Rarely does a homeowner want to think about their home's plumbing needing any type of repair, as even a seemingly minor plumbing repair job can sometimes be very expensive. However, addressing those small problems with the home's plumbing can help reduce repair costs, and ensure the plumbing is always functioning as it should. Note a few common questions you might have about residential plumbing issues, so you can know how to address and even avoid problems with the plumbing in your home.
Why does the hot water suddenly run out?
Most electric hot water heaters will have two heating coils, one at the top and one at the bottom of the tank. If just one of these coils gets damaged, there may be some hot water in the tank, but that water may not reheat very quickly. In turn, you'll have some hot water from the taps or showerhead, but it will run out more quickly than it should. A contractor can usually replace just the one damaged coil, rather than having to get a new hot water heater altogether.
Is hard water dangerous to plumbing?
Hard water refers to water with an excessive amount of minerals; these minerals can dry your skin and hair when you shower, and can leave unsightly stains inside the shower area. However, hard water is not just a nuisance; those minerals can harden and cling to the inside of the hot water heater, causing damage to the tank liner and to the pipes that lead away from the tank. Minerals can also eat away at plumbing connectors, so that your home's plumbing pipes may be more prone to leaks. If you know your home has hard water, invest in a water softener for the sake of your home's plumbing pipes, and for your skin and hair.
The toilet flap is completely closed, so why does the toilet keep running?
You may know that a toilet flushes when the flap inside the toilet tank is opened; once this flap closes again and the tank fills with water, the toilet should stop running. If the flap is closed, you would assume the toilet wouldn't run, but an older flap that is damaged or which has shrunken a bit over the years may not seal properly, and this causes a leak of the water in the tank. In turn, the toilet will run for a few seconds in order to fill the tank again. Replace that flap so it stays sealed, and this should keep the toilet from running unnecessarily.
For more information, contact companies like Peninsula Plumbing S.A.