new pipes, sinks, or tubs
- Water heater issues
- Septic tank leaks
- Sewer line breaks or leaks
