A clogged toilet can be embarrassing, and the thought of calling a plumber for such an issue can feel like an overreaction. But that clogged toilet, a backed-up sink or suddenly high water bill could be a sign of a much larger issue.
Plumbing problems can be minor, but they can also be devastating to your home and bank account. Before you put off calling a plumber for what seems like a minor water-related issue, take stock of the symptoms of the problem and what could be the cause.
Here are 14 common plumbing issues you may spot, how to diagnose them and your repair options:
— Slowly draining bathroom sink or tub.
— Slowly draining kitchen sink.
— Leaky pipes.
— Dripping faucet.
— No water on a cold day.
— Loss of water pressure.
— Water coming from appliances.
— Rattling pipes.
— Clogged toilet.
— Unexpectedly high water bills.
— Bad smells coming from the drain.
— Gurgling drains.
— Standing water in your yard.
— Loss of hot water.
[Read: 6 Common Home Code Violations and Questions to Ask Yourself When Approaching a Fix]
Slowly Draining Bathroom Sink or Tub
“By and large, hair is usually the culprit,” says Paul Abrams, director of public relations for national plumbing company Roto-Rooter, based in Cincinnati. “And there are some simple fixes for probably 80% of the drains out there. It usually involves taking a coat hanger and straightening it out, putting a little half-inch hook on there and going fishing (in the drain).”
Abrams notes that toothpaste is another fairly…
