Home and Garden: So, how's your plumbing?

Submitted by Comfort Shield HVAC of NC

Some plumbing issues, like giant streams of water shooting up from a toilet or sink, are pretty obvious and require immediate and urgent attention. Other plumbing problems are more subtle, but may still be costing you money on your water bill — or perhaps causing problems in places you can’t see, like your pipes and crawlspace.

Here are a few common plumbing problems and how to spot them:

The Leaky Shower — Do you have water leaking from your showerhead? Is the floor wet after showers, or even when no one’s used it in a while?

You could be dealing with a problem with the shower valve, which is a fairly simple fix. If you’re only seeing water immediately after showers, mainly at the showerhead, then your issue is probably in that area.

In worse cases, there may be a leak behind the wall. Water on the floor could be a leak in the shower pan, the tub or somewhere else in the area around the shower apparatus.

The Clogged Drain — It’s not tough to tell when you’ve got a drain problem. The question is: Is it one drain, or a system-wide issue?

If multiple drains are slow, there could be trouble in the main line. If it’s just your bathroom or kitchen sink, then perhaps there’s a bit too much food, grease or hair making its way into the system.

Water Pressure — Like with the drains, the question is usually if we’re talking about the water pressure at one faucet, or all over the house? Another question a plumber will ask is whether it’s hot water, cold water or both that lack pressure.

The potential issues and outcomes are varied in this case. It could be as simple as debris caught near the spout of one faucet or as complex as a problem with the water line itself.

One thing is for certain. It isn’t going to magically get better on its own. Don’t be afraid to call a plumber and get an assessment.

The Running Toilet — You’re lying in bed at night, and all of a sudden, you hear a rush of water from your toilet. That’s bothersome, and not exactly a recipe for a good night’s sleep.

Under the lid is a flapper, and it’s possible that the seal between the tank and bowl has been compromised. Maybe the chain length needs an adjustment.

If you get stuck, call an expert.

Comfort Shield HVAC of North Carolina is a full-service plumbing company. You can visit their website at comfortshieldofnc.com or call 919-588-8015.