Plumbing Troubleshooting Steps to Try Before Calling a Professional

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When a plumbing problem rears its head, chances are you’ll likely call on a professional to quickly and correctly take care of the problem. However, you want to make sure that the problem you’re dealing with can’t be solved on your own before scheduling an appointment.

Following the helpful plumbing troubleshooting steps below may help you solve some plumbing issues on your own or get an idea of what’s in store before you call on a plumber.

  • Clogged toilets: Use a plunger to clear most common clogs. Some clogs may require a toilet snake to break up, if you have one on hand. Also make sure that occupants don’t use too much toilet tissue or flush items that are not supposed to be flushed.
  • Bathroom leaks: Visually inspect all of the visible pipes and valve gear for any signs of leaks. If the floor feels spongy or if you feel loose or leaky tiles, it may be a sign of hidden water damage caused by a leak somewhere.
  • Bathroom or kitchen sink clogs: If you have metal piping, try pouring boiling hot water directly down the drain to break up clogs. If that doesn’t work, use a cup plunger (not a flange plunger as used with bathroom toilets) to clear the clog. Be sure to use quick, sharp plunges when working the obstruction loose.
  • Garbage disposal problems: Make sure stringy items like corn husks and banana peels haven’t be thrown down the garbage disposal. The same applies to grease, egg shells and non-organic trash such as rubber bands and cigarette butts.
  • Sewer line backups: Observe how the water in your sink, bathtub and toilet drains. If it drains slowly or if you see toilet water backing up into the bathtub drain, contact a plumber as soon as possible.

For more expert plumbing troubleshooting steps, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at Roth Home & Cooling. Since 1976, we’ve helped countless residents throughout Portland and the surrounding area with their heating, cooling and plumbing needs.

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Industry Affiliations
100 Best Companies Oregon
Happiness Award
Best Company Woman Badge
Best CEO Badge
Best Company Outlook
Bradford White - Water Heaters
GENERAC
Daikin - Air Intelligence
BBB Rating A+
Angie - Super Service Award 2023
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