Scarborough Home Repairs: Common Residential Plumbing Problems

Plumbing is an essential part of your home’s systems, and one issue can leave you with high utility bills, water damage or flooding. Fortunately, the most common problems are relatively easy to solve with professional help. If you notice any of the following, you should hire plumbing services in Scarborough immediately.

Trouble With the Toilet

Toilet troubles can spell disaster since they’re connected to the sewer system. For example, a clogged toilet can flood your bathroom with unsanitary water. Plumbing blockages are a major cause and typically require professional assistance, such as running a snake through the pipes. To avoid this issue, don’t flush items that don’t dissolve in water:

• Damp wipes

• Tampons

• Paper towels

On the opposite end of the spectrum, you may have a toilet that won’t stop running. There are a few potential causes:

• The refill tube is the wrong size.

• You have a leaky flapper.

• The float is too high.

Since there are multiple possibilities, it’s best to have a plumber take a look.

Finally, some toilets develop a weak flush. Clogged rim jets, faulty flappers, loose handles and damaged floats can all play a role.

Problems With the Pipes and Drains

Dripping faucets may not seem like a huge issue, but that wasted water adds up over time, unnecessarily inflating your utility bill. In many cases, you can’t pinpoint why a faucet is leaking unless you dismantle it, a task for a professional plumber. Usually, something needs replacing or tightening:

• Packing nuts

• Outlet and inlet seals

• Valve seat

• O-ring

• Washers

• Cartridge

Leaking pipes are another common problem, though you may not notice them immediately. Since most plumbing is hidden inside walls, you should be on the alert for warning signs:

• Widening drywall cracks

• High water bills for no discernable reason

• Mysterious puddles

• Growing mildew and mould

• Water stains

Finding the source of a leak usually involves cutting into drywall. You may need to hire a plumber to fix the issue, then a contractor to patch the wall. Fortunately, many handyperson companies offer both services.

Last but not least, slow sink and shower drainage can disrupt your routine and signal bigger trouble. Sometimes, the problem is as simple as a blocked drain — grease is a common culprit for kitchen sinks, and hair is a prolific shower drain clogger. However, sometimes the issue is deep below the surface:

• Tree roots growing into the pipes

• Broken sewer lines

• Corroded pipes

All of the above require major repairs and should only be handled by professionals.

Worries About the Water Pressure

Low water pressure can be a headache, especially when it happens unexpectedly. Unfortunately, some causes don’t have immediate solutions — if the water supplier is limiting flow, you’ll have to find a workaround. However, if the supply isn’t the issue, something is off in your residence.

For example, if only one fixture experiences low water pressure, there’s probably something wrong with the hardware. A part may be broken, or the faucet itself may be obstructed.

If your entire house is experiencing low water pressure, one or even both of the main valves may be to blame. For instance, the water valve connecting your plumbing to the city system may be partially closed. The main house shutoff valve is another possibility. The latter can be dealt with on your property, but the former may require a call to your water supplier.

When you need home repair services, you can trust the Handyman Connection team to do the job right. We can handle plumbing problems as well as carpentry projects, electrical questions and more. To schedule an appointment, contact us online or give us a call.