The 5 Most Common Plumbing Repairs

Do you ever find yourself wondering if other people have the same “bad luck” with their faucets, showers, and toilets that you do? Surely you’re not the only one right? Right! We all have plumbing issues, and if you’re a homeowner, it’s handy to know a quick fix. 

When you have a sudden plumbing issue or finally get tired of the same problem over and over again, you can try to fix it yourself or call All City Plumbers, your 24-hour emergency plumbing contractors right here in Birmingham, AL. 

We’ve been serving and servicing families like yours for years, so what are the most common plumbing repairs we’ve seen? And what should you do if these issues come up at your house?

Fixing a running toilet

This is not too bad of a plumbing issue to have because it’s a common one with a simple, mess-free repair that you’ll most likely be able to do yourself. Toilets have a system inside the tank that’s responsible for stopping and starting the flow of water when it’s time to flush. Over time, these parts can wear down or even break. Sometimes, they’re merely stuck or jammed. So before you give us a call or go buy a new toilet, take the lid off of the tank behind the bowl and check the chain to see if it got caught. Adjust any problems you see, and see if that resolves the problem. Don’t forget to turn off the water to your toilet using the shutoff valve under the bowl if you plan on working on the inside of the tank.

If you need to replace the flapper valve system, you can find them at pretty much any home improvement store. Just make sure to take the old one with you and write down your toilet brand so you can try to get the closest match. The replacement process may only take 15 minutes or so! If you run into any problems though, you know who to call !

Correcting leaky faucets

Leaking = losing money (and no one wants that). If the faucet in your kitchen or bathroom is leaking, it needs to be stopped as soon as possible so you don’t keep losing water and money on your water bill. If you don’t have time or have somewhere to be, give us a call and we’ll be happy to come fix it for you. 

Usually, a leaking faucet means something isn’t sealed correctly or has come loose. You can try removing the end of the head of the faucet (if possible) and check to see if the seal is still intact or needs to be replaced. If that’s not the problem, check the pipes under the sink to see if there’s a loose joint in the pipes. When in doubt, give us a call ! 

Unclogging drains

We’ve all been there…the tub starts filling up while you’re showering or the sink won’t drain all the way. There’s most likely a clogged pipe. There, of course, are several ways to handle this. You can go with the safest, but the grossest option and try to fish out the wad of hair or gunk causing the backup. You can use a drain snake or even an unraveled clothes hanger to accomplish this. Another successful option is to use drain chemicals, however, keep in mind that they can cause damage to your pipes over time with regular use. If clogged drains are a recurring problem, contact us so we can help you get to the bottom of the issue. A good way to avoid clogged drains is to use drain screens. Read more about clogged drains in a previous blog post here . 

Repairing a leaky water heater

When dealing with larger appliances like water heaters, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. This isn’t a repair you’ll want to tackle yourself without some training or education. If you notice a drop in water temperature or a total lack of hot water, don’t put it off, go ahead and call us so we can go ahead and get it fixed for you so you can go back to enjoying a hot shower or washing your clothes in the right temperature. 

If you have a significant leak that’s starting to cause damage or flood an area of your house, we are your 24-hour emergency plumbing contractors and we’re here for you in Birmingham, AL, and surrounding areas, so contact us at any time!

When do you have to call All City Plumbers?

Some issues are too dangerous or complicated to tackle alone. Allow us to handle the following tasks for your safety and the integrity of your home:

• Installation of new pipes or equipment
• Water heater problems
• Septic tank connection leaks (the parts between your house and the tank)
• Sewer line leaks

If you’re dealing with any of the above issues, are struggling with a DIY repair, or need 24-hour emergency plumbing contractors in Birmingham, AL, contact All City Plumbers .