Common Plumbing Problems Happening Under Your Sink

April 17th, 2016

There are plenty of places where your home can experience plumbing problems. Some of them are obvious, such as a drip in your sink or a constantly running toilet, but others are not so obvious because they happen in places where you can’t see them. The leaks under your sink often fall into the latter category and can be difficult to identify if you don’t know how or where to check for them. Here are some of the common issues happening under your sinks, and how to spot them.

Clogged Drains

Drains consist of several pipes and connectors that carry items from the sink to the sewer or septic tank, and in the maze of pipes there are plenty of things that can go wrong. Occasionally you’ll get a slow drain that has buildup around the edges, while other times you might have an object lodged in the pipes. This is especially common in areas where the pipes bend or twist. Most of the time you’ll notice that the flow of the drain slows or stops entirely, and that’s when you should call a plumber in Utah, before the backup causes leaks or burst pipes.

Water Pressure Problems

Nobody wants to have low flow water, but these could be signs of a problem with your sink. To test the problem, check the hot and cold taps separately to see if you can identify which one has a problem; if it’s both, then you know there is likely a problem at the faucet head. If it’s one or the other, call a plumber to help you figure out where the issue is in your plumbing system.

Leaking Pipes

A leak under your sink can be caused by many different things, including corrosion in the pipes, leaks or clogs, poor insulation, or a bad connection. The problem is that a seemingly minor leak under your sink will often go unnoticed for a long period of time, and in the meantime it can create significant damage to the area under your sink. While it’s advisable to call a professional plumber, some people do decide to do it on their own. Before you attempt to make any repairs, shut off the water. Then seal up the damaged or weak area with caulking, but keep in mind that in some cases this might not correct the problem and you will need to replace the pipes or connectors entirely. Depending on how long the leak has been around, you should also check the area for damage from mold and mildew.

Before attempting any serious repairs, it’s a good idea to call a Utah plumber to ensure that you get expert help and get your plumbing repaired correctly without any future problems.