Backed-up sinks. Discolored water. Leaks. These things may sound intimidating, but the truth is they’re common problems in many homes. In fact, plenty of them can be fixed with just a few painless steps.

With the proper tools and knowledge, you can save yourself time—and money—by tackling these issues yourself. Plus, knowing how to take care of common problems will help you realize when the issue is more complicated and best solved by a professional.

So, don't let a clogged drain or a leaky faucet get you down—with the right expertise, it's easy to successfully repair straightforward plumbing problems all by yourself. We’ll take a look at a few frequent plumbing dilemmas and how you can address them.

1. Why Is My Sink Making a Gurgling Sound?

If you’re noticing a gurgling sound emanating from your sink, it may be the result of of air or water trapped in the pipes. This can happen if there is a blockage in the pipes, or if a plumbing vent has become plugged or disconnected.

Fortunately, this situation is not too difficult to solve:

  • First, try using a plunger to eliminate any blockages that may be creating the gurgling noise.
  • If a plunger isn't effective, you can try using a drain snake to remove debris from the pipe. Last of all, if your plumbing vent is blocked or disconnected, make sure to reconnect it and inspect it for any other objects in the way.

If you’re still having difficulties, it may be best to call a seasoned plumber in Narvon. They can help diagnose the underlying cause of the issue and provide you with answers.

2. Why Is My Sink Clogged?

If a sink is just not draining, in most cases that’s due to something obstructing the drainpipe. However, it also can be an indicator of a much larger issue with your plumbing system.

Common reasons why the water in your sink won’t drain:

  • Blocked or clogged pipes: Gradually, hair, food scraps, grease, animal fats and other materials can accumulate in the pipes, creating a blockage that prevents the water from draining.
  • Broken seals: If the sink’s rubber seals are cracked or busted, they may not be creating an effective seal around the drain to keep out air and permit the water to drain.
  • Crud in the trap: The curved pipe under the sink, called a P-trap, can become blocked with debris or form leaks which restrict it from draining properly.
  • Blocked vent pipe: A clog in a vent pipe, which allows gas to leave your plumbing system, might prevent your sink from draining. Vents can be blocked by debris where they exit your residence.

To unblock a pipe, try using a plunger to force the obstruction through the line. If that doesn’t work, give some thought to using a plumbing snake to clear away hair or other debris and allow the water to flow through. Other techniques are to use baking soda and vinegar or a drain-cleaning product to break down the clog.

Depending on your plumbing setup, you may be able to search for a blockage in the P-trap, which is a bend in the pipe below your sink. This is achieved by dismantling the pipe and clearing the line. To do this, first shut the faucet off and put a bucket underneath the bend. Then, dismantle the pipe and extract any debris. Once it’s clear, put the pipe back together and rinse with hot water.

If trying to clear the line and P-trap doesn't clear the blockage, check where your drain vent exits your house to make sure it isn’t blocked by debris such as leaves, dirt or even a nest by an overly ambitious bird or another critter. If this also doesn’t work, you may have to get in touch with a skilled professional for plumbing repair in Narvon to make sure there isn’t a significant problem with your plumbing.

3. Why Is My Sink Water Cloudy/White?

Quite often, cloudy or white-looking water is due to air bubbles in the water. Normally, this is innocuous and can often clear up on its own. It might be the result of a water company doing work on the lin