3 Plumbing Problems and What to Do About Them

Are you ready to tackle your plumbing problems?

Some plumbing problems around the home can start as simple annoyances, like a faucet with a constant drip. Others can lead to disaster if they remain unchecked. Here are three of the most common problems found in homes and our suggestions as to how to deal with them.

Plumbing Problem #1: Gas Leaks

Some gas leaks are obvious. When the offensively foul odor of rotten eggs hits your nose, you know without a doubt you’ve got a gas leak. It commands immediate attention. Other leaks are so small they may sneak by unnoticed. These tiny leaks are just as dangerous as the smelly, obvious leaks and are more easily checked by a Blue Frost Heating & Cooling professional. We have special detectors with micro thermal conductivity sensors that respond rapidly to the smallest of leaks.

Your local natural gas company will often sponsor gas safety events in your community to further educate homeowners on gas safety in the home. You can also check with your Blue Frost Heating & Cooling HVAC technicians when they come into your home to tune up your furnace or air conditioner. When you call for a Blue Frost Heating & Cooling plumber, ask if they have gas detecting devices and can perform a safety test for you. In addition to testing around the furnace, request that they use their device to inspect around your gas stove in the kitchen and around the gas dryer in the laundry room. Leaks in these areas are more common than most people realize.

Plumbing Problem #2: Toilet Leaks

An unchecked leaky toilet can send your hard-earned money down the drain. Typical leaks in the toilet occur inside the water storage tank. The rubber flapper may be worn out or cracked. When this happens, the flapper can no longer stop the water from slowly leaking into the toilet and going down the drain. These types of leaks are an easy fix you can do yourself. Simply replace the flapper. When you head to your local hardware store to buy a replacement, be sure to take the flapper with you to the store. This way you’ll be sure to get the same model as the one you need to replace.

Other leaks in toilet tanks may occur because of a handle that is not tightened or faulty fill valve. The fill valve controls the refilling of the tank after the toilet is flushed. The float valve attached to the fill valve may need adjusting, or you may need a new fill valve. You can replace this valve yourself by following manufacturer’s instructions, or you can call (630) 444-0860 for a Blue Frost Heating & Cooling plumber to help you solve the problem.

Serious leaks can also occur at the base of the toilet. These are the worst kind because they can go unnoticed for long periods of time and cause structural damage to the home. To find out if there is a leak at the base of your toilet, add some blue food coloring to the storage tank. Then, completely wipe around the base of the toilet to make a leak more noticeable. Wait about an hour. Return to wipe around the base of the toilet once again with a paper towel. If the towel shows the color of the blue food coloring, then you have a leak at the base.

In this situation, you’ll need to replace the wax ring or flange. These items are available for purchase at your local hardware store. If installing them is more than you want to take on, call for a Blue Frost Heating & Cooling plumber at any time for assistance.

Plumbing Problem #3: Shower Head Leaks

Shower head leaks are easily repaired, so you can fix this plumbing problem on your own if you wish to.

1. Turn off the water to the shower before starting any repairs or inspection.
2. Unscrew the shower head using a wrench if necessary.
3. Remove the rubber gasket inside the shower head and replace it with one the same size. It should not be that hard to push the new gasket into place.
4. Wrap some Teflon tape around the threads of the pipe prior to screwing the shower head back on. This will help create a perfect seal.
5. Reattach the shower head by screwing it back onto the pipe and hand tightening it.
6. Perform a test by turning on the water to see if the shower head still leaks. Hopefully, your leaky shower head is fixed.

If the shower head is still dripping, you may need to fix the leak at the point where the faucet is turned on and off. In this situation, turn off the water main to stop the flow of water to the shower, and replace the gasket inside the faucet.

Looking for ways to reduce energy and water use? Your local utility company may have the answer. Nicor in the Chicagoland area offers homeowners a free energy-saving kit that includes low-water shower heads in addition to kitchen and bathroom faucet aerators. These gadgets can significantly reduce the water consumption in your home and help you save on energy too by reducing your consumption of hot water.

At Blue Frost Heating & Cooling, your home health, comfort, and convenience are always our top priorities. We look forward to serving you for the lifetime of your home. Contact us at (630) 444-0860 for your home’s plumbing problems today.

Blue Frost Heating & Cooling

Cooling, Plumbing, Heating

Your leader in home comfort and customer service for 25 years.

Call (630) 444-0860 or click here for maintenance, repairs or replacement.