Few things can ruin a Texas homeowner’s day more quickly than plumbing problems. Plumbing issues can turn taking a shower or washing dishes into an ordeal, and they can also lead to much higher water bills. A dripping faucet may be an annoying plumbing problem, but it will only waste about a gallon of water each day. A running toilet can waste up to 100 gallons of water every single hour. Depending on where in Texas you live, that could add as much as $450 to your monthly water bill. Here are some of the most common plumbing problems that Texas homeowners have to deal with.
Problem 1. A Running Toilet
Running toilets can lead to eyewatering water bills, but they are easy to diagnose and easy to fix. You will know that you have a running toilet when the sound of water flowing into the tank after a flush does not stop. This means that a rubber part called a flapper is not forming a seal between the toilet tank and bowl, which prevents the float inside the tank from reaching a position high enough to cut off the flow of water. To fix this problem, you will have to empty the toilet tank. Just make sure that you shut off the water supply before you flush. Once the tank is empty, you will be able to inspect the flapper for signs of damage or wear. Replacing a flapper is something that just about any homeowner can do, and the parts needed to complete the job are inexpensive and easy to find.
Problem 2. A Clogged Drain
You will know that you have a clogged drain when a tub or kitchen or bathroom sink doesn’t empty or empties very slowly when you remove the plug. Clogged bathroom drains are usually caused by buildups of soap or hair, and kitchen clogs are usually caused by food waste or grease. You may be tempted to use a plunger to clear a clogged drain, but this can damage plumbing pipes and make the problem worse. Chemical drain cleaners can also damage plastic pipes, and they contain toxic substances that can cause horrific injuries if they come into contact with the skin or eyes. Even breathing the fumes these products emit can be dangerous. Using a pipe snake is the best and safest way to clear a clogged drain, so you should call an experienced and reliable plumber if you have this problem.
Problem 3. A Leaking Faucet
The constant drip, drip sound from a leaky faucet can be maddening. Faucets have small rubber O-rings inside them that create a seal and help to hold the handle in place, and they start to drip when these O-rings wear out. This problem develops more quickly when a home’s water supply contains a lot of dissolved magnesium and calcium. Texas has some of the hardest water in the United States, so dripping faucets are a very common problem in the Lone Star State. It may be possible to replace a worn O-ring, or you might have to install a new faucet.
