Plumbing issues in your home can be a major cause of concern. If a clog, blockage or leak is not taken care of in a timely manner, it can escalate into bigger problems and even cause water damage to your home if left unchecked. There are many areas in your home or commercial site that have running water, and any of these places have the potential to eventually have some type of plumbing issue. Beyer Plumbing has been providing comprehensive plumbing and other water-related services to the residents of San Antonio since 1990, and we have years of accumulated experience in any and all things having to do with plumbing. Following are some of the more common plumbing problems that can occur in your kitchen.
1. Low Water Pressure
If you begin to notice problems with your water pressure coming out of one of your faucets, then it is probable that it may simply be a problem with a clogged aerator. The aerator is the small circular grate that is screwed onto the opening tip of the faucet. Your water can deposit minerals that collect on the aerator, but it is easy to unscrew it and clean it with a wire brush. If that doesn’t help, then you may need to have the pipes checked that lead to the faucet.
If your overall home water pressure seems slow when taking a shower or running your faucets, or if the toilet tank is slow to fill and the washing machine and dishwasher take longer to run a cycle, then you will need to find the cause as it relates to the main pipes coming into the house. The first place to check is the water meter outside your house. Remove the cover and check to see if the dial is turned all the way on. If you or the municipality has done any kind of plumbing work, then someone may have neglected to turn the valve correctly.
If the meter valve is not the issue, then the next item to check is the main shutoff valve on the main pipe coming into your home. Again, if you’ve had recent work done, the valve may not be turned fully. Another thing you can have checked is the pressure regulator or pressure-reducing valve, if you have one (not all homes have these). If these valves are failing, they can either cause a spike or a drop in water pressure.
2. Leaking Faucet
A leaking faucet can have many possible culprits. A washer that is worn out is a common cause of a leaking faucet, and it becomes worn down from the constant friction from the water being forced through the valve seat. It could also be a corroded valve seat, which is a connection between the spout and the faucet in the compression unit. If the faucet is leaking around the base, then it is probably a worn-out O-ring seal.
3. Clogged Sink
If your sink is clogged, then it is usually caused by a buildup of material in the pipes immediately below the sink. The pipes here are shaped in a P shape to trap the gases by pulling water down by gravity into the curved section. Over time, grease and soap scum can accumulate in your kitchen sinks, and hair can also catch in the pipes in the bathrooms. If buildup under the sink is not the problem, then there may be a clog farther down the pipe. A long tube called a “snake” can be inserted to check and clean out pipe obstructions farther down the pipes.
4. Garbage Disposal
A clogged or jammed garbage disposal can cause your kitchen sink to back up. Your garbage disposal can handle a lot of waste products, but sometimes small, hard objects like popcorn kernels or bones can jam the blades. If removing obstructions and turning the motor with an Allen wrench does not help, then the disposal may need replacing.
5. Dishwasher Leaks
Dishwasher leaks can be the result of many things. If it is something simple and within reach, then the fix will not require the whole unit to be pulled out. If it is caused by a bad float switch, this will allow the water to fill the tub until it overflows. Broken spray arms can cause leaks as well as ill-fitting gaskets or loose hose connections to the sink drain or garbage disposal. If these are not the issues, then the unit will have to be pulled out and examined.
6. Refrigerator Leaks
A small pooling of water beneath and around your refrigerator may be a leak, but it can also be condensation dripping onto the floor. First, check to make sure the refrigerator is level. If you have recently moved the fridge, then this may very well be the cause. You will need to test this by adjusting the leveling a bit. The front of the fridge needs to be between a quarter-inch and half-inch higher than the back, in order to allow the coolant to flow freely. If the coolant is backed up, the coils can collect condensation that drips onto the floor and simulates a leak. Next, check the defrost drain for a possible blockage. If the defrost drain is blocked by an item in the fridge, then again, condensation can build up on the coils and drip onto the floor.
If it is not your condenser coil, then the issue may be the water supply line. If this is the culprit of the leak, you may also be noticing problems with your ice maker and a slow water flow in the water dispenser in the fridge door. The drain pan can also cause water to leak under the refrigerator. This pan is located under the fridge and can be pulled out and checked to see if the water is somehow escaping from the pan.
7. Washing Machine
Some kitchens have the laundry room positioned adjacent to an adjoining wall. If the washing machine or a laundry sink is close to the connecting wall, a leak from the machine or the sink can penetrate into the kitchen. If you notice water along this wall that seems to appear in your kitchen for no apparent reason, then check the pipes, sinks and machines in your laundry for any possible issues. A washing machine can have burst hoses or degraded or loose washers, and the laundry sink may have a leak in the pipe. These issues can cause damage to your walls and floors and should be addressed quickly.
Plumbing issues can occur at any time, and small problems can become bigger issues down the road. Some of the causes may be minor and easily fixed, but others may require further investigation. Beyer Plumbing is a family-owned and locally operated business that has been providing expert plumbing services to the San Antonio and surrounding areas for 30 years and counting. We are thoroughly knowledgeable about all plumbing systems, and we are experienced with leaks emanating from appliances in the home. We can also provide residential water heater services, water quality services, plumbing plans plus commercial and construction efforts. If you need any type of plumbing repairs or installations, give Beyer Plumbing in San Antonio a call today!
