A dripping faucet here, a clogged drain there – plumbing issues are bound to happen from time to time. Fortunately, most can be easily fixed with the right knowledge and tools.

Understanding what causes these problems and how to fix them can save you money and stress. Familiarize yourself with these common household plumbing troubles so you know when to grab the plunger and when to call in a pro.

Dripping Faucets

There are few things more annoying than a drip-drip-drip from a leaky faucet. The constant dripping can drive you crazy, not to mention that it wastes water and money. It can also lead to hard water stains on the faucet base and countertop. Fortunately, a few simple steps can fix most dripping faucets.

The most common cause of a dripping faucet is worn out inlet and outlet seals. These can be replaced with inexpensive parts from your local hardware store or plumbing supply specialist. The process is fairly easy, and it can be done by most homeowners.

Inlet and outlet seals become worn out over time due to water sediments that corrode the metal. The best way to prevent this is by cleaning your faucet regularly with distilled vinegar. This will keep the metal clean and help prevent new leaks.

Another common cause of a drip is a loose packing nut. This nut is located underneath the faucet handle and tightens and loosens as you turn the sink handle. If it becomes loose, water will leak from around the stem and can even flood the counter. The solution is to remove the handle and unscrew the nut under it. Then, use a spanner tool from a repair kit to tighten the nut and reassemble the faucet.

If the leaking is coming from the spout, the problem may be the spout O-rings. These can be easily replaced by removing the handle and prying off the decorative cover to expose an Allen screw. Use an Allen wrench to loosen the screw, and then lift the handle off the stem. Remove the spout and replace the O-rings, being sure to use plumber’s grease on the new ones.

Clogged Drains

Drain clogs are a household nightmare and can lead to water or even sewage backups, not to mention serious damage to plumbing pipes. Thankfully, most clogs are easy to spot and can be addressed with a plunger or even better, a drain snake. Preventing clogs is all about being proactive and taking care of the little things, such as never putting anything down a drain that doesn’t belong there.

While most clogs can be tackled with simple at-home solutions, some will need professional help to be resolved. If a clog seems to be getting worse over time, you should call in a plumber or drain cleaning specialist who can use more advanced tools to get it all cleared out, especially ones who know what they’re doing – like the Jersey City plumbers.

The best clue to a clog is when water from a sink, tub or toilet is slow to drain. It may gurgle, back up or overflow, making it nearly impossible to do the dishes, take a shower or flush the toilet. The toilet is usually the first fixture to experience a problem since it has the largest drain pipe in the house and is closest to the main sewer line.

If a clog is in the toilet, you can try to loosen it by covering the drain opening and then running hot water down the drain for two to three minutes. You can also pour boiling water down the drain (if your pipes are made of metal, not plastic PVC) to melt and dissolve a clog. If a drain is still clogged, you can try using a store-bought drain cleaner, such as liquid plumber or draino. If these don’t work, it could be a more severe clog that needs to be removed with a snake or mechanically opened and cleaned out.

Leaky Pipes

Leaky pipes can lead to water damage, high water bills and mold growth. Depending on the severity of the leak, it may require immediate professional attention to prevent further damage.

Pipes can leak for a variety of reasons, including old age and careless joint installations. Industrial rubber seals used in joints can degrade over time, leading to cracking and leaking. Also, extreme temperature changes can cause pipes to expand and contract, creating stress on the seals and causing them to loosen. Pipes can also corrode, especially if the water is hard and contains a high amount of minerals and acidity.

A quick, temporary fix for a leaky pipe is to use plumber’s tape to create an impermeable seal. However, this should only be done if the leak isn’t too bad and you have the tools necessary to make the repair.

For a more permanent solution, try using a pipe repair clamp. Choose a clamp that’s the right size for the pipe, and place it over the trouble spot. Then, tighten it evenly to secure the leak and prevent further damage.

If you can’t get to the source of the leak quickly, it is important to turn off the water supply. This can be done by turning off the water valve on the affected pipe, or at your home’s main water supply. Afterwards, use buckets or other containers to catch the leaking water and minimize the damage.

You can prevent leaky pipes from happening in the first place by keeping up with regular plumbing maintenance. This includes disposing of items properly (such as using drain traps for food waste) and having a licensed plumber inspect your system on a regular basis.

Low Water Pressure

When a home experiences low water pressure, it can impact everything from laundry and showering to kitchen faucets. The first step to troubleshooting is to find out how many fixtures are affected. This may help narrow down the cause of the problem and lead to a more efficient solution.

It is possible that the water main valve on your house or at the meter has been closed or partially closed. This could be because a repair crew shut off the water during a service call or it might have been accidentally turned off by you. Turn the water back on and make sure all valves are fully open.

Mineral deposits can build up in your supply pipes over time, which limits the flow of water. Corrosion is another common issue in older homes that can limit water flow. In these cases, a professional plumber should be called in to replace the pipes and ensure proper installation.

You can also test the flow of water through your pipes by using a water pressure gauge at the hose spigot on your house or in the basement where the main water line enters. Ideally, the pressure should be between 45 to 55 PSI. If it’s lower, a professional should be called in to check the water pressure on the house side of the water meter.

If the problem is localized to just one or two fixtures, a quick fix might be to clean your plumbing fixture’s aerators or showerhead. This can remove the sediment that’s causing the low water pressure and allow it to return to normal. If the problem persists, a professional should be consulted to install a new pressure regulator on your main water line or possibly a whole-home water pressure booster system.

Rattling Pipes

If you hear a rattling sound when water runs or a flush is made in your home, it may be caused by a loose pipe. Over time, pipes can loosen from the clip that attaches them to wood framing. This causes them to sway and hit against walls, causing banging noises. This can damage your pipes in the long run and lead to leaks, so it is important to fix this problem right away.

Loose pipes also cause gurgling sounds when they move water. This is because the force of the water rushing through them moves air in between the gaps. This can be a serious issue and you should call a plumber as soon as possible to check your plumbing system.

It can be hard to locate a loose pipe as they are often behind your walls. The first step is to try and determine when the rattling sound occurs, this can help you narrow down the source of the problem. If the noise is only heard when water flows or a flush is made, it could be an issue with your plumbing pressure. Too high of a water pressure can push water through your pipes quickly, which makes them shake and hit against walls and other pipes.

Fortunately, there are a few ways to solve this issue without having to cut through your walls and ceilings. One way is to have a water hammer arrestor installed in your home by a professional plumbing contractor. This will absorb the shockwaves from turning your faucets on and off, which can cause the rattling sound in your pipes. Another option is to crawl under your house with a flashlight or open the ceiling boards and have someone else turn on a tap or flush a toilet, this might help you identify the location of the loose pipe, after which it can be secured to minimize movement.