You’re standing in the kitchen after a long day, and you hear it. That steady drip, drip, drip from under the sink. Or maybe you’ve noticed your water bill creeping up for no obvious reason. Perhaps the shower barely trickles while you’re trying to rinse shampoo out of your hair.
Sound familiar?
Plumbing issues have a way of showing up at the worst possible times. And for homeowners across Metro Atlanta, from Roswell to Marietta, these problems don’t just go away on their own. The good news is that many common plumbing issues are easier to understand than you think. Some you can handle yourself. Others need a professional touch. Either way, knowing what you’re dealing with gives you the upper hand.
In this post, we’ll walk through the plumbing issues homeowners run into most often, explain what’s causing them, and help you figure out the smartest next step.
Why Is My Faucet Dripping Nonstop?
A leaky faucet is one of those problems that seems small but adds up fast. A single dripping faucet can waste over 3,000 gallons of water per year. That’s money literally going down the drain.
Most leaky faucet repair comes down to worn-out washers, O-rings, or valve seats inside the handle. Over time, these rubber and metal parts break down from regular use. If you’re comfortable turning off the water supply under the sink and taking the handle apart, replacing a washer is a straightforward weekend fix. Just make sure you bring the old parts to the hardware store so you get the right size.
If the dripping continues after replacing those parts, there could be corrosion or a cracked fitting deeper in the assembly. That’s when it makes sense to call in a plumber before the problem gets worse.
What’s Causing My Drain to Clog So Often?
Clogged drains are probably the single most common complaint among homeowners. Hair, soap scum, grease, and food particles build up over time inside your pipes, and one day, the water just stops flowing.
For a slow-draining sink in the bathroom, the culprit is almost always hair tangled around the drain stopper. Pull out the stopper, clean it off, and you’ll usually see improvement right away. In the kitchen, grease buildup is the usual suspect. Pouring hot grease down the drain might seem harmless at the moment, but it solidifies as it cools and coats the inside of your pipes like candle wax. Over time, that buildup narrows the pipe and traps food particles, eventually creating a blockage that no plunger will touch. If grease is the suspected culprit, skip the DIY remedies. This is a job for a licensed plumber with the tools to clear the line without damaging the pipe.
For reliable clogged drain solutions, try a combination of boiling water and a half-cup of baking soda, followed by vinegar. Let it fizz for 15 minutes, then flush with hot water. A drain snake works well for tougher blockages. What you want to avoid is relying on chemical drain cleaners too often. They can eat away at your pipes over time and create bigger problems down the road.
If clogs keep coming back in the same spot, it might point to a deeper issue in your sewer line that needs professional attention.
How Do I Fix a Toilet That Won’t Stop Running?
A toilet constantly running isn’t just annoying. It can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day. The running toilet fix is usually simpler than people expect.
Open the tank and take a look inside. In most cases, it’s one of three things: the flapper valve isn’t sealing properly, the fill valve is malfunctioning, or the float is set too high. The flapper is a rubber piece at the bottom of the tank that lifts when you flush. If it’s warped or has mineral buildup on it, water seeps through continuously. Replacement flappers cost a few dollars and snap right into place.
If the float is too high, water keeps running into the overflow tube. Adjusting it down about half an inch usually does the trick. When all three components look fine and the toilet still runs, the fill valve itself might need replacing.
A running toilet can also signal something more serious. Water escaping the supply line or tank connections doesn’t always stay visible. It can work its way into the wall cavity, seep through the subfloor, or show up as staining on the ceiling of the room below. By the time you notice the damage, the repair bill has grown well beyond a simple parts swap.
Why Is My Water Pressure So Low?
Low water pressure in your house makes everything harder, from rinsing dishes to taking a decent shower. There are several reasons it happens.
Start with the simple stuff. Check if only one fixture is affected. If your showerhead has weak pressure, unscrew it and soak it in vinegar overnight to dissolve mineral deposits. Hard water here in the Atlanta area can cause significant buildup inside fixtures and aerators.
If the low pressure is house-wide, check your main shutoff valve to make sure it’s fully open. Sometimes it gets bumped partially closed during other repairs. You should also check with your neighbors. If they’re experiencing the same thing, the issue might be on the municipal side.
Persistent low water pressure across the whole house could signal corroded pipes, especially in older homes. Galvanized steel pipes, common in houses built before the 1980s, slowly corrode and restrict flow from the inside out. A plumbing inspection can determine if repiping is needed.
What Should I Do About Dripping Pipes Under My Sink?
Dripping pipes under the sink often go unnoticed until you spot water stains, warped cabinet wood, or the musty smell of mold taking hold. The most common culprits are loose connections at the P-trap, worn-out compression nuts, or small cracks in the drain pipe itself. Bathroom pipes face an additional threat: hair buildup. When hair accumulates and clogs the drain, the resulting backpressure can force water to seep out at weak points in the line.
Tighten all visible connections by hand first. If the drip stops, you’re done. If it doesn’t, check the joints with a dry paper towel to pinpoint exactly where the water is coming from. Sometimes the fix is as simple as replacing a rubber gasket.
When you see active corrosion, green or white mineral deposits on copper or brass fittings, or cracked PVC, it’s time for replacement parts. Left alone, dripping pipes under the sink can lead to serious water damage and mold growth in your cabinets and subfloor.
What If My Water Heater Stops Working?
Few things ruin your morning like stepping into a cold shower. When your water heater isn’t working, the first thing to check depends on what type you have.
For electric water heaters, check the breaker panel. A tripped breaker is the most common and easiest fix. Reset it and wait about 30 minutes. For gas water heaters, make sure the pilot light is lit and that the gas supply valve is open. If you smell gas near the unit, leave the house immediately and call your gas company.
If the water is lukewarm rather than cold, the thermostat might need adjusting, or the heating element could be going bad. Water heaters generally last 8 to 12 years. If yours is getting up there in age and giving you trouble, replacement is usually more cost-effective than repeated repairs. The team at Busted Pipes Plumbing can assess your unit and help you decide.
Could I Have a Sewer Line Blockage?
Sewer line blockage is one of the more serious plumbing issues homeowners face, and it often shows warning signs before it becomes an emergency. Watch for multiple drains backing up at the same time, gurgling sounds from your toilet when you run the bathroom sink, or sewage smells coming from your drains.
Tree root intrusion is a major cause of sewer line problems, especially in established neighborhoods with mature landscaping. Roots naturally seek out moisture and can work their way into tiny cracks in older clay or cast iron pipes.
This is not a DIY situation. A professional plumber can run a camera inspection through your sewer line to see exactly what’s happening and recommend the right solution, whether that’s hydro jetting to clear the blockage or a targeted repair.
Seasonal Plumbing Maintenance: Protecting Your Pipes Year-Round
A little routine plumbing maintenance goes a long way toward avoiding expensive emergencies. Here’s a simple plumbing inspection checklist you can follow throughout the year.
- Spring and Summer: Check outdoor hose bibs for leaks. Run water through any fixtures that weren’t used over the winter. Inspect visible pipes in crawl spaces and basements for signs of moisture or corrosion. Test your water heater’s pressure relief valve.
- Fall and Winter: This is when winter pipe protection matters most. Disconnect and drain garden hoses before the first freeze. Insulate exposed pipes in your attic, garage, and crawl spaces. On nights when temperatures drop below freezing, open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls and let faucets drip slightly to keep water moving through the pipes. Knowing how to prevent frozen pipes saves you from the nightmare of burst pipe repair, which can cause thousands of dollars in water damage.
Building seasonal plumbing maintenance into your routine is one of the best things you can do for your home plumbing system maintenance.
Your Plumbing Questions Answered
What are the most common plumbing issues homeowners face, and how can they fix them?
The most common plumbing issues include leaky faucets, clogged drains, running toilets, low water pressure, dripping pipes under sinks, water heater problems, and sewer line blockages. Many of these, like replacing a faucet washer or clearing a hair clog, can be handled with basic tools. More complex problems like sewer backups or burst pipes should be left to a licensed plumber.
How often should I schedule a plumbing inspection?
Most plumbing professionals recommend an annual inspection to catch small problems before they turn into emergencies. If your home is older than 20 years or you’ve noticed changes in water pressure or drainage, scheduling one sooner is a smart move.
How can I tell if I have a hidden water leak?
Signs of a hidden leak include unexplained increases in your water bill, the sound of running water when everything is turned off, damp spots on walls or ceilings, and musty odors. A professional leak detection service can locate the source without tearing into your walls.
What’s the best way to prevent frozen pipes in winter?
Insulate pipes in unheated areas like attics, garages, and crawl spaces. On freezing nights, let faucets drip slightly and open cabinet doors to allow warm air to reach pipes along exterior walls. Disconnect outdoor hoses before temperatures drop.
Is it worth fixing an old water heater, or should I replace it?
Water heaters typically last 8 to 12 years. If yours is within that range and needs frequent repairs, replacement is usually the better investment. Newer models are more energy efficient and can lower your monthly utility costs.
When Plumbing Problems Call for a Professional
Not every plumbing issue needs a pro, but some definitely do. If you’re dealing with sewer line problems, burst pipes, water heater failure, or recurring issues that keep coming back despite your best efforts, it’s time to bring in someone with the right tools and experience.
Busted Pipes Plumbing serves homeowners throughout Metro Atlanta, including Roswell, Alpharetta, and Marietta. Whether you need a quick repair or a full plumbing inspection, our team is here to help you get things back to normal without the runaround. Reach out today, and let’s take care of it together.