10 Common Plumbing Issues and How to Prevent Them

Tired of leaky pipes, clogged drains and dripping shower heads? Whether you’re a homeowner or tenant, we all know that plumbing issues can cause major emotional and financial stress.

But what if there was a way to prevent these problems before they even occur?

By understanding the common plumbing issues and taking preventative measures, you can save yourself significant time, money, and a whole lot of stress.

Although we recently covered the common summer plumbing problems in Melbourne, some issues tend to rear their head all year round.  If you need help with blocked drains in Melbourne give us a call.

10 Plumbing Issues Most Melbournians Overlook

Before you need to call a plumber in Oakleigh, a plumber in Elwood, or any other corner of Melbourne, here are ten more plumbing issues that everyone should know.

Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or prefer to leave it to licensed plumbers, you must learn about these additional common plumbing issues so that you can prevent them from happening in your home.

Plumbing issues are destined to arise from time to time. However, you can save yourself from unnecessary hassle if you take a few simple preventative measures.

Here are ten fairly common plumbing issues that are likely to occur in your home at some point in the future and some advice on how to prevent them.

1 – Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure is a common issue that many homeowners in Melbourne face. This can lead to uncomfortable showers, inefficient dish washing, and even cause damage to your appliances over time.

It generally occurs when the flow of water to your faucets, showerheads, and other fixtures is weak. This is often caused by clogs in the pipes, leaks, or outdated plumbing fixtures.

To prevent low water pressure, check your water valve and make sure it isn’t halfway open. If it isn’t, run each faucet and showerhead in your house and make note of locations with low water pressure.

If there is only one location with low water pressure, that particular fixture or set of pipes might probably be clogged.

Conversely, if your entire house has low water pressure, there might be an issue with the main pipe lines.

To prevent the issue from occurring again, we recommend that you clean your fixtures regularly, replace old pipes, and consider upgrading to newer, more efficient fixtures.

2 – Main Water Line Break

There are two types of main water line break homeowners usually face. Either the issue stems from the public delivery line or the delivery line that brings water from the public main line to your home. Either way, water flow concerns can quickly take a turn for the worse.

In the case of the public line, your local council will be responsible for fixing it. In the latter case, you’re responsible for fixing the water line break.

A main water line leak or break can cause significant damage to your home and result in flooding, water damage or mould growth – all of which can lead to a hefty repair bill.

One way to identify this problem is to keep a close eye on your water bill and look for any significant increases in usage.

If you notice a sudden spike, it could be a sign of a leak in your main water line. In this case, you need schedule a professional inspection with a licensed plumber in Balwyn.

3 – Sewer Line Issues

Sewer line issues lead to unpleasant odours, slow drains, and even serious sewage backups in your home. Sewerage related problems usually occur when there is damage to the pipes that carry wastewater away from your home.

To prevent this issue, you need to be proactive and look out for early signs of trouble, such as gurgling sounds, strange smells or slow drains. You can even consider conducting annual inspections of your sewer line inspected by a licensed plumber in Epping.

4 – Expensive Water Bills

If you notice your water bill is rising month after month, this is either a sign of excessive water waste or a leak someone within the home’s plumbing network.

So, what actions can you take to prevent an expensive water bill? Other than lowering your individual water footprint, we recommend that you inspect your home and check for any leaks, damaged pipes or visible issues.

From hereby either repairing them or upgrading to more efficient plumbing fixtures. A great way to track water usage is to install a water metre. This will allow you to easily identify any significant changes and hopefully, find a workable solution.

Of course, when more serious issues arise, don’t hesitate to contact a licensed plumber.

5 – Gas Leaks & Appliance Failure

This next common plumbing issue must never be taken lightly. Gas leaks, whether they originate from the source or the appliance itself, are a serious health concern. If left unchecked, gas fumes and carbon monoxide have the potential to be fatal. The best way to identify a gas related issue is the smell. When gas is leaking or the appliance is left on for too long, a signature smell will fill the entire area. If you notice this early, turn off the appliance as soon as possible.

When it comes to gas, it never hurts to be too cautious. This is where having a licensed emergency plumber on call becomes so vital. Here, professionals with the relevant experience and training will be able to address the source of the issue and most importantly, keep you, your family or your tenants safe.

Licensed gas and hot water plumbers not only respond to emergencies, but also specialise in new appliance installation, fittings replacement and carbon monoxide testing.

6 – Wet Spots on the Lawn

If you regularly notice standing water on your lawn, it may not seem important at first. But remember, not all the wet spots on your lawn are harmless. In fact, they could be an early sign of a leak in your irrigation system, a broken water line, or another serious plumbing issue, which can all result in a costly repair bill if neglected.

Just like faulty downspouts, water can slowly seep into your home’s foundation over a period of time, which will ultimately lead to expensive and extensive damage.

That’s why it’s critical to identify and address any visible patches of water immediately. To prevent wet spots on your lawn, we recommend checking your irrigation system regularly for leaks or other issues. Doing so can save you from an unwelcome surprise and also from unnecessary expensive repairs.

7 – Overflowing Gutters

Overflowing gutters occur when the gutters on your home are either clogged with dirt and debris or damaged. When left unchecked, clogged gutters can lead to further roof damage, and even create serious foundational problems at your house.

That’s why it is important to keep your gutters free from debris so that they don’t get clogged and overflow. To prevent gutters from overflowing, make sure to clean your gutters regularly and consider installing gutter guards to keep debris out.

Additionally, you can also consider installing drainage tiles to shunt water that overflows away from your home so that it doesn’t affect your foundation.

We understand that not everyone is comfortable with getting up on ladders and cleaning out their gutters, and it is completely fine to leave this process to the professionals.

8 – Leaking Toilets

Unlike some of the other issues we’ve listed, this plumbing problem is easy to identify. Either after use or periodically, the toilet will leak or drip and create a pool of water underneath.

Put simply, no one wants their toilet to leak and leave puddles of water across the bathroom. Common causes for a leaking toilet include loose bolts, misaligned pipes and valves or an unsealed wax ring.

In some cases, you may be able to prevent the leak by adjusting and tightening the bolts that secure the toilet to the floor. However, your course of action will also depend on the age of the toilet. If it is a newer model, DIY or professional repairs will be worth the investment. For older toilets, you may be best served to organise removal and replacement.

Whether caused by excess toilet paper or foreign objects, a clogged toilet is also a very common problem for both homes and businesses. Luckily, an experienced plumber can resolve most blockages within minutes.

One simple way to prevent this from occurring is to monitor and control your bathroom habits, making sure that you aren’t using too much toilet paper at a time.

9 – Blocked Drains

Again, this is a common issue that many Melbourne home owners face. The good news is that many blockages can be prevented before they occur. A drain generally becomes blocked when foreign objects get into the sink and enter your plumbing network. This can include everything from hair to face wipes, fat deposits, large food scraps, food wrappers and anything else you wouldn’t generally place in the bathroom or kitchen sink.

Luckily, this is easily preventable by adjusting your own household habits. Another great way to avoid blocked drains is to use a green bin. If your council has green bins, you can keep a smaller bin inside where food scraps, coffee grounds and more all disposed.

If, on other hand, the blockage has already occurred, MCN Plumbing are more than happy to send a qualified plumber to Toorak, Vermont or Sandringham.

10 – Leaking Taps

Leaking taps are by far one of the most common plumbing issues in all of Melbourne. Whether leaks appear in the kitchen, bathroom or outdoors, we advise that you address them before the water bills get out of hand. Of course, some leaks can be resolved by simply tightening the tap to stop any dripping from the faucet. If the drip/leak is substantial, you can temporarily turn off the water supply. Unfortunately however, this is little more than a spot fix.

If you’re unable to stop the leak, calling your local plumber is by far the best way to fix any taps, fixtures or appliances. Whether the taps are repaired or replaced, this will put you in a strong position moving forward.

Contacting a Professional Plumber

From leaking taps to gas fittings and overflowing gutters, it is essential that Melbourne homeowners are both aware of common plumbing issues and take steps to prevent them. By staying vigilant and addressing issues immediately, you can protect your home from costly repairs and ensure it stays in the best shape for many years.

In case of an plumbing emergency, you should always act quickly by shutting down the main water supply and contacting a plumber in Camberwell, a plumber in Bentleigh, or wherever you reside in the city of Melbourne. While you can easily fix most of these plumbing issues by yourself and take preventive measures to stop these issues from occurring again, some problems will require the services of an expert plumber with years of experience.

So, if you have noticed one of these 10 problems and you’re not confident to find a DIY solution, the MCN Plumbing team are always ready to lend a hand.