The average homeowner calls a plumber at least once every three years. No matter how well you maintain your plumbing system, some plumbing problems are just inevitable. If your Houma or Thibodaux home is experiencing any of the common plumbing problems on this list, call Doug’s to take care of it for you.
The 6 Most Common Plumbing Problems & What You Can Do About Them
1. No Hot Water
Nothing will wake you up quite so effectively as discovering your hot shower isn’t actually hot. There are several reasons your water heater may be malfunctioning, from a buildup of sediment to a burned out element to a leaking tank, and the resolution depends upon the problem. If you don’t see an obvious leak or blown-out pilot light, call Doug’s to determine what’s causing your loss of hot water.
2. Sump Pump Failure
With our high water table, it’s easy for your sump pump to become overwhelmed. If your sump pump has failed, check the discharge line for clogs—the most common sump pump problem. Also make sure to test your sump pump every couple months to ensure it’s working properly.
3. Backed Up Drains
Drain clogs are one of those inevitable issues you face as a homeowner. Whether it’s a minor toilet clog that you can clear up with your plunger or a major clog that requires professional drain snaking, it’s an inconvenience! You can prevent many clogs just by being careful what you send down your drains. Don’t flush wet wipes, even if they claim they’re flushable. Don’t put cooking grease down your sink drain or fibrous foods in your garbage disposal. And install mesh covers on your shower drains to avoid hair clogs.
4. Low Water Pressure
It’s hard to enjoy a relaxing shower when your water pressure is more of a trickle than a shower. Before you call Doug’s, try installing a new shower head—low flow shower heads are designed to make the most of lower water pressure. If a new shower head doesn’t solve the problem, you may have a leak that requires a professional plumber.
5. Running Toilets
You may think it’s just an annoyance, but if your toilet is running it could be wasting as much as 200 gallons of water every day. Rather than waste hundreds of gallons of water and who knows how much money, take the tank lid off your toilet and do some troubleshooting. You most likely have a decayed flapper ring or too-short flapper chain. Both are easy fixes.
6. Drippy Faucets
Much like the running toilet, a drippy faucet is generally considered annoying rather than truly problematic. But also like the toilet, that drip can compound into a waste of water and money that really adds up. The EPA estimates that over a trillion gallons are wasted each year by drippy faucets. So get that drip fixed, fast.
As always, Doug’s is available to solve your plumbing problems whenever you need us. Contact us at (985) 746-1116.
