A household appliance doesn’t have to be old to have problems, but age can be a factor. And some appliances are more prone to certain problems. When an appliance is connected to the plumbing, those problems can involve leaks or clogs. Some are easily fixed while others can be avoided with regular maintenance.
Here are plumbing problems you might have in 4 common household appliances:
A running toilet
You hear it running. It might be consistent or intermittent, but your toilet has a leak. This is a very common problem and often a fairly easy repair. Check the flapper to make sure it is getting a good seal when it closes after each flush. If that isn’t the problem then check the water level against the overflow line. There is a fill tube connected to the overflow pipe. The water should be below the overflow pipe. Check the fill valve and test the float. You might need to adjust the float so the water doesn’t rise above the overflow pipe. Your local plumber can also help you fix it.
A leaking faucet
You know you turned the knob off on the faucet yet there is still a drip. Don’t add too much pressure to the knob because it could make the matter worse. It may be that the o-ring needs to be replaced. Don’t delay repair too long because it can wear away at the faucet. And then you may need to replace it with a new faucet.
A noisy water heater
Your water heater might make a rumbling or popping noise when there is sediment built up in the tank. Excessive buildup of sediment in the bottom of the tank can overheat your unit and boil the water. This can damage your water heater. To avoid this, perform regular maintenance by draining the water and flushing out the sediments approximately two times per year. If the noise continues after you’ve drained the tank, your unit is overheating. Your local plumber can check the unit to see if it can be repaired or install a new one.
A clogged garbage disposal
Too much food forced down the disposal at once or the wrong type of food can damage the shredding mechanism and clog the drain. Oils that congeal, grinds and other small objects that stick together, fibrous vegetables, and thick peels are a few items of waste that your disposal can’t handle. When the shredding mechanism can’t process the waste, it will break or get clogged. To avoid this, be careful what you put into the disposal and read the owner’s manual to see what waste it can handle. Also, be careful by putting small quantities of waste down it at a time. And periodically run ice cubes in it to clean the mechanism and help keep the drain cleared. If you have damaged the mechanism or badly clogged the garbage disposal, you will likely need to replace it.
Problems with inefficient appliances
When an appliance gets old, it becomes less efficient. You may not directly notice this common problem because it still works. But you might indirectly see the cost on your water bill. Besides inefficient water usage, older plumbing appliances will require more continuous maintenance for proper operation. It becomes more practical to replace the appliance to save on water and maintenance costs.
There are many new appliances that have the Watersense label so you can make an informed decision about water savings before you buy. Watersense labels can be found on faucets, showerheads, and hose nozzles. Water heaters have energy star ratings that provide energy usage information for savings. And dishwashers and washing machines have both Watersense and energy star ratings.
If you need assistance with repairing or installing new appliances that connect with your plumbing system, contact High Priority Plumbing. You can call our Atlanta office at 770.860.8110.