It’s easy to take your plumbing for granted – until a problem develops. Fortunately, the most common plumbing problems are usually easy to fix without professional assistance. And for more complicated jobs, you can always call a reliable plumber in San Jose, CA for help.
Clogged Drains
Plumbing is designed to handle water flow, but foreign objects – such as hair, soap residue, toothpaste and body oils – also find their way down the drain. You can prevent clogged drains in bathroom sinks and showers by installing a mesh strainer to catch debris. Then, never pour cooking grease down the kitchen sink.
As for unclogging blocked drains, we recommend steering clear of chemical drain cleaners. Instead, try these tactics:
- Pour boiling water down the drain.
- Remove and empty the trap under the sink.
- Use a plunger.
- Use a plumbing snake.
Not Enough Hot Water
The water heater is one of the more costly appliances to operate. If you regularly run out of hot water, you might turn up the temperature dial, but this will increase your water heating bills.
A better option is to keep up with water heater maintenance. Flushing the tank annually is a proven way to remove sediment buildup from the bottom of the tank that reduces heat transfer efficiency and makes water heating more expensive. Other maintenance tasks that prolong the life of your water heater include inspecting the anode rod and testing the temperature and pressure relief valve.
Leaky Toilets
Does your toilet ever seem to flush itself? This “phantom flush” is caused by a slow leak between the tank and the bowl. The most likely reason for this type of toilet leak is a malfunctioning rubber flapper.
Remove the lid from the toilet tank. Watch the flapper while you flush the toilet. If it catches on the chain, lands sideways or otherwise fails to close completely, you’ve found the problem. You may simply need to adjust the chain, or it might be necessary to replace the flapper.
Dripping Faucets
That slow drip, drip, drip isn’t just annoying – it’s also a waste of money. Fortunately, you can usually fix a leaky faucet by taking the handle apart and replacing the washer inside. This is something you can do yourself, or you can call a plumber for assistance.
Low Water Pressure
The potential causes of low water pressure are wide-ranging. If only one fixture exhibits low pressure, mineral buildup could be clogging it. You might also have a hidden leak somewhere in your home. Alternatively, your municipal water supplier may be delivering low water flow to your home.
To solve these problems, you may need to clean or replace the clogged fixture, find and repair hidden plumbing leaks, or install a water pressure booster. A qualified plumber can assist you with these tasks.
For help fixing these or any other plumbing problems in your San Jose home, please contact Mike Counsil Plumbing at 408-618-8002 today.
Contact Mike Counsil Plumbing and Rooter in San Jose for 24/7 Plumbing
As a Family owned and operated company we service all plumbing needs in San Jose, California and the South Bay.
