10 Common Household Plumbing Issues and How to Fix Them Before Calling a Plumber
Most plumbing problems in a southern New Hampshire home fall into one of about ten common categories. Many of them are minor enough that a homeowner with a basic tool kit and a few minutes can fix them. Others look minor but signal deeper issues that a licensed plumber should diagnose. Knowing which is which saves both time and money.
Here are the ten most common plumbing issues we see in NH homes, what causes each, the DIY fix if there is one, and the signs that mean it is time to call.
1. Dripping faucet
Cause: worn rubber washer (compression faucets) or worn cartridge (single-handle faucets).
DIY fix: shut off the water supply at the angle stop under the sink. Disassemble the faucet handle. Replace the washer or cartridge with an exact match from a hardware store. Reassemble.
Call a plumber if: the dripping continues after replacement, the angle stop will not shut off the water, or the faucet body itself shows corrosion.
2. Clogged drain
Cause: hair, soap scum, grease, food particles, or foreign objects accumulating in the trap or downstream pipe.
DIY fix: remove and clean the P-trap under a sink (the U-shaped pipe); most of the time the clog is right there. For shower drains, a hair-grabber tool pulls out the typical culprit. For minor blockages, pour boiling water or a vinegar and baking soda mixture; let it sit, then flush with hot water.
Avoid: chemical drain cleaners. They are caustic, damage older pipes, and are often ineffective on real clogs.
Call a plumber if: the clog returns quickly, multiple drains are slow at once (indicates a main line issue), or you hear gurgling from other fixtures.
3. Running toilet
Cause: worn flapper (rubber seal at the bottom of the tank) or misadjusted/failed fill valve.
DIY fix: open the tank lid. If water is at or above the overflow tube, adjust or replace the fill valve. If water is below the overflow but still trickling into the bowl, replace the flapper. Both are inexpensive and easy to swap.
Call a plumber if: the toilet still runs after replacing both components, or the tank itself is cracked.
4. Low water pressure
Cause: sediment buildup in faucet aerators, partially closed shut-off valves, failing pressure regulator, or municipal supply issue.
DIY fix: unscrew the aerator at the tip of the faucet, rinse out sediment, reinstall. If only one fixture is affected, this usually solves it. If pressure is low everywhere, check that the main shut-off is fully open.
Call a plumber if: pressure is low throughout the home (suggests a pressure regulator failure or municipal issue), or pressure has dropped suddenly.
5. Leaking pipe
Cause: loose threaded connections, corrosion, freeze damage, or physical damage.
DIY fix: for a small leak at a threaded joint, shut off the water and tighten the connection. Self-amalgamating tape or epoxy putty provides temporary relief for a slow drip.
Call a plumber if: the leak is in a wall or ceiling, the pipe shows visible corrosion or pinhole leaks, the leak is at a soldered joint, or the pipe is frozen.
6. No hot water
Cause: failed heating element (electric water heater), pilot light or ignitor issue (gas), tripped breaker, or end-of-life tank.
DIY fix: check the breaker for the water heater. For gas units with a pilot light, follow the manufacturer's relighting procedure if comfortable doing so. Check the temperature setting on the thermostat.
Call a plumber if: the breaker keeps tripping, the pilot will not stay lit, the water heater is leaking, or the tank is past 10 years old and showing other symptoms.
7. Garbage disposal jam
Cause: overfeeding, fibrous foods, bone fragments, or foreign objects caught in the impellers.
DIY fix: turn off the power at the breaker. Use the hex wrench (clipped to the bottom of most disposals) in the hex socket on the underside to free the impellers. Press the red reset button on the bottom. Restore power and test.
Call a plumber if: the disposal hums but will not turn even after freeing, water leaks from the housing (unit is at end of life), or the unit is past 10 years old.
8. Toilet overflow or clog
Cause: blockage in the trap, drain line, or main sewer.
DIY fix: use a flange plunger (not a cup-style plunger). Pump firmly several times to break up the clog. If plunging fails, use a toilet auger (closet auger), which is designed to clear the toilet trap without scratching the porcelain.
Call a plumber if: the toilet clogs frequently (indicates a deeper issue), the clog will not clear with plunging or auger, other fixtures back up at the same time (main line issue), or sewage backs up into other fixtures.
9. Sewer smell from drains
Cause: a P-trap that has dried out (rare-use guest bathroom, floor drain), a blocked vent pipe on the roof, or a cracked sewer line.
DIY fix: pour water down rarely used drains to refill the trap. Check roof vents for obvious blockages (animal nest, debris) if you can do so safely.
Call a plumber if: the smell persists after refilling traps, the smell is throughout the home, or multiple fixtures share the symptom.
10. Noisy pipes (banging, hammering, whistling)
Cause: water hammer (sudden valve closure creating shock wave), high water pressure, loose pipe straps, or air in the lines.
DIY fix: check the water pressure with a hose-bibb pressure gauge. NH residential water pressure should be 40 to 80 PSI; above that, install a pressure reducing valve. Tighten any visibly loose pipe straps. To clear air, shut off the main water supply, open all faucets to drain the system, then close faucets and restore supply.
Call a plumber if: pressure is consistently above 80 PSI, banging continues with no obvious cause, or you hear a continuous high-pitched whine from inside walls.
When DIY ends and a plumber begins
The DIY fixes above work for clearly localized, contained issues. Call a plumber promptly if you see:
- Water in walls, ceilings, or under floors
- Sewage backing up into any fixture
- A leak you cannot stop
- Pipe damage from freezing
- Recurring problems that DIY fixes do not solve
- Anything involving the main water shut-off, the water heater's gas or flue, or the sewer line
Schedule plumbing service
For plumbing problems beyond DIY in southern New Hampshire, contact A.J. LeBlanc Heating. Our licensed plumbers handle the full range of residential plumbing across NH. Serving New Hampshire families since 1928.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chemical drain cleaner safe to use?
Generally no. Chemical drain cleaners are caustic, can damage older pipes (especially galvanized steel), are often ineffective on real clogs, and pose a burn risk. Mechanical clearing (plunger, auger, P-trap removal) is safer and more effective.
How do I know if my water pressure is too high?
A simple hose-bibb pressure gauge (under $15) gives you the answer. NH residential pressure should be 40 to 80 PSI. Pressure above 80 PSI stresses fixtures, hoses, and appliances; a pressure reducing valve solves it.
Why is my toilet running but not visibly leaking?
The flapper is letting tank water trickle into the bowl. Put a few drops of food coloring into the tank; if color appears in the bowl within 15 minutes, the flapper needs replacement.
What is the difference between a P-trap and a vent pipe?
The P-trap (U-shaped pipe under each drain) holds a small amount of water that blocks sewer gas from entering the home. The vent pipe (on the roof) lets sewer gas escape outside and equalizes pressure so traps do not get siphoned dry.
Should I shut off the main water supply if I leave town?
For trips longer than a few days, yes. Shutting off the main supply means even a burst hose at the washing machine cannot flood the home. Open a faucet briefly to verify the shut-off worked.