It’s safe to say that your bathroom is one of the most frequently visited rooms in your home. When you wake up in the morning, there’s a good chance you immediately step into your bathroom to brush your teeth, wash your face, and prepare for the day ahead. Once the sun sets, your bathroom is also one of the last places you spend time in before calling it a night.
You rely heavily on the plumbing system in your bathroom throughout the course of a day. However, your fixtures aren’t immune to occasional issues — like a running toilet. In fact, you may encounter a sudden complication when you least expect it, which can throw your entire routine off schedule.
It’s easy to imagine this annoying situation. You step out of the shower, look down, and notice that your tub is full of water. It’s not draining. What do you do? It’s hard to know which plumbing problems are common and which require professionals.
Slow-draining tub? Clogged sink? These are just a few common Fresno plumbing problems that a professional can help with.
Clogged Toilets, Sinks, and Bathtubs
Are you encountering a slow-draining sink, shower, or toilet in your bathroom? Is this frustrating issue accompanied by unpleasant sewer smells that make it difficult to get through your daily tasks? Although this particular problem could have to do with a damaged sewer line, there’s a good chance that you’re simply dealing with clogged drains.
Clogs are one of the most common bathroom plumbing problems homeowners have to deal with. For toilet clogs, a good plunger can do the trick and unclog your toilet. However, if you aren’t able to get the clog out yourself, a professional plumber will need to come in and snake the drain. Additionally, objects that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet, like small toys, feminine products, or wipes, usually require professional plumbing services. Even if you are not sure what is causing the clog, calling a professional will ensure that the clog is fixed correctly.
If it takes your tub or sink a long time to drain, that’s a big sign something is wrong. Hair is a common reason your drains clog. If that’s the issue, there are tools or products you can buy to unclog the hair. If your tub is still draining slowly after that, it’s time to call a plumber. The problem could be a lot bigger than you thought. Plumbers have all the necessary tools and knowledge to fix your problem.
Sewer Backups
Sewer backups are plumbing problems in the bathroom that can cause significant damage. When the sewer system backs up, it can result in water and waste coming back up through the drains. This could be due to tree roots infiltrating the sewer line, a buildup of waste, or even a collapsed pipe.
If you experience sewage backups, call a plumber immediately, as this issue often requires professional help. Regular maintenance, including periodic drain cleaning, can help prevent sewer backups by keeping the sewer lines clear of debris and buildup.
Running Toilets
Among all the bathroom plumbing problems a homeowner can encounter, running toilets are some of the most troublesome. That’s because it can be challenging to detect these plumbing issues. As a result, you can end up wasting a significant amount of water and experiencing unexpected spikes in your water bills.
There are various reasons why your toilet won’t stop running. For example, this problem can simply be caused by a stuck toilet handle, which is usually easy to fix. However, you could also be dealing with a faulty flapper or a poorly fitted refill tube — among other complications. Whatever the case may be, the best way to fix this issue is to call a plumber for help.
Do you think you could have a running toilet? Some common signs that you’re experiencing this plumbing inconvenience can include loud noises, high water bills, and low water pressure in other parts of your home. Don’t ignore any of these red flags!
Toilet Tank Not Filling
A toilet tank that isn’t filling properly is another common bathroom plumbing problem. It often occurs due to a malfunctioning fill valve, a leaky flapper, or a misadjusted float. This can result in the toilet not having enough water to flush properly or running constantly.
To diagnose the issue, see if the fill valve is working and check that the float is set at the right level. Replacing a faulty fill valve or toilet flapper is relatively simple and inexpensive. If you’re not comfortable handling it yourself, calling a plumber is the best bet for resolving the issue promptly.
Toilet Won’t Flush
A toilet that won’t flush is also one of many common bathroom plumbing issues that can disrupt your day. This problem can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as a clogged toilet, a faulty flush valve, or low water pressure.
If you suspect a clogged toilet, use a plunger to dislodge the obstruction. If this doesn’t work, you might have a more serious problem on your hands. Check the toilet’s tank to see if the flush valve is functioning correctly or if the water level is too low. In some cases, low water pressure in your plumbing system might be the culprit, and a licensed plumber should inspect your pipes and fixtures.
Leaky Faucets
We all know that annoying dripping sound of a leaky faucet. Even the smallest leaks can rack up hundreds of gallons (and dollars) in wasted water. A leaky faucet usually isn’t as simple of a fix as a clogged toilet. You will usually need to disassemble the faucet and replace certain parts. If you’re not comfortable with this, calling a plumber is going to be your best bet.
Do you have experience working on your plumbing system? If so, you might want to consider purchasing a faucet repair kit from your local home improvement store. These convenient kits usually contain all the necessary parts to fix your leaky faucet. However, you should avoid performing any repairs on your bathroom plumbing system if you don’t have any experience in this field of work. You’ll also want to steer away from repairing your faucet if doing so makes you feel uneasy.
Professional plumbers have the knowledge, experience, and skill to fix the problem. Plus, when you work with an expert, you can rest assured knowing that the issue will be thoroughly taken care of, which means you don’t have to worry about a leak reappearing in the near future. The sooner you address the situation, the more water you can save.
Pipe Leaks
When discussing the most common plumbing problems in bathrooms, it’s impossible not to mention leaking pipes. Your bathroom is chock-full of pipes; just look around, and you’ll probably see one. Unfortunately, these durable components of your plumbing system can experience wear and tear with time or sustain damage due to high water pressure, leaving you to clean up the mess.
Leaky pipes are a serious problem that requires immediate attention, as your home can potentially sustain significant water damage. Not to mention, your water bills can also increase. It’s a good idea to call a professional plumber as soon as possible to repair or replace the damaged pipe.
When a plumber arrives at your home, they’ll perform a thorough inspection to pinpoint the root cause of the issue. It’s important to work with a trained and experienced technician, as they understand that leaking pipes require urgent attention and need to be handled immediately. Although leaks are a common plumbing problem, they shouldn’t be overlooked, as ignoring them can result in the problem worsening over time.
Low Water Pressure
There’s nothing like coming home after a long day of work to a hot shower, but if your water pressure isn’t high, it can make the shower a lot less comfortable. The most common cause is a build-up of minerals in your shower head’s aerator. This can generally be fixed by disassembling the showerhead and scrubbing the aerator clean. If you frequently deal with hard water problems, you should consider getting a water softener installed.
Believe it or not, low water pressure can also be caused by a mishap. For example, if you recently had a plumber come to your home to perform a service, they may have closed the water shut-off valve and forgotten to reopen it. In the same vein, they may have reopened the water shut-off valve but not all the way, which could be contributing to your water pressure issue. Low water pressure is one of the most common plumbing problems in bathrooms, so it’s important to consider all the possibilities to fix it. At the first sign of a leaking faucet, don’t hesitate to call a plumber for assistance.
No Hot Water
There are many bathroom plumbing problems you can encounter, but having no hot water is probably one of the most inconvenient. Hot water is a crucial part of our daily lives; without it, you won’t be able to take a comfortable shower in your bathroom at the end of a long day.
When homeowners are met with no hot water in their bathroom sinks or showers, they’ll usually blame their water heaters for the problem. In most cases, they’ll be correct in their assumptions. If your water heater is damaged or has excessive sediment build-up in the tank, this can make it difficult for the appliance to produce hot water. However, it’s also worth noting that a problem with the faucet can also result in a lack of hot water.
You’ll want to call a plumber to get to the bottom of this complication — and make sure it’s one who has experience working with plumbing problems in bathrooms. The professional may provide you with a faucet or water heater repair in Fresno, CA, depending on the situation.
What to Do When Facing Bathroom Plumbing Issues
When faced with bathroom plumbing issues, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate these challenges:
- Identify the Problem: The first step is to identify the exact nature of the problem. Whether it’s a clogged toilet, sewer smells, or a slow-draining sink, recognizing the issue will help you decide the best course of action.
- DIY or Call a Plumber: Some bathroom problems, like a clogged drain or a dripping faucet, can often be resolved with basic tools and a little patience. However, more complex issues, like sewer backups or major leaks, require the expertise of a professional plumber.
- Shut Off the Water: If you’re dealing with a serious problem like a burst pipe or a running toilet, locate the shut-off valve to stop the water supply before further damage occurs.
- Preventive Measures: Once the issue is resolved, consider taking preventive measures to avoid future plumbing problems. This could include contacting our Sacramrento drain cleaning specialists for routine drain maintenance and routinely checking for leaks.
Tips for Avoiding Plumbing Issues
- Regular Maintenance: Regularly inspect fixtures, faucets, and pipes for signs of wear and leaks. Early detection can prevent small issues from turning into significant problems. If you need help, Lee’s offers leak detection in Fresno, CA, and the surrounding areas.
- Proper Disposal: Avoid flushing anything down the toilet besides human waste and toilet paper. For drains, be cautious about pouring grease, oil, or other substances that can solidify and cause blockages.
- Install Water Softeners: Hard water can cause mineral buildup in pipes, reducing flow and causing blockages. Installing a water softener can help reduce this buildup.
- Professional Inspections: Periodic inspections by a licensed plumber can help identify potential issues before they become major plumbing problems in the bathroom.
Address Bathroom Plumbing Woes With the Pros!
As you can see, there are many bathroom plumbing problems that can put your daily routine in jeopardy. You count on your plumbing system to work without fail, so when an issue appears out of the blue, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed.
Fortunately, you can rest easy knowing that the experts at Lee’s Air, Plumbing & Heating are here to help. Our professional plumbers are highly familiar with plumbing problems in bathrooms. That’s why we offer comprehensive plumbing repairs, installations, and maintenance services to keep everything running smoothly.
If you’re suffering from a slow-moving sink or shower drain, we can provide you with a top-tier drain cleaning in Fresno, CA, or the surrounding area. You can count on us to perform a thorough inspection and walk you through potential options for addressing the issue. We also specialize in solutions for dripping faucets, running toilets, and leaking pipes.
Save yourself from stress! Contact Lee’s Air, Plumbing & Heating for any plumbing problem and receive award-winning service.
