A toilet that will not flush, a slow shower drain, weak water pressure, a leaking pipe, and a loss of hot water are all plumbing problems, but they need different first steps. This guide helps PMI James River residents get to the right troubleshooting path quickly.
Start with what you can see or experience. If a safe first check does not resolve the problem, the issue returns, or you cannot proceed safely, submit a maintenance request with the details you observed.
Start With the Plumbing Problem You Have
- Toilet will not flush, is clogged, keeps running, overflows, or leaks: use Toilet Problems.
- One sink, tub, or shower drains slowly or is clogged: use Clogged Sink, Tub & Shower Drains.
- Several fixtures are backing up or sewage or dirty water is coming up through a drain: use Sewer Backup & Sewage Problems.
- Water is leaking from a pipe, fixture, supply connection, ceiling, or wall: use Water Leaks & Shutoffs.
- Water flow is weak or has stopped: use Low or No Water Pressure.
- There is no hot water, the water is only lukewarm, it is scalding, or the water heater is leaking: use Water Heater & Hot Water Problems.
- Your water use or bill unexpectedly increased and there is no obvious source: use High Water Bill / Hidden Leak Checks.
- Cold weather may have frozen a pipe: use our Frozen Pipes guide.
Stop Ordinary Troubleshooting When Safety Changes the Problem
Some symptoms need a different response instead of more plumbing checks.
- If sewage or dirty wastewater is entering the home, stop using plumbing and follow the sewer-backup guide.
- If water reaches or approaches an outlet, switch, light fixture, electrical panel, or other energized equipment, keep away from the affected area and use the appropriate electrical-safety route.
- If you smell gas near a water heater or other gas appliance, leave the home and follow our gas-smell safety guidance.
- If water is actively flowing and you cannot safely stop or contain it, use the emergency-maintenance routing on Resident Maintenance.
Water Near an Appliance Is Not Always an Appliance Problem
The symptom helps determine where to start. A dishwasher, refrigerator, or washing machine that will not operate normally belongs with the appropriate appliance guide. Water escaping from a household supply line or plumbing connection belongs with Water Leaks & Shutoffs.
Water entering during rain may also come from a roof, exterior opening, or another building component rather than the plumbing system. Report what you can see and when it occurs so we can route the problem correctly.
What to Include If You Submit a Maintenance Request
Tell us where the problem is, when it started, whether it is still happening, what other fixtures are affected, and what safe troubleshooting steps you already tried. Include clear photos or a short video when they help show the symptom.
If the problem remains after the appropriate safe checks, submit a maintenance request through your resident portal. For other household systems, return to the Rental Troubleshooting Library.
Published: September 2, 2026
