Common Pipe and Valve Problems

A pipe is where fluids flow through. A valve, on the other hand, controls or directs the fluid’s passage. By opening a valve, you create water pressure to initiate the flow of water through the pipes and out the tap. As you open a valve, you actually lower the water pressure so that water now moves from its pressurized source to where the pressure is lower.A perfect example of a valve is your faucet. You open it to let the water start flowing, and by closing it, you cut the water supply.

Below are three common pipe and valve problems, and how to deal with them:

1. Leaky Valves

This is so common that it is safe to say that most homes in the world experience a leaky valve and get annoyed from the stubborn dripping. If you don’t use one of yourfaucets for a long time and suddenly decide to switch it on, it could start dripping due to the sudden surge of water.

To fix the problem, you might need to simply tighten the packing nut. Turn the valve off and then on again to see if you’ve fixed it. If that didn’t work, it could mean you need to replace the valve. Turn off the main valve, take away the old valve and screw in a new one.

2. Burst Pipes

The next common problem is a burst pipe. Pipes burst as they get frozen. You won’t know this until you switch the valve again after winter has gone. There is no easy fix to a burst pipe. You need to have it replaced.

3. No Water

And third, it is a problem when nothing happens as you try to switch a valve open. This means you are not lowering the water pressure, hence the water doesn’t move. This can only mean the mechanism is damaged and again you would need to make a replacement.

Meanwhile, as it is true anywhere that prevention is better than cure, this applies with your pipes and valves as well. To lessen your chances of getting leaky pipes, consider these simple plumbing maintenance tips:

1.      Handle your fixture gently

Anything that turns can be broken when turned too much, too far away or too abruptly. Instruct your children to be careful when turning the taps on and off, and not to play with them.

2.      Conserve water

Water is a limited resource; this may not seem apparent at the moment but it is true. Conserving water and being mindful about this precious resource also preserves plumbing fixtures.

3.      Learn basic plumbing

Homeowners shouldn’t be afraid to check for leaks and attempt to fix them. Changing a pipe may seem a difficult thing to do, but once you turn off the main valve and stop the flow of water, fixinga leak and replacing a pipe becomes manageable.

4.      Call for help

Call a licensed plumber when you cannot fix a problem by yourself. Do not wait for the problem to get bigger before you call a professional. Plumbers are especially trained to fix your plumbing problems with the least amount of time so as to minimize the damage that can happen to your property when facing a plumbing issue.

Joyce Del Rosario is a blogger from Toronto Plumber, one the of the leading sites offering Drain Camera Inspection.