The most common bathroom plumbing problems include leaky faucets, running toilets, clogged shower or sink drains, and low water pressure. According to our skilled Berico Plumber, Adam Rhodes, “Most of these issues stem from internal component failure, such as a worn-out flapper causing a running toilet or mineral deposits inside a faucet aerator, which require immediate attention to prevent high water bills and structural water damage.”

Frequent Bathroom Plumbing Issues

It’s possible to run into a variety of plumbing problems in your bathroom, but those below tend to be the ones that come up again and again.

• Leaky Faucets: These can be annoying and will cause your water bill to quickly get out of control.
• Running Toilets: These also increase water bills and likely won’t resolve themselves until worn parts are replaced (or at least adjusted).
• Clogged Drains: Blockages in your sinks or shower can slow drainage and lead to frustrating backups.
• Low Water Pressure: This affects your ability to enjoy a cleansing shower or wash your hands effectively.

The Impact of Hidden Pipe Corrosion

While surface-level issues like clogs are obvious, many bathroom problems originate behind the walls. Older Greensboro homes often have galvanized or copper piping that can develop pinhole leaks over time due to internal corrosion. These “silent” pipe leaks can go unnoticed for months, leading to mold growth and compromised subflooring. A professional inspection can identify these thinning pipe walls before a catastrophic burst occurs.

Understanding Siphonage and Sewer Gas Odors

A less discussed but frequent problem is the presence of sewer odors in the bathroom. This is often caused by a “dry trap” or siphonage. Every drain has a P-trap designed to hold a small amount of water to block sewer gases. If the plumbing vents are clogged with debris or the home has been vacant, that water evaporates or gets sucked out. A Berico Plumber can verify that your venting system is clear to maintain the necessary atmospheric pressure within your drain lines.

High Water Pressure and Valve Failure

While low water pressure is a common complaint, excessively high water pressure is actually more damaging to bathroom fixtures. If your home’s pressure-reducing valve (PRV) fails, it can send water through your pipes at over 80 PSI. This puts extreme stress on toilet fill valves and faucet cartridges, leading to the “running” and “dripping” issues mentioned above. Maintaining a steady pressure between 45 and 60 PSI is the ideal range for extending the life of your plumbing system.

What Causes Plumbing Problems?

Without a doubt, wear and tear is the leading cause of bathroom plumbing issues. Over time, parts simply wear out and need to be replaced. Sometimes, it’s a small part like a washer or seal, while in other cases, major parts can reach the end of their useful lives.

Beyond wear and tear, you might have mineral buildup that prevents your fixtures from working correctly. This is particularly common for homes that have hard water, as that water contains excess minerals that are likely to clog drains and reduce water flow.

It’s also possible that improper installation can wind up causing problems later on. This is usually the case when a homeowner tries to do a DIY installation rather than turning the job over to a trained and experienced professional.

Take Some Preventive Steps

You don’t have to wait for problems to come up before you take action. As one step, it’s a good idea to simply check for leaks throughout your bathroom from time to time. Look for signs of water getting out of where it is supposed to be, such as under the pipes below your sinks. This kind of quick visual inspection will go a long way toward catching a problem before it becomes a major issue.

Also, consider using water softeners to avoid problems with mineral buildup over time. Water softeners are an easy and affordable way to address this problem proactively and greatly reduce the chances that mineral problems will lead to costly plumbing repairs down the road.

A Leader in Greensboro Plumbing

For anything from a clogged toilet repair to the installation of new pipes and beyond, Berico should be your first call when plumbing problems pop up. With a friendly and experienced team ready to jump into action, Berico is always ready to get the job done. Call today to schedule your first appointment.

 

Frequently Asked Questions: Bathroom Plumbing Problems

Why does my bathroom sink smell like rotten eggs?

A sulfur or “rotten egg” smell is usually caused by bacteria buildup in the p-trap or a blocked plumbing vent. If the vent is clogged, sewer gases are forced back up through the drain. Cleaning the sink’s overflow and pouring a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain can often resolve minor bacterial odors, but persistent smells may require a professional vent inspection.

What is the most common cause of a running toilet?

The most common cause of a running toilet is a worn-out flapper valve. Over time, the rubber flapper warps or becomes brittle, preventing a watertight seal at the bottom of the tank. This allows water to constantly leak into the bowl, triggering the fill valve to run continuously to refill the tank.

Why is my shower water pressure suddenly low?

Sudden low water pressure in a single showerhead is typically caused by mineral sediment or limescale clogging the aerator or the showerhead’s internal filter screen. In Greensboro homes with hard water, these deposits can restrict flow significantly. If the low pressure is affecting all fixtures in the bathroom, the issue may be a failing pressure-reducing valve (PRV) or a leak in the main supply line.

Can I use chemical drain cleaners for a bathroom clog?

It is generally recommended to avoid chemical drain cleaners, as they contain caustic acids that can damage PVC pipes and corrode older metal plumbing. For bathroom clogs involving hair and soap scum, a mechanical drain snake is a safer and more effective long-term solution that won’t compromise your pipe integrity.

How do I know if I have a hidden bathroom leak?

The most common signs of a hidden leak include unexplained increases in your water bill, musty odors, peeling wallpaper, or “spongy” spots on the flooring near the tub or toilet. You can also check your water meter; if the dial is moving while all faucets are turned off, you likely have a leak somewhere in your plumbing system.

 

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Adam Rhodes – Plumbing Pro
With 15 years in the plumbing field, Adam Rhodes is the guy you want on the job when something leaks, clogs, or just won’t cooperate. As a Berico plumber, he’s known for dependable work and a calm, neighborly approach. Off the clock, Adam loves spending time with family and friends and getting outdoors whenever he can. When he isn’t on a service call, you can usually find Adam swapping stories with teammates, mentoring newer techs.

 

There are certain problems that can come up in your home that will grab your attention right away. A buzzing light switch is one of them. After all, light switches are simple devices that should be completely silent. If one of yours is making a buzzing noise, that issue needs to be addressed right away.

 

For light switch repair or any other type of electrical, plumbing or HVAC work in the Greensboro area, the Berico team should be your first choice. Call today to schedule an appointment or ask any questions you may have.

 

Common Reasons for a Light Switch to Buzz

When a light switch is buzzing, you know that something is wrong. That’s not normal. However, there can be various reasons for the buzz, so it’s important to understand what the possibilities are and which one might be to blame in your case.

 

• Loose connection. If there is a loose connection inside the switch, meaning wires that are not properly secured, there can be arcing electricity or little vibrations that lead to a buzzing sound. This is a problem that is likely to get worse over time, as well.

 

• Wrong bulb with a dimmer. If you have replaced the older bulbs in your home with LEDs, you might have created this problem by accident. LED bulbs are not compatible with older dimmer switches, and if they are used, the electrical load can become unstable, and the switch might start to buzz.

 

• Worn-out switch. It could be the case that the light switch is simply worn out and needs to be replaced. All electrical components can degrade and fail over time, and light switches are no different. In this case, simply having the old light switch replaced with a new one should completely resolve the matter.

 

• Overloaded circuit. It’s also possible for the load being placed on the circuit to be the underlying issue. If too many devices or fixtures share the same electrical line, the switch may start to buzz as it struggles to meet the demand.

 

Take This Warning Sign Seriously

Any sound coming from a light switch should be taken as a warning sign that something is wrong, and a dangerous situation could exist. Even if the buzzing is rather faint, or even if it only happens from time to time, you certainly don’t want to ignore it. As with any electrical issue, there is the risk of creating a fire hazard if you let this problem go, so it’s an urgent matter to get in touch with an electrician and solve the problem.

 

Don’t Let This Problem Linger

A buzzing light switch is something that needs to be addressed right away. Of course, you won’t be able to call the electrical company to deal with this one, so you need a partner who specializes in electrical repairs, instead. That partner is Berico. Take a moment now to reach out, and you’ll be one step closer to leaving this issue behind you.

A propane regulator plays a critical role in how fuel moves from the tank into your home. When it starts to fail, the signs are often subtle at first. Pressure can fluctuate. Appliances may not perform the way they should. This guide explains how to recognize those warning signs and what steps to take if a regulator problem is suspected.

 

Working with propane tanks requires the right combination of training and experience, and both of those things are found at Berico. As leading propane suppliers in the region, you will always be in good hands when you call Berico for assistance.

 

Common Signs of a Failing Propane Regulator

The regulator is the device that is responsible for controlling the pressure of the propane flowing from the tank into your home. If it isn’t working correctly, you might have problems with your appliances functioning as they should. In more severe cases, you could be dealing with a serious safety issue.

 

Inconsistent flame performance on your gas appliances is a common warning sign of trouble with the regulator. For example, you might notice that the flame is burning much lower than normal, or much higher. Either way, the regulator can be to blame. Also, a flame that changes color and becomes more yellow than blue is a cause for concern.

 

One other thing to notice is any unusual noises that are coming from the regulator. If you hear a humming, buzzing, or whistling sound, those are indications that something isn’t working right. Turn off the gas supply to ensure safety and then consider the next steps.

 

What to Do Next

First, understand that this is not a DIY fix. Regulators are key safety components and should only be worked on by trained professionals. The right step here is to call for help from Berico so you can have a technician come out to your home and review the condition of the regulator. During the inspection, it will be determined if the issue is actually coming from the regulator, or if there is a problem somewhere else in the overall system. For example, it could be that one of your individual appliances has encountered a problem that led to the symptoms you were noticing, rather than it being caused by the regulator.

 

Moving forward, once this current issue is solved, it’s a good idea to stay on a regular schedule of maintenance to keep everything in working order. Routine maintenance will help catch small regulator issues before they become noticeable and start to cause problems or present a safety hazard.

 

Deal With Your Propane Problems Today

Do you need to have a repair completed on your propane tank? Or would you like to schedule propane delivery in High Point? Whatever is on your agenda, Berico is ready to take your call. Reach out now to learn more.

Lightning is one of the most dangerous events that Mother Nature can conjure up. While the odds of being hit by lightning are extremely low, it can do damage in other ways by starting fires and destroying equipment. Given all of the electrical equipment that is constantly working in your home, a direct lightning strike poses a significant threat.

 

So, will having whole house surge protection in place guard you against costly damage from lightning during a storm? That question will be addressed below. And, if you need to work with a Greensboro electrician for any reason, be sure to turn to the team at Berico for help.

 

What a Whole House Surge Protector Can, And Can’t, Do

Whole house surge protectors are an excellent safeguard against most forms of electrical surge. According to Berico’s Mark Onuffer, “It is known that in our area we have 14 to 16 power surges everyday in our homes.” These spikes can happen for a number of reasons, including random jumps in power coming from the electrical grid, or even large appliances cycling on and off. Dealing with these mild but frequent surges can stress your electronics and gradually wear them out over time. With a surge protector in place that serves your entire home, these ongoing threats will be mitigated.

 

Lighting is a different story, however. There is obviously a tremendous amount of energy contained in a single lightning strike, and that energy goes beyond what a standard surge protector is designed to handle. So, if a direct strike occurs, the lightning still has the potential to overwhelm the system and cause damage. With that said, not all lightning events are direct strikes, so your protector could help when a nearby strike sends some additional energy through your system.

 

Taking Other Measures During Storm Season

It’s a great idea to install a whole home surge protector for a number of reasons, including for at least some protection from lightning strikes. There are also other actions you can take during storm season, or in advance of a big storm arriving, that will reduce your chances of experiencing costly damage.

 

One simple thing you can do is unplug expensive appliances and other electronics when you know a major lightning storm is in the area. This might be a temporary inconvenience as you’ll have to live without those things for a short time, but they will be safe from a surge if they aren’t plugged into the grid at all. Also, before storm season, you could look into having a lightning rod added to your property. Lightning rods are designed to protect the structure by safely directing lightning energy into the ground, while whole-house surge protectors are designed to protect wiring and electronics from voltage spikes that travel through the electrical system.

 

Don’t Wait Any Longer

Hiring Berico for home surge protector installation is a choice that can benefit you far beyond the risk of a lightning strike. Home service expert Onuffer continues, “At Berico, we suggest a whole house surge protection, so that the power surges don’t do damage to your HVAC, well pumps, air purifiers, computers, televisions, etc.  Even with a whole house surge protector we would still recommend a surge protection strip for you in home electronics because they are very sensitive to power issues.” Having this safety feature in place will lend you great peace of mind and make it far less likely that anything in your house will be damaged by the grid. For more information, reach out today to chat with the friendly Berico team.

It’s not hard to make the case for adding a generator to your home. Generators are tremendously useful, especially in the Greensboro area, where powerful storms are a somewhat regular occurrence. With that said, it is important to make sure you pick out the right size generator to serve your needs. That’s exactly the topic this article will cover.

Whether you are ready to have a Generac installed or you just want to talk to someone about the generator installation process, Berico is the right place to start. Call now to learn more.

 

Understanding Your Home’s Power Requirements

Knowing how much power your home will need to use when the grid is down is the first step in this process. That is not the same as knowing how much power you typically use when the grid is working properly, however. You don’t need to run everything off your generator during an outage, as you can get by with just the essentials. In other words, you’d like to be able to continue using your refrigerator and heating and cooling equipment, but you can probably just let your laundry machines sit idle until the power comes back on.

For many homes, a 7kW to 12kW range generator will meet the basic needs and keep essential functions running. That would be potentially a few appliances like refrigerator, freezer, and or water heater. Of course, that’s just a general estimate and shouldn’t be taken as anything more than a guideline. If you want to run more equipment, with less interruption to your daily activities, or if you have a particularly large home, you might get up into the range of 18kW to 24 kW.

 

The Value of Professional Sizing

You certainly don’t want to simply guess at the necessary size for your new generator and then make a purchase. Instead, you want to work with a professional installer like Berico to make sure you nail it the first time. Unfortunately, too many homeowners proceed after very little research on the matter, and they wind up with a number of different problems as a result.

 

A generator that’s too small for your needs will naturally struggle to keep up with demand. This can cause it to trip off when too many appliances start up at once. While it might seem like just going with an oversized generator would be the way to go, that also comes with drawbacks. For instance, you’ll spend more to purchase and install it upfront, then it will use more fuel than is necessary while it is running. Only through professional sizing will you be able to hit the target just right and come away with a generator that is ideal for your needs.

 

Put Backup Power in Place

You can spend time looking at a home generator sizing guide to get an idea of what you might need, but there is no substitute for working with a professional. Simply call Berico now to schedule an appointment, and you’ll have a trained pro available to walk you through this whole process.