Leaks, clogs, drains and water problems—what to try and when to stop.
If shower pressure is weak but other faucets flow normally, the problem is usually local: mineral buildup in the showerhead, a kinked hose, a mixing cartridge that is not opening fully or a worn tub diverter. If every fixture is weak, test whole-house pressure and investigate the main supply, leaks or pressure regulator before replacing the showerhead.
If you have no hot water, test several fixtures first. If only one fails, its cartridge or mixing valve may be the problem. If the whole house is cold, confirm the water heater has power or fuel, is in the correct operating mode and is not displaying an error code. If you smell gas, do not try to relight anything; leave the area and contact the gas utility or emergency service.
The most common clue of hard water is mineral scale: white deposits on faucets, shower glass, kettles or heating surfaces, along with spotted glassware and reduced soap lather. Those clues do not measure hardness, though. The reliable way to confirm it is to check your water utility report or test hardness specifically, which mainly reflects dissolved calcium and magnesium.
If your toilet keeps running after the tank fills, look inside the tank. If water is leaking into the bowl, the flush seal may not be closing or the chain may be holding it open. If water rises into the overflow tube, check the float and fill valve. A simple food-coloring test can confirm a quiet tank-to-bowl leak.
To unclog a sink, start by removing visible debris and checking the stopper or strainer. Next try a sink plunger and, if the design allows, clean the P-trap. Bathroom clogs are often hair and soap; kitchen clogs are more often grease and food residue. Never mix chemical drain cleaners, and do not open a trap that may still contain a corrosive product.
To unclog a kitchen sink, stop using it, remove standing water and determine whether the restriction is in the garbage disposal, P-trap or farther down the line. Start with mechanical methods such as a plunger, an accessible trap cleanout or a hand snake. Never mix chemical drain cleaners or work inside a powered disposal.
To unclog a shower drain, start by removing the strainer or stopper if it is designed to come off and pull out visible hair and debris. Then try a plunger or a small manual drain snake that is appropriate for the drain. Never mix chemical drain cleaners. If several fixtures are slow at the same time, the blockage may be deeper in the plumbing system.
If the water is rising, do not flush again. Let the level drop, use a flange-style toilet plunger with a good seal, and move to a toilet auger if plunging fails. If other drains are also slow or the clog keeps returning, call a plumber.
