When living in a high-rise building, you face some unique plumbing problems. The pipes that go to your toilet, shower, sink, and other fixtures are often hidden from view.

And since the plumbing of these buildings is often older and not as up-to-date, you may have to deal with some kinks that need to be worked out.

While almost every apartment has its own set of plumbing issues, there are some common ones that most people living in high-rises will experience at least once. Here are some of the most common plumbing problems in high-rise apartments:

 

Kitchen flooding and Ceiling Damage

Kitchen flooding happens when a shower, tub, or bathroom fixture gets too much rainwater that backs up into the kitchen or living room.

A flooded kitchen is not only messy but dangerous. If the water is high enough on the floor to reach the kitchen cabinets, it can get into your food. This can lead to food poisoning and a compromised immune system, making you more likely to get sick.

To avoid a flooded kitchen in your high-rise:

• Ensure your toilet and sinks are connected to a sewer line rather than a house or apartment main. This will help prevent water from getting into your kitchen or living room.
• Keep valve pivots shut and water pressure low in showers and tubs. This will help to prevent water from getting into your kitchen or living room,
• Have a plumber install a water detector. This device is designed to detect dangerous levels of water in the building. You can call ARS.com to have professional plumbers look at your pipes and correct any defects.

 

Leaking Water Heater Tanks

Leaking water heater tanks occur on high-rises and even in smaller buildings. In high-rises, they can be almost impossible to detect. Because the tanks often aren't visible, they can be challenging to diagnose and repair. If you ever notice something queer with your water heater, call your plumber as soon as possible.

To avoid a water heater tank leak in your high-rise:

Check your water heater occasionally and ensure there is a cap in place and the tank is securely in place. If the leak is in the line that goes to your water heater, have it checked out.

If the leak is in the building itself, the easiest thing would be to repair the leak and then re-pump the water. While this will cost money and take time, it's the least that can be done.

If none of these remedies work, poor maintenance is the most likely cause of a leaky water heater. If the leak is due to poor maintenance, call the plumber to look at the line that goes to your water heater.

 

Frequently Clogged Drains

Clogged toilets are the most common causes of delayed gratification in high-rises. Several things can cause this, but the most common cause is a build-up of hair or leaves in the toilet bowl. While this could be caused by anything, it's more likely to result from poor plumbing.

To fix a clogged toilet in your high-rise: Use a wire brush to remove any excess dirt and hair from the inside of the bowl. Use a toilet plunger if your toilet is on the bottom floor. This is the easiest and most effective way to remove blockages in these toilets.

If this fails, or if the blockage is too big for a plunger to overcome, the next best thing would be to open the taps and flush a few times. This should help to push the hair and leaves down the drain.

 

Wasteful Appliances

A malfunctioning kitchen or bathroom appliance is one of the most common reasons for a repairman to come to your building. Although most home appliances work fine when they're working properly, they sometimes get out of sync. In these instances, your plumbing system can become overwhelmed and fail.

To avoid a wasted repairman's bill in your high-rise: Don't use an ice maker or water dispenser in the kitchen. These tend to overwater and damage small appliances.

Keep a bottle of drain cleaner on hand to use on your garbage disposer. This should be the first thing to go when a plumbing problem is detected.

Plumbing problems are among the most common issues homeowners and apartment dwellers experience. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways you can tackle these problems.

From checking your water bills to learning how to identify and solve plumbing issues yourself, you're sure to be able to tackle most plumbing problems in your high-rise building.