Common Plumbing Problems
and How to Handle Them

The flapper is the rubber valve at the bottom of the toilet tank that lifts when you flush and seals shut when the tank refills. Over time, the rubber gets brittle or warped, and water leaks past it into the bowl. This is what causes that intermittent running sound. Replacing a flapper costs $5 to $10 at any hardware store. Remove the old flapper, take it with you to the store to match the size and shape, and install the new one following the package instructions. The job takes 15 minutes.

If replacing the flapper does not fix the problem, check the fill valve (the vertical assembly on the left side of the tank). A faulty fill valve can cause the tank to overfill and water to spill into the overflow tube. Adjust the float arm or replace the fill valve assembly for $10 to $20. Also check the chain connecting the flush handle to the flapper. If it is too short, it prevents the flapper from sealing. If it is too long, it can get caught under the flapper. Adjust it so there is about a quarter inch of slack.

Add a few drops of food coloring to the toilet tank. Do not flush. Wait 15 to 30 minutes. If you see colored water in the toilet bowl, you have a leak past the flapper. This test catches leaks you cannot hear. A silent leak can waste just as much water as a noisy one.

If one sink or one tub is draining slowly, the clog is likely in that fixture's trap or drain line. A plunger often clears it. For sinks, block the overflow opening with a wet rag to create a proper seal. For tubs, use a tub plunger that creates a better seal. If plunging does not work, try a drain snake (also called a plumber's snake or auger). These are available at any hardware store for $10 to $30. Feed the snake into the drain until you feel resistance, then crank it to break up the clog. Never use chemical drain cleaners. They are harsh on your pipes, bad for the environment, and often do not fully clear the clog, leaving you with a partially cleared drain that clogs again faster.

If multiple fixtures are draining slowly at the same time (for example, the kitchen sink and the bathroom sink and the tub), the clog may be in your main sewer line. This is a professional job. Other signs of a main sewer line problem include gurgling sounds from drains or toilets when you run water, water backing up in one fixture when you use another, and sewage odors. A plumber can diagnose the issue with a camera inspection, which costs $200 to $500. Rooter services to clear the main line cost $200 to $600 depending on the severity. In older South Jersey homes with clay or cast iron sewer pipes, tree root intrusion is a common cause of main line clogs.

Most garbage disposals have a reset button on the bottom. If the disposal hums but does not spin, the motor may have tripped its thermal overload. Wait a few minutes, then press the reset button. If it still does not work, check for a jam by turning off the power and using the included hex wrench or a wooden broom handle to manually rotate the flywheel from the bottom. Never put your hand inside a garbage disposal. And remember: coffee grounds, eggshells, potato peels, pasta, rice, and grease are hard on disposals and should go in the trash or compost instead.

Insulate exposed pipes in your basement, crawlspace, and attic with foam pipe insulation, available at any hardware store for $1 to $3 per six-foot section. Disconnect and drain garden hoses before the first freeze. Close indoor shutoff valves for outdoor spigots and leave the outdoor spigots open to allow any remaining water to drain. Seal gaps around pipes where they enter your home with caulk or expanding foam to keep cold air out. Let faucets drip slowly during extreme cold snaps (temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit). Moving water is much less likely to freeze.

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, you may have a frozen pipe. Leave the faucet open. Apply gentle heat to the frozen section using a hair dryer, heating pad, or space heater. Never use an open flame, blowtorch, or propane heater. Start warming the pipe closest to the faucet and work your way back toward the frozen section. As the ice melts, water will begin to flow, which helps melt the remaining ice. Continue applying heat until full water pressure returns. If you cannot access the frozen section or are unsure where the blockage is, call a plumber.

No water or very low water pressure from a faucet. Frost on visible pipes. Unusual smells from a faucet or drain (if the pipe is cracked, water may be leaking into a hidden space where it can cause mold). Strange sounds when you turn on the water. Bulging or visible cracks in a pipe. If you suspect a pipe has already burst, shut off your main water valve immediately and call a plumber.