Plumbing at home questions are answered in this post.

Top Questions about Plumbing at Home Answered

If you are a property owner, one of the things you must have a handle on is your plumbing at home. If these plumbing issues at home are not addressed, they can give you plenty of headaches.

Aside from the frustrations, these issues bring, plumbing problems at home can also lead to costly repairs and services – if ignored and not fixed properly.

We’ll talk about some of the most common plumbing issues at home that homeowners tend to encounter in today’s post.

Plumbing at Home: How Does it Work?

Understanding your house’s plumbing system may seem complicated at first. However, once you know the basics, it should be easier to familiarize yourself with how it works.

Don’t let the intertwining valves and pipes overwhelm you. In actuality, the way plumbing at home operates is relatively straightforward.

When you have a good familiarity with the way plumbing at home works, you’ll know what questions to ask your plumber. You’ll also have more confidence in figuring out some common issues and determining if you need professional help or not.

Components of Plumbing at Home

Water Supply System

As the name suggests, this system is the plumbing system that supplies freshwater into the property. This system is highly dependent on water pressure. The water will typically come either from wells or the city water.

Plumbing at home should be looked at by professionals.

Water from wells will need to be pumped robustly for it to reach residential properties.

If the pressure is reduced, you usually can’t have a water supply upper levels or the farthest areas of your house. Those who rely on water from wells can’t access water from the city – this is why they are getting their supply from wells.

On the other hand, city water will come from the main water pipe from the county, city, or whatever jurisdiction your property is located in.

The main water pipe that will supply the water to your house is typically parallel to the street you reside in. If you have water supply problems or a compromised connection to the main pipe, it would be best to call a professional plumber to determine the real issue.

If you experience a low water supply from your faucet or shower, that’s usually the first sign of low water pressure. Whether it’s because of a blockage or a leak, there could be a number of issues. If there’s a loose connection, you can typically handle this independently if you know the basics of plumbing at home.

If you know where your water meter is, that’s a good start. Make sure to turn off the shutoff water valve located by your water meter before you try to do any troubleshooting yourself. That’s the number one thing to remember when trying to do DIY plumbing at home.

On the other hand, if it’s a more serious issue, such as re-piping, you need to call a professional plumber.

DWV (Drain-Waste-Vent) System

This type of plumbing system has three primary components:

  • Drain vents – these vents run from the roof down into the pipes. They are responsible for releasing air through the plumbing system to make way for smooth drainage.
  • Drain traps – also referred to as P traps, ensure that backflow is prevented in your residential plumbing system. Their U shape holds water consistently.
  • Drainpipes – these pipes are angled downwards to allow for gravity to move the water down freely.

Common Plumbing at Home Issues

Why is there never enough hot water coming out of the heater?

No one would want to be caught without hot water in the middle of a shower. Running out of hot water is one of the major inconveniences in modern living. Because of your water heater’s condition, age, and type, running out of hot water may have several reasons.

One common reason is the size of the hot water heater. The device may not just be big enough to fulfill the needs of your household. If this is the case, try to avoid using other water appliances and the water heater at the same time.

Water heaters are important plumbing at home devices.

For example, don’t turn on the dishwasher or use the washing machine at the same time you or someone at home is also showering. This helps avoid running out of hot water when you need it in the shower.

Another common reason why there’s no hot water is a problem with the gas burner.

The device may be getting too much gas – or too little. This scenario could lead to a limited hot water supply for the heater.

If you have an electric water heater, check the heating elements. If there are signs of rust or if they are not in good condition anymore, make sure to replace them. A professional plumber can inspect your hot water heater as they have the knowledge and tools necessary.

Why is there an unpleasant sewer smell in my house?

If a constant sewer smell permeates your entire home, it may be because of a broken or damaged sewer line. Sewer odors are usually the most apparent signs and primary indicators that you could have a damaged drainpipe.

There should never be any odor coming out of the drains if your plumbing at home is in good working order. If there is a persistent smell, make sure to contact a professional plumber right away.

Low supply from the faucet can be caused by a number of issues.

You want to make sure to find out the cause of the sewer gas smell to make sure you can address it right away. No one wants a smelly house.

On the other hand, if the water coming out of your faucets smells like mold, raw sewage, or has an unpleasant fishy smell, you may have a buildup of bacteria in the pipes.

The ugly truth is there’s a variety of awful things growing in the dark nooks and crannies of dirty plumbing pipes. These things include fungi, algae, and different kinds of bacteria that may lead to musty water.

When your water at home smells bad, you must address it right away. Dirty plumbing systems can lead to significant health problems for you and your family.

One way to remedy this problem is proper disinfection. Ask your local plumber about shock chlorination treatment or other ways to kill off the pipes’ bacteria.

Should I turn off my water heater when I go out of town?

The short answer is yes. This is to give you the peace of mind knowing that any possible leaks or bursts are prevented.

Keeping the water turned on means that the pipes are open to bursting or leaking.

While it’s quite rare for a sudden significant pipe leaking or bursting, a small leak can be disastrous – especially if you won’t be home for days or weeks.