If you are a first-time homeowner, there is one thing you should expect to have problems with in your home—your plumbing system. Plumbing problems occur in all homes, and they typically happen at the most inopportune moments. Here are the most common types of plumbing problems you may experience with your home, why they happen and how to prevent them from occurring.

WATER-HEATER FAILURE

While all plumbing problems are bad, waking up to find that you have no hot water is always a huge inconvenience, yet it happens. A water heater can stop working for a number of reasons, but a common reason is from sediment in the water.

If you have hard water in your home, the sediment from it can start accumulating on the bottom of the tank. Eventually, this build-up of sediment can interfere with the system's ability to make hot water. To fix this problem, a plumber will flush the system out.

To prevent this issue from occurring again, you should consider putting in a water-treatment system, such as a water softener. You could also try turning the temperature down on the system. Hot water causes more sediment to remain in the tank, which increase the chances of water-heater failure in a house.

LEAKS IN PIPES

Finding a leak in a pipe is another common plumbing emergency, which you should address immediately. If you see a plumbing leak, make sure you take every measure you can to stop the water from getting inside your home. Try shutting off the main water valve to your house or placing a bucket under the leak.

Water damage can easily occur in a home when pipes leak, and pipes typically leak from holes that develop in them or from loose joints. Fixing a plumbing leak requires gaining access to the pipe and replacing it. This repair often requires cutting holes in walls or ceilings in a home, which can create a mess but is often the only way to gain access to the plumbing pipes.

Preventing plumbing leaks is not a simple task, especially in an older home. If you develop a lot of plumbing leaks, you might benefit from having a plumber repipe your entire home. Replacing old pipes with new ones is a sure way to stop leaks from occurring.

CLOGGED DRAIN LINES

A lot of homeowners also experience clogs in their drain pipes, and this too is a bad problem to encounter. A clogged line can occur with any drain pipe, but it is more likely to occur with old pipes or when homeowners place the wrong things in pipes.

A clogged drain pipe occurs when debris gets trapped inside a pipe and prevents water from passing through. This plumbing problem can leave you unable to use a certain sink or fixture in your home.

Plumbers fix clogged drain pipes in several ways. The first method involves using a snake. A snake is a device a plumber puts inside a pipe to force debris out of the way. A second method involves the use of highly pressurized water the plumber forces into the drain. Your plumber may use additional methods too.

The best way to prevent clogged drains is by using your drains in the right ways. Drain pipes can only handle water and human waste, which means you should avoid placing other things down the drains. For instance, never put grease, hair, sanitary products or food down the drain.

Cox Plumbing in Carrollton, GA, can help you fix any type of plumbing problem you have, and you can call anytime. We offer emergency services, general repair services and preventative maintenance services.