Top Four Outdoor Plumbing Problems and How to Solve Them

The Ups and Downs of In and Out Plumbing.

Plumbing is handy. Handier than a lot of us tend to realize. Networks of pipes bring us drinking water, heating, baths, and showers, but plumbing isn’t just limited to the familiar copper solder-elbows and bathtub rough-ins we encounter in our daily lives. In fact, having indoor plumbing in the first place means that we must have outdoor plumbing to bring water from the sources to our homes, and that may require the support of plumbers in Anaheim.

There is some overlap with the problems that can arise between indoor plumbing and outdoor plumbing, but there are some prominent differences, too. Outdoor plumbing is subject to greater temperature differentials, inclement weather, exposure to elements, structural degeneration, contamination, and a whole host of other problems that require innovative and often frustrating solutions, often causing you to resort to calling your local a plumber.

So just in case, you should be unlucky enough to run into one of these problems, here are four of the most common problems plumbers in Anaheim typically see with outdoor plumbing, and how you can solve them.

Problem #1: Clogged Pipes.

A clogged pipe can present a whole host of nettlesome problems down the line. A clogged supply line could potentially cut off all of the water getting into your house, and a clogged sewer line can cause a frustrating, messy backup. Clogs are often caused by foreign materials getting flushed or washed into drain lines and either expanding or clustering in one area. However, many of these problems occur within indoor plumbing. Outdoor plumbing tends to be more prone to clogging by dirt and tree roots growing into hairline cracks in the pipes, plumbers in Anaheim report.

Solution?

Without knowing exactly where the clog is or what’s causing it, the first avenue to try should be using an industrial-strength drain cleaner, especially if the clog is backing up your sink or your bathtub. If this does not work, or if the backup is coming from your toilet, you will very likely need to resort to calling plumbers in Anaheim to see if your sewer lines need to be rooted or snaked, and if the problem is possibly coming from underground piping. Plastic root guards can be used to shield your pipe from growing root networks.

Problem #2: Frozen Pipes.

Pipes are not highly constitutional structures. They are built economically with walls solid and thick enough to withstand only household water pressure. No matter whether they are constructed of copper or PVC, they will eventually disintegrate if they are exposed to freezing temperatures, particularly while they contain water. Inside, this may not always be a problem since the ambient temperature of living space is more than sufficient to keep water from freezing. Outside, however, plumbers in Anaheim have noted that any pipe containing water is prone to the expansion of frozen water and bursting.

Solution?

One solution is to install outdoor plumbing insulation on any outdoor pipes. Another solution is to install an extra shutoff valve upstream from your outdoor plumbing supply. That way, you can shut off the valve before the frigid months and drain out the remainder of the water to the outdoors. If your pipes have already frozen, however, there may not be much you can do personally. Theoretically, you could use a heat gun on any exposed pipes, but this is highly discouraged. You will likely have to consult the local plumbers in Anaheim.

Problem #3: Leaking Faucets.

A leaking faucet can be costly and may cause leak damage if left unchecked, according to plumbers in Anaheim. Faucets are not very complex plumbing elements, but there are several ways they can leak, from bad seals to corrosion, to cracking.

Solution?

Fortunately, faucets are pretty simple to address. The issue may be as simple as a crumbled O-ring that needs to be replaced, or the whole faucet mechanism itself. Faucets can be bought at any hardware store, and a lot of the time, plumbers in Anaheim can make repairs to solve the problem.

Problem #4: Leaking Sprinkler Lines.

Underground irrigation is usually an easy and unobstructive solution to keeping your landscape watered, but it has its share of drawbacks. Using a hose and an above-ground sprinkler might be a little messier, and they get in the way, but at the same time, each component can be easily discarded and replaced. Not so with sprinkler lines, though—you’ll need plumbers in Anaheim for that.

Solution?

A preventative measure would be to ensure you know where the lines are (or mark them, if possible), and inform any gardeners or landscapers working your property, so they don’t accidentally cut a line with their equipment. If the line is already broken, a property owner can - with some effort - dig up the compromised section, cut it out, and replace it themselves. If the sprinkler head is broken, however, you will likely need a quote from plumbers in Anaheim for a replacement.

Plumbers in Anaheim.

For any plumbing mishap, your local plumbers in Anaheim are just a simple phone call away. Empire Plumbing’s services include plumbers in Anaheim, Yorba Linda, and Villa Park.