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4 Common Causes of Home Plumbing Issues: Insight from Your Trusted Chester, VA Plumbing Service Provider
Photo By Anna Hoychuk at Shutterstock
There are a lot of things that can go wrong with your plumbing requiring you to call a plumbing service. Sometimes things go wrong because you are inadvertently flushing something down a drain you shouldn’t be. Other times it is because you failed to call a plumber at the first sign of trouble, and sometimes it is because of nothing you did. Like any other system in your home, over time your plumbing system will start to age, and things break down. Simple wear and tear is unavoidable, although with any luck regular maintenance can help spot some issues before they become major issues.
It can be extremely frustrating to have a plumbing emergency that seems to occur without any warning. The following article takes a look at some of the most common causes of plumbing issues. Some you can prevent, and some you cannot, but knowing about their potential can help you recognize the signs of trouble. As always, if you think something is wrong with your plumbing system it is always better to call a plumber before it becomes an emergency. Most plumbing issues are easier and cheaper to fix if you catch them before they result in water damage or major appliance failure.
Kitchen Grease
There are many different forms of kitchen grease, but they all jam up the drains the same. Grease can make you feel a bit nauseous to look at, especially if it’s coating your food, but it can also make your plumbing system groan. It is very easy to pour grease down the drain since most people’s stoves are close to their sinks, but if you make a habit out of it then you should put your local Chester, VA plumbing service on speed dial.
Think about what happens if you don’t clean up leftover grease right away. It hardens up and becomes a white plaque-like substance. That is exactly what happens when you flush it down your drain, you just don’t see it or notice it until it forms a complete clog. While it may go down the drain, residue grease sticks to your pipes and will accumulate over time. Even if you dump your grease out into a separate container this can happen if you don’t wipe out your pans before rinsing them because the leftover grease will travel just the same.
Keeping a disposal can that you fill with grease, like an empty coffee can, is a great way to save your drains and a call to a plumbing service. Just make sure to wipe up the pan with a paper towel to absorb leftover grease so that your effort is worthwhile.
Tree Roots
Tree roots can be invasive in more ways than one. A beautiful towering tree that shades the front of your home is capable of breaking up your home foundation and invading your underground plumbing system. It doesn’t take much for tree roots to get inside plumbing and sewage lines. Roots are drawn towards moisture, and your plumbing lines are full of it. At first, just small hair like roots may invade, but they are quickly followed by full-sized roots that grow behind them and if left untreated, tree roots can break, bend, and clog your drainage system.
Luckily, there are things you can do to prevent serious damage from occurring. Regular drain cleaning by a professional plumbing service can help you keep your pipes clear of debris and remove hair like roots before they have the chance to expand. In addition, a plumbing service with a video camera inspection system can survey your pipes to ensure that there are no roots already starting to cause damage. Catching tree root growth while it is still small is the key to avoiding costly repairs and expensive repairs down the road.
Septic Problems
Septic issues can occur on their own, but sometimes flushing certain items down the toilet can cause them. The only thing that should go down a toilet is toilet paper. People get in the habit of tossing small things down the toilet like contact lenses, floss, small tissues, etc., but all of those small items add up and cling to the sides of plumbing. Eventually, they form a complete clog, because most plumbing systems aren’t that large either. Take a look at the pipes behind your toilet- they are not that large. A surprisingly small amount of items can cause a large clog that results in water damage and a call to an emergency plumbing service.
The best way to protect yourself from this is by never flushing anything down the toilet. That is truer now than ever. With the great toilet paper shortage, you may be tempted to flush other tissues down the toilet, but they are not made for septic tank use and will cause expensive issues if you do so. Stick to TP and you won’t regret it.
Old Water Heaters
You probably don’t think about your water heater much. It probably sits in the corner of your basement where you don’t see it or consider its age on a routine basis. However, water heaters only last for a certain amount of time, and when they go bad usually one or two things happen: they stop producing hot water or they burst. Either way, you will end up requiring an emergency plumbing service. You can avoid finding yourself in this situation by calling a plumbing service and scheduling an annual inspection for your water heater. A lot of issues can be troubleshot with an annual inspection, and regular maintenance can help extend the overall lifespan of your appliance which can save you money.
These are just a few of the most common plumbing issues, there are hundreds of other things that can go wrong with a home plumbing system. Your home plumbing system is intricate and immense. If you want to avoid late-night calls to a plumbing service, call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Richmond, VA! We service the Chester, VA area and will be happy to schedule an annual maintenance visit to inspect your plumbing system and make sure everything is in tip-top shape.
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