Plumbers in Auckland are rarely called out to handle something they’ve never seen before. Most of the time, plumbers need to perform similar repairs and services for their clients. So while plumbing issues are a surprise to us, they can be very predictable for the plumbers you hire to fix them! Plumbers in Auckland share four of the most common problems you could experience and how to avoid them.
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Leaking Toilets
Over time, the flush valve or flapper in the toilet tank wears out, causing a leak. In this instance, they need to be replaced, and it should be by a professional plumber. The flush valve moves water from the tank into the bowl when you flush, which means that if it’s worn out, water will leak every time you flush. Another cause of a leaking toilet is when the chain or lever connected to the flush valve gets caught, keeping the flapper open. While this isn’t necessarily a leak, it does mean that water will continue to flush, without stopping. The tank won’t refill; the water will flow from the tank into the toilet bowl continually, wasting water by the litre. However, by simply checking the flapper and flusher valve regularly, you could spot a problem long before it presents itself. And luckily, a new flush valve is inexpensive and simple to replace if you follow the instructions provided.
Clogged Bathroom Drains
Bathroom drains include the sink, shower and bathtub drain, where things can drain away and block pipes. Unfortunately, many things can block a bathroom drain, like hair, beard trimmings, makeup and grime. It can be easy to forget that most drains can’t handle debris like this, which is why bathroom drains become blogged so frequently. The best way to avoid getting clogged bathroom drains is to be mindful of what goes down them. You can install stoppers and grates in your bath and shower drains to catch whatever could go down, like hair. And although chemical drain cleaners are widely available in hardware stores and supermarkets, they are not recommended. They’re harmful to your health and the environment and can cause corrosion in the pipes. If you’ve done what you can to remove a blocked drain – like using plungers to dislodge a clog, and plastic snakes to pull them out, call a plumber in Auckland. They have the necessary knowledge and experience required to fix this problem because it’s so common.
Blocked Kitchen Sinks
Like bathroom sinks, the sink in your kitchen is not meant to handle much more draining away other than water and dish soap. However, it’s common for food bits and other debris to drain away while you’re cooking or washing the dishes. Unfortunately, people treat kitchen sinks like a secondary dustbin – flushing food bits and oil away, not thinking that this can cause a severe blockage over time. Even things that you think won’t cause a problem like flour, grease and coffee grounds can back up the system. While a plumber in Auckland can sort out the problem for you, it’s relatively easy to avoid it if you remember not to flush more than water or soap down the sink. The kitchen sink is an essential part of the plumbing system, which is used multiple times every day. You don’t want to not be able to use it at all because of your own negligence.
Water Heater Problems
While issues with water heaters aren’t the most common thing that plumbers are called out for, they can get very expensive. So if you can avoid paying for water heater repairs that could have been prevented, you should. Although water heaters are designed to last up to 20 years, they do still break down. After that long, typical wear and tear can lead to leaks and ruptures, which can cause severe damage to your plumbing system. You might even have to replace the entire water heater. If you have a water heater that’s getting on in years, you’ll have to get it maintained more frequently to catch any impending problems. Look out for rust spots and leaks, and get your water heater replaced if it’s old.
While some plumbing problems can’t be avoided no matter what you do, you can do your part to prevent some issues that could give you grey hairs. By being aware of what you flush down the toilet, sinks and drains, you can prevent blockages from forming. And by keeping your toilets and water heaters maintained, you can also avoid costly water wastage and repairs. Fortunately, when you need plumbers in Auckland, you can rely on PG Plumbing & Gasfitting.