Backed-up sinks. Discolored water. Leaks. These problems may sound frightening, but the truth is they’re common problems in many homes. In fact, many of them can be solved with just a few painless steps.
With the correct tools and knowledge, you can save yourself time—and money—by tackling these issues yourself. Plus, knowing how to take care of common problems will help you know when the issue is more complicated and best solved by a professional.
So, don't let a clogged drain or a leaky faucet get you down—with the right know-how, it's easy to successfully repair ordinary plumbing problems all by yourself. We’ll take a look at a couple of frequent plumbing dilemmas and how you can resolve them.
1. Why Is My Sink Gurgling?
If you’re noticing a gurgling sound coming out of your sink, it may be a sign of air or water trapped in the pipes. This can happen if there is a blockage in the pipes, or if a plumbing vent has become blocked or disconnected.
Fortunately, this situation is not too difficult to correct:
- First, try using a plunger to clear any blockages that may be creating the gurgling sounds.
- If a plunger doesn’t work, you can try using a drain snake to clean out particles from the pipe. Finally, if your plumbing vent is blocked or disconnected, make sure to reconnect it and search for any other objects in the way.
If you’re still having problems, it may be best to phone a seasoned plumber in Beckley and Mount Hope. They can help determine the reason you are having the issue and provide you with answers.
2. Why Is My Sink Not Draining?
If a sink isn't draining, usually that’s because of something obstructing the drainpipe. However, it may also be a result of a much larger concern with your plumbing system.
Common reasons why the water in your sink won’t drain:
- Blocked or clogged pipes: Over time, hair, food scraps, grease, animal fats and other items can build up in the pipes, causing a blockage that prevents the water from draining.
- Broken seals: If the sink’s rubber seals are cracked or busted, they may not be creating an effective seal around the drain to keep out air and allow the water to drain.
- Crud in the trap: The curved pipe under the sink, called a P-trap, can become blocked with debris or get leaks, which prevent it from draining properly.
- Blocked vent pipe: A blockage in a vent pipe, which allows gas to leave your plumbing system, might stop your sink from draining. Vents can be blocked by debris where they leave your house.
To clear a pipe, try using a plunger to move the obstruction through the line. If that doesn’t work, give some thought to using a plumbing snake to retrieve and pull out hair or other debris and allow the water to flow through. Other techniques are to try baking soda and vinegar or a drain-cleaning product to disintegrate the clog.
Depending on your plumbing setup, you may be able to search for a blockage in the P-trap, which is a bend in the pipe below your sink. This is done by taking apart the pipe and clearing the line. To do this, first shut the faucet off and set a bucket below the bend. Then, take the pipe apart and pull out any debris. Once it’s emptied of debris, put the pipe back together and rinse with hot water.
If trying to clear the line and P-trap isn't effective, inspect where your drain vent exits your house to make sure it isn’t blocked by debris such as leaves, dirt or even a nest by an misguided bird or other animal. If this also doesn’t work, you may need to get a hold of a knowledgeable professional for plumbing repair in Beckley and Mount Hope to make sure there isn’t a more substantial problem with your plumbing.
3. Why Is My Sink Water Cloudy/White?
Most of the time, cloudy or white-looking water is caused by air bubbles in the water. Normally, this is benign and can often disappear on its own. It may be the result of a water company doing work on the lines, or a close-by construction project.
One way to determine if cloudy water was made by air bubbles is to fill a glass of water and then leave it on the counter. It’s likely that the air bubbles will go away and the water will eventually clear. If the water is still cloudy after 24 hours, you may have another problem and will want to talk to a professional for assistance.
The cloudy water also could be the result of high levels of minerals in the water in the plumbing system. Excessive minerals collect until they impact the water’s appearance and taste, in which case a water softener may help resolve the issue. It can stop hard-water buildup from harming your pipes and producing the distasteful cloudy water.
If cloudy water is a reoccuring problem, consider washing out the aerator, which is a screen at the end of your faucet. Use a water and vinegar solution to remove any debris or buildup. If that doesn’t work either, you might want to contact a certified plumber and let them work toward a solution.
4. Why Is My Sink Leaking/Dripping?
The reason for a leak or water drip underneath a sink is usually because a plumbing fixture has worn out or malfunctioned. Occasionally, it’s caused by a clog blocking the line.
Here are several of the more common causes of sink leaks and how you can repair them:
- Loose Connections: One of the most common causes of a drip underneath the sink is because of loose connections between pipes, fixtures and hoses. If any fixture has not been correctly tightened, or if it was not sealed all the way in its fitting, water can simply escape from these weak spots.
- Worn-Out Washers: Over time, the washer in a sink fixture can become worn out and fail to create an adequate seal. If you notice water seeping from the sides of the handle or base of the faucet, there's a good chance that a new washer is necessary.
- Corroded Pipes: The pipes underneath a sink can wear out over time, leading to damage and cracks. Corrosion is especially common when working with older or inexpensive materials, so it's important to look for any signs of degradation in order to avoid a major leak.
- Clogged Drains: A clogged drain can make water back up and start leaking from the seal. It's essential to examine the drain for any evidence of blockage and to clear away any debris that may be inhibiting water flow.
5. Why Is My Sink Water Brown?
The most commonly encountered cause of brown tap water is rust. Rust normally comes from elevated levels of iron in the water, which may be the result of corroded pipes or worn-out fixtures. Rust may also appear when sediment gathers. Buildup may collect if the filtration system is failing or there are significant levels of minerals like manganese.
Sometimes, the water can be discolored from silt or clay particles that have been stirred up from work on the water line or your plumbing. If you purchase your water from a municipal utility company, reach out to them to inform them of the discoloration. They should be able to inform you if there has been any recent construction on the water lines.
A knowledgeable plumber in Beckley and Mount Hope can help you figure out if the discoloration is from a rusting pipe that needs to be replaced, or if a filtration system may improve the unsightly problem.
6. Why Is My Sink Draining Slow?
The most widespread reason for a sink to drain slow is a partial obstruction in the pipes. Hair and soap residue are likely suspects for a clogged bathroom sink, while food scraps and grease—along with soap scum—often are responsible for kitchen sink clogs.
Three ways you can fix a clogged sink include:
- Plunger: One method to eliminate a partial clog is with a plunger. If there’s no standing water in the sink, allow it to fill with enough water to cover the drain. Then, use the plunger to try to dislodge the clog.
- Plumbing snake/weasel: If a plunger doesn’t fix the problem, you may try using a plumbing snake—a long, thin chunk of plastic—to put down your pipe to attach to the clog so you can extract it manually. Sometimes, these are known as plumbing weasels.
- Chemical Clog Remover: Multiple chemical clog removers on the market dissolve blockages in sink pipes. Make sure to follow all directions, and that the product won’t damage your home’s pipes or the basin in your sink.