All of us have encountered some or the other distressing plumbing problem in our lives. Blessed are ...

1. Plumbing Problems
All of us have encountered some or the other distressing plumbing problem in our lives. Blessed are
the people who never had to watch the sight of clogged drains, dripping faucets, flooded toilets, or
broken pipes spraying water in all possible directions. Worst is the situation, when you have to call a
plumber and he charges you a hefty amount for a few minutes work. However, you can easily save
these charges by fixing the minor problems on your own at home and that too in very less time. For
this, you first need to understand the working of this system and the common issues may that arise.
Working of a Plumbing System
It is the system that brings in freshwater and takes the waste water out of your home. It is not a
single system but a collection of systems that work independently or collectively in some cases.
Water is supplied to your home under pressure through the water supply system. It comprises
galvanized steel or copper pipes that carry water to faucets, plumbing fixtures, outdoor hose bibs,
sprinklers, etc. Drainage or waste plumbing system does not work under pressure like the supply
system. Gravity is the only force that moves the waste to the sewage or septic system.
Common Problems and the Solutions
Issues with this system arise as the excessive usage tends to worn out the parts in the faucets and
fixtures. Blockages, in the path of sewage water is one reason of drainage clogging.
Blockages in the trap or pipe also cause flooding of toilets. Though, a plunger or a pump can come in
handy to get rid of most of the blockages, a bit of knowledge is needed for some advanced ones.
Dripping Faucet
A leaking or dripping faucet is an indication that a washer has worn out and needs replacement. The
washers or seals of compression faucets are constantly under pressure so they wear out pretty
frequently. If they are not fixed on time, they may lead to corrosion of fixtures, staining of sink
bowls, and wastage of water. Since, the disc, cartridge, and ball faucets are washerless they are less
prone to dripping as compared to compression faucets. However, they do have moving parts which
are sealed by O-rings which need replacement occasionally. Thus, most of these are associated with

2. the wearing out of the part, depending upon the type of faucet.
Scaled up Shower Head
Hard water is often responsible for the scaling of showers. The salts in hard water accumulate and
form a layer on the shower head, making it impossible for the water to come out. So, if you have to
use hard water, make sure you choose a shower head with a rubber faceplate. This helps to rub and
scale away particles regularly. A quick fix for a badly clogged shower head is to detach the faceplate
and soak it in white vinegar overnight. A toothpick or a stiff nailbrush can be used to clear the loose
scales.
Bathtub Spa Jets Don't Work
If your bathtub spa jets suddenly stop working, check the electrical panel's circuit breaker to see if it
has tripped. If it has tripped, it will require manual resetting. If that does not help, check your
manual to see if the pump has a 'high limit manual reset' or a separate circuit breaker on the
equipment. If it has either of these, see if resetting helps. If this persists, switch off the spa's
electrical circuit and call a repair person.
Toilet Plumbing Problems
If the water doesn't drain out of the WC fast enough when you flush, it means there is some blockage
in the trap or in the pipe from the toilet to the soil stack. A toilet plunger is all you need to fix it. You
can also get wire snakes or augers to dislodge blockages. They are easily available at the hire shops.
Clearing a Clogged Drain
If your drain is moving slowly, it could be an onset of a clog or the vent system has a blockage. You
can always opt for a chemical drain cleaner to open a slow-moving drain, but the caustic nature of
the chemicals can damage certain kind of pipes. It may also interfere with the chemical balance of
the septic system. In cases of fully clogged drains, the caustic solution that regurgitates into the
bathtub or sink can burn your skin and make it dangerous to plunge or use a snake to clear the
drain. Hence, you should be careful about the method you use to clear the clog. You can plunge the
drain or use a snake at the fixture to clear it. If this doesn't solve it, you can connect a hydraulic
bladder to a garden hose, and then try to explode the clog.

3. These were just some DIY tips and quick fixes you can try at home for the minor problems related to
the same. However, in case of a major one you should always rely on professional help. Tampering
with boilers or radiators without adequate knowledge is not a good idea.
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