The bathrooms are one of the most commonly used areas within any home. This means that they will be exposed to large amounts of water through everyday bathing, washing and cleaning activities. Regular use of the area, lack of maintenance, broken piping and faulty fittings can lead to many plumbing issues.
There are many common plumbing issues that occur in bathrooms, such as dripping taps, clogged drains, lack of water pressure, leaking toilets, clogged shower heads and leaking plumbing in the bathroom. If these issues aren’t resolved by the homeowner, they can cause a waste of water, higher utility bills and can cause damage to bathroom walls, floors and ceilings.
Being aware of these types of plumbing issues can help you take timely action to avoid costly repairs. We’ll look at the most common issues that occur in bathrooms and what they are caused by plus how to fix them.
Leaking Bathroom Taps
A dripping tap in the bathroom can be one of the most common plumbing issues in residential properties. Not only will this result in wasting large amounts of water, it can lead to the development of water marks around the wash basin and cause an increase in your monthly water usage.
Common Causes of Leaking Taps
There are a few reasons why your bathroom taps may begin to leak:
- Worn out washer/rubber seals
- Damaged tap cartridges
- Loose parts inside
- Corrosion inside
- High water pressure
Solutions for Leaking Bathroom Taps
Turn off the water supply. Check for any faults in the washer, cartridge and internal seals. Replace any worn parts with the correct replacement parts.
Carefully check for any loose joints and tighten them to prevent further leaking. If there are any cracks or serious corrosion on the body of the tap. Replace the entire fitting. If you are still having problems with the leaking contact a professional plumber.
Slow or Blocked Drains
Having a slow draining sink, shower or floor drain in your bathroom can be a real inconvenience and cause bad odours due to standing water. It can also cause bacteria to build up.
Common Causes Of Blocked Drains
Drains in the bathroom are commonly blocked due to build up of waste. This can include:
- Hair and soap scum
- Toothpaste and shampoo scum
- Dirt and dust
- Hard water scale
- Foreign objects getting into the drain by accident.
Solutions for Slow or Clogged Drains
Clear away any hair and grime that is on the surface of your drain cover. Use an appropriate tool or plunger to unclog small clogs.
If the blockage is deeper you can ask a plumber to use a drain snake or professional drain clearing tool. Try not to pour strong chemicals down your drains as this can cause damage to certain pipes and fittings.
To help avoid blockages in the future regularly clean your drain covers and add in some hair catchers.
Low Water Pressure in Bathroom Fixtures
Low water pressure can cause problems with your daily bathroom routine. This can be seen by low water flow from taps, showers, health faucets and other bathroom fixtures
Common Causes of Low Water Pressure
The following are common causes of low water pressure within your bathroom:
- Blocked Tap Aerators
- Mineral build up on shower heads
- Supply valves not fully open
- Water supply leaking
- Corrosion or damage to plumbing lines
- Overhead water tank/pump issues
Fixing Low Water Pressure
First establish if only one fixture is experiencing low water pressure and clear any blockages from the tap aerators and shower heads by descaling them.
Make sure that your water supply valve is fully open. If several fixtures are having issues with low water pressure then you should check your main water supply line, pump and overhead tank.
Get a professional plumber to come out to check for any hidden leaking pipes, rusting or pressure issues.
Constant running toilet/water flow
When homeowners leave their running toilet unused, it can lead to hundreds of litres of water being wasted. A running toilet is when water constantly flows into the bowl of the toilet
Most common causes of running toilet
The most common causes of a running toilet are
- Damaged flush valve/flapper
- Faulty fill valve
- Float incorrectly adjusted
- Rubber seals are worn
- Flush mechanism is loose/damaged
Solutions for a Running Toilet
1. Remove the lid of your toilet tank. Look inside and check that everything is working properly. Check that your flapper is sealing correctly.
2. Replace any broken parts such as flappers, seals and fill valves. Adjust your float to ensure you have the right amount of water.
3. If your flushing system is still causing leaks contact a professional plumber to look at the internal parts.
Leaking Bathroom Pipes
Damages caused by leaking bathroom pipework can be severe to walls, ceiling, floor and surrounding electrical components. If the leak is not visible it can be hard to tell where the leak is coming from as water will build up behind the tile or within pipework that can’t be seen.
Common Causes of Bathroom Pipe Leaks
The reasons for bathroom piping leaks could be:
- Corrosion and old pipes.
- Loose pipes.
- High water pressure.
- Damaged joints.
- Poor plumbing.
- Damage in the process of renovating the area.
Solutions for Leaking Bathroom Pipes
Identify the location of the leak and turn off the water supply. Check all open pipes and fittings for any signs of cracks or dripping. A professional plumber can locate hidden leaks using the correct leak detection tools and will cause minimal damage to your walls and floors. All damaged pipework should be replaced and faulty fittings repaired. Once all plumbing has been checked you can then reconnect the water supply.
Blocked Showerheads
Blocked shower heads can cause low water pressure and irregular flow. This is often caused due to high levels of minerals in the water supply.
Common Causes of Blockage
- Hard Water Build Up
- Build up of dirty buildup
- Rust particles from old pipes
- Soap scum
- Shower head not cleaned regularly
Solutions for Blocked Showerheads
Carefully remove the shower head and use a soft brush to clean around the spray holes. Soak any detachable parts in an appropriate descaling product following manufacturer instructions.
Once cleaned you should rinse the shower head. If there is excessive damage or corrosion then you may want to replace the shower head.
If regularly cleaned your shower will perform better and your bathroom fittings will last longer.
Bad Smells From Bathroom Drains
The smell from your bathroom drains can cause an unpleasant atmosphere in your bathroom. This might be due to a build up of waste, drainage issues or issues with your drain trap.
Common Causes Of Smelly Bathroom Drains
- Build up of hair and soap scum
- Dry or incorrectly fitted P traps
- Blocked drain pipes
- Sewer gases leaking from incorrect connections
- Bacteria growing in drain pipes
Solutions for Bad Bathroom Drain Smells
Clear out debris from the drain cover. Flush non-used floor drains to keep water sealed inside the traps. Inspect the water trap and pipes for damage. If there is still an odour then it’s best to get a plumber to look at your drainage and venting. A persistent foul odour can be a sign of a plumbing issue.
Leaky Bathroom Shower/Mixer
A leaking shower mixer will cause water wastage, dampness in your bathroom. This can cause issues when having a bath with consistent water temperature.
- Damaged cartridges
- Worn rubber seals
- Loose connections
- Cracked mixing bodies
- Incorrect installation
- Corrosion within the fitting
Solutions for Shower Mixer Leakage
Switch off the water supply. Check the cartridge, seals and pipework. Install new compatible cartridges and seals where there are damaged ones. Tighten up any loose joints. If the mixer housing is damaged or badly corroded replace with a new mixer. Have it professionally fitted to help avoid the problem recurring.