The need for bathroom repairs is one of the most common plumbing issues homeowners encounter. Sometimes, no matter how conscientious a homeowner may be in using plumbing fixtures, shower, toilet, and other bathroom fixture problems can still arise.

Here are the most common bathroom plumbing issues, and how to deal with these issues, and prevent these from recurring moving forward:

Clogged Drains

Clogged drains can happen to any household. Hair strands in the shower, soap bits that do not melt in water, as well as product wrappers can get caught in the tub and shower area drain. Same goes with the sink drain. It is best to clean the outside area first and then use a plunger.

Clogged drains can also be solved using hot water and vinegar. If the blockage remains, then an augur can be helpful. Plumbing experts, however, caution homeowners against using store-bought chemicals that promise to solve drain blockages. According to plumbing experts, these chemicals are harmful to humans and pets and can corrode plumbing fixtures causing even more complicated plumbing problems in the long run.

Once the blockage has been dislodged, homeowners can avoid a repeat scenario by buying a shower drain that can help catch hair as well as soap particles and other items that can get down the drain and eventually block it. Pouring hot water down the drain every month can also help avoid slow drains.

Leaking Faucet or Pipes

Leaky faucets are all too common in households that environmentalists claim that it represents a sizeable chunk of wasted water. Apart from its ecological impact, leaky faucets and pipes also cause higher utility bills, and can even give way to water damage and mold growth.

If a faucet or a pipe is leaking in the bathroom, it is crucial that the homeowner immediately address the issue by having a licensed plumber repair the leak.

Clogged Toilet

Clogged toilets will never be a surprise in any household, especially that which have young children. Children are curious about the flush, and could playfully throw in objects in the toilet and make them magically disappear. After a few flushes, though the object will cause blockage and cause clogging or worse, a backed up or overflowing toilet.

When clogging happens, the homeowner should stop using the toilet temporarily. Turn off the water source and use a plunger to dislodge the blockage. If this does not work, then pouring hot water might help. If this solution still does not solve the problem, then a plumber’s snake or an augur could do the job. But to permanently resolve the matter, it is best to call for licensed plumbing services.

Moving forward, homes with younger children should have toilet lids locked to prevent little people from “experimenting” with the toilet flush. It would also be best to never flush hygiene products in the toilet such as tissues, baby wipes (even though it is labeled flushable), panty liners, tampons, feminine napkins, cotton buds, cotton pads and more. These items eventually cause blockages and back-ups in the long run.

Flushing the toilet with hot water every month can also help avoid significant blockages.

Running Toilet

Another all too common plumbing problem in the bathroom is a running toilet. Running toilets are not just annoying, it also drains the water supply, and the homeowner’s wallet as well. The best way to address this is by closing the toilet valve, and then try to check on the toilet flapper if it is working fine. If it is and the toilet continues to be runny with water, then it is best to call a San Diego Plumber who can address the matter as soon as possible.

Close to 200 gallons of clean water can be wasted on running toilets, so it is best to have it fixed soonest.

Low flow or low water pressure

Low water pressure in the bathroom or the shower can be an inconvenience.  This, however, is a problem that is way too common. It usually occurs in homes that have hard water. Sometimes the sedimentation can block water flow, so as an initial action, homeowners can clean the faucet and the shower head to see if mineral deposits just cause the low flow. White vinegar is an effective cleanser to use for this purpose.

If cleaning the faucet and the shower head does not seem to work, then it is possible that there is a leak somewhere that bypasses the supply, or there is an issue in the main line. It could also be possible that it is from the utility supplier, especially when the low flow happens in the whole household.

Should the trouble persist, it is best to seek the services of a licensed plumbing contractor.

 Bathroom repairs could sometimes be inevitable. It is vital that every household has a trusted licensed plumber on call who can help right away in solving bathroom plumbing issues and resolve emergency plumbing situations.