Troubleshooting Plumbing Issues
Updated: May 10, 2022
Plumbing troubleshooting can be quite a daunting and stressful task however, it’s an essential first step to solving the problem. Attempting to find a leak or repairing it yourself, can lead to costly mistakes unless you are experienced. But even the most experienced DIY homeowners have spent a lot of time, money and effort without getting to the root of the problem.
Plumbing is complicated, even when you can see where a leak is coming from, fixing it is an entire different story. Calling a professional plumber to troubleshoot is the best course of action. Sure there are a lot of DIY videos out there, but what you don’t see are the mishaps. French Connection Plumbing has been providing plumbing service for a long time and we’ve seen it all. Hence our catch phrase “If your husband did the job, call me”. This stems from DYI mishaps. You may have good intentions and try to save money but this may in fact cause you more problems than you started with.
Integrity is a huge part of our business, we take this seriously. All of our plumbers are experienced and certified to handle all of your plumbing service needs.
Have a plumbing emergency? French Connection Plumbing is available 24/7 for local plumbing emergencies.
Plumbing issues can range from minor to major and everything in between. Leaving plumbing issues unchecked can result in an issue that started out as minor and over time has developed into a major plumbing emergency. Avoid these potentially expensive, messy and undesirable plumbing issues by calling a professional right away.
Some of the most common plumbing issues we’re called on to troubleshoot are:
Leaky or dripping faucets - It’s rare to find a homeowner that hasn’t experienced a leaky faucet. It’s irritating and a waste of water and can increase your water bill. The cause is usually a worn out washer or another part that needs to be replaced. Without the right tools and experienced you could make this much worse trying to fix it yourself.
Slow draining sink - Typically slow draining kitchen sinks are caused by a blockage that’s restricting water flow. Grease, food and other remnants can accumulate in the drain pipe causing issues. There can also be an odor associated with a slow draining sink. Most homeowners go straight for the plunger or resort to using drain chemicals which can damage your pipes, we do not recommend this method. There are some other ways you can attempt to unclog the drain and help water flow but it’s best to get a professional plumber to identify the source of the slow drain and fix it.
Clogged shower or bath drain - This can be a very annoying issues, as with any plumbing problem. Standing dirty water that isn’t draining properly while in the shower or bath is not how we want to get clean. Most likely the culprit of the slow drain in the bath or shower is hair and soap. This issue is very common with long hair because it knots up causing a restriction in the flow of water. As additional soap and more hair enter the drain, it gets stuck and accumulates causing a complete clog. You can attempt to use a plunger and pull out the clog, but most likely it will happen again because the drain pipe was not cleaned out completely. Hiring a professional plumber is the best solution to fix it right the first time.
Clogged garbage disposal - Your garbage disposal system is a very convenient part of your kitchen. Also, can be very intimidating to troubleshoot issues. If your garbage disposal is draining slow or there’s a bad smell, this could be an indicator that there’s a blockage in the drain. French Connection Plumbing certified technicians can get in and fix your garbage disposal and have your kitchen sink draining properly.
Clogged toilet - Clogged toilets are common, most of the time we can unclog them using a plunger. The typical causes are human waste, feminine hygiene products and toilet paper. But we’ve also had children toys and other objects that should not have been flushed, causing the clog. There’s nothing fun about cleaning the mess from an overflowing toilet. French Connection Plumbing, your local plumber, can come out and fix the issue fast.
Running toilet - A running toilet can cost a lot of money for homeowners. Up to 200 gallons of water per day could be lost. The most common and straightforward culprit is a faulty flapper valve. This valve controls the water that flows from the tank to the bowl. Less commonly and more complicated are issues stemming from sediment. This would definitely affect flushing the toilet and filling back up properly. You will notice an increase in your water bill and may want to have your local plumber, French Connection Plumbing check for silent leaks in the pipes.
Sewer system backup - Pee-yew! When your sewer system backs up this is a problem you want fixed fast. Sewer system backups are a nightmare for homeowners. Causing undesirable odors of human waste and are inconvenient for everyone in the house. If your sewer system is backed up, most likely you have issues throughout your drains and toilets. Depending on the location of the blockage causing the sewer backup will determine if it’s your responsibility or not. On your property, it’s your responsibility. On public road, its your water company’s responsibility. So how do you know where the blockage is coming from? French Connection Plumbing certified technicians use a specialized plumbing camera that sends a live feed back to the plumber to locate the blockage quickly.
Low water pressure - We rely on our water pressure to disperse water efficiently and quickly. Having low water pressure can be not only annoying to the homeowner but also an indicator of a serious problem in your pipes. Especially, when it comes to older homes. Over time pipes that have been cracked, corroded or worn down over time can break. There can be hidden issues where the water has found a way to. Causing mold, rotting wood and damaging your home. Don't ignore the signs of a possible leak, call French Connection Plumbing, our experts technicians are qualified to diagnose and fix plumbing issues fast.
Leaky pipes - Leaks can be a complete nuisance. Causing damage to your floors, walls, furniture and belongings. Moisture, if left unchecked can lead to mold and encourage bugs like cockroaches. When you have a leaky pipe you want it repaired quickly to prevent additional damage. Sometimes locating the leak can be tricky. Our expert, certified plumbers at French Connection Plumbing use cutting edge technology to locate sneaky, hidden leaks in your pipes. Each one of our expert plumbers are experienced and qualified to locate and fix even the most stubborn leaks.
Most leaks happen at the joints or where an existing weak spot in the pipe was previously repaired. Plumbing leaks are typically more common during the winter when water freezes, expanding the pipes causing them to burst. If the leaky pipe is beyond repair, we can put in brand new pipes no need to call on multiple contractors.
Whether you need a complete repiping job, or locating and repairing a leak, French Connection Plumbing can help.
Reliable, Honest and Competitively Priced Local Plumbing Service.
Whatever plumbing issue you have, it’s important to work with an experienced local plumber trained licensed and insured.
French Connection Plumbing has the credentials, experience and has earned 5 star reviews from customers. We also hold an A+ Business rating with the BBB.
French Connection Plumbing is Your Premier Local Plumber.
Call us to Schedule a Service (916) 833-7618, or Contact Us for a Quote.