6 Commonly-Asked Plumbing Questions

Do you have a leaking pipe or a clogged drain? Well, these are common plumbing problems not only in Brisbane but Australia as a whole. Most people panic when they get plumbing problems in the home. The first thing that they do is call a plumber since they think such problems require a professional to fix. But it’s not always as complex as they look. You’ll be surprised to learn that you can fix most of these plumbing issues yourself. If you want to learn how to fix the common plumbing problems in your home, read through this article as we are providing answers to 6 commonly-asked plumbing questions.

Tap Is Leaking, What to Do?

A leaking tap is usually a result of worn-out or damaged rubber washers or rings. Rubber-based rings are usually added to the tap as a washer to make them watertight. With time, the rubber may wear down, especially rings for the hot water taps, to a point where it cannot hold water anymore. Therefore, if your taps are leaking, then you should start by looking at the condition of the rubber washers. Check if the rubber has worn out or not. If yes, these rings are not difficult to replace with a new one.

The other cause of leaking taps is wearing out of silicon-based rings or ceramic plates which serves the same purpose as a rubber ring. However, replacing ceramic plates can be tough, and you can only fix it if you have tools or if you hire a professional plumber to fix the taps.

How Do I Unclog My Drain?

Unclogging a drain is not a difficult task as many tend to believe. What most people don’t know is that there are many home-made solutions to clogging the drain. Armed with just a few tools, you can unclog even the most stubborn clogs in your drain system. Toilets, sinks, and bathtubs are the most common areas that experience clogs in most homes in Brisbane. When clogging happens, the surest thing to do is to remove the object that has clumped in the drains. Here are seven ways you can unclog your drain.

• Pour boiling water down the drain.
• Use a hook to remove the clog.
• Use chemicals to remove the clog materials
• Plumber’s snake.
• Use baking soda and vinegar.
• Uncover the drain and pull out the clog by hand.
• If all else fails, a licensed plumber will unclog your drain with professional plumbing tools.

My Pipe Is Leaking, Can I Fix It?

Leaking pipe is another common plumbing problem to most homes- both new and old. If water leaks are coming from a pipe, the problem is usually the joint. There are many reasons why the joint could be letting water out, but the most common is the loosening of the joints and worn out wrap threads. That’s another problem that you can fix without difficulties. You just need to follow three simple steps to rectify the problem.

1. Wrap threads. While placing the threads, always wrap them in a clockwise direction.
2. Add pipe joints compound.
3. Tighten the connection.

Holes could also be the reason for leaking pipes. They could be a result of direct impact or an old pipe tearing off. If holes are the reason why the pipe is leaking, then it is wise to call a professional plumbing service provider to fix it.

My Toilet Won’t Stop Running

Leaking toilet is one of the leading factors to increased water bills in households. In most cases, the problem is worn gaskets and flapper valves. To get the problem fixed, all you need is to get the exact area that is leaking. If the toilet won’t stop running, the primary step should be draining out all the water from the tank. Once the water is out, the flapper will drop back down resealing the tank tightly to fix the leak. The only problem will be if the leakage is out of cracks on the flapper. In such cases, you need the help of a plumber to fix the problem.

Water Heater Making a Popping Sound

Popping sound in water heaters is a result of sediment accumulation at the bottom of the heater. The sediment is mostly a collection of debris including soil, sand and other materials in the water. The problem may appear to be a serious one, but you don’t need a plumber to fix it. What you need is to remove the sediment at the bottom of the water heater. Flushing a water heater is the most recommended way of dealing with sediment build-up. Then remove the scales from the water heater’s element and tank, and you are good to go. The process is quite simple and all you need to follow just a few steps to fix the problems. If sediment is not too much, flush with water.

Water Heater Not Working

What do you do when your water heaters stop working? Well, some people panic and the next thing they do is call a plumber. But you will be surprised to learn that you can handle most of these water heater problems. If you are using an electric water heater, you need to check the power connection. Check the circuit breaker to see if the heater is powered. If the power connection and supply is ok, then the problem could be elsewhere, maybe the heating element.

If you are using a gas water heater, check if the pilot is off and turn it on. But if it is already switched on, then the problem lies elsewhere.

These are some of the commonly-asked questions by homeowners. These are plumbing problems that you can easily fix on your own. However, if the problem turns out to be complex, call Drain Cleaning Brisbane for professional help. The plumbing company has built an impeccable reputation for fixing clogged drains and other plumbing services. With these Brisbane plumbers, value for money is a guarantee.