When to Call a Plumber: The Warning Signs
Plumbing is one of those household components that you may not think about until an obvious problem comes up. When the issue seems to be a minor one, you have the tendency to try to fix it yourself. After all, unclogging a kitchen sink seems easy enough and an occasional toilet clog sounds manageable, right?
But what happens when the plumbing concern isn’t minor enough to remedy it yourself? Ignoring the signs of an impending disaster could only result to potentially expensive plumbing jobs and secondary household damages.
And that is something that you would want to avoid at all cost. To get started, keep an eye on these telltale signs that could indicate a plumbing issue. Being mindful about these signs can help you save your home and your family from the inconveniences caused by water-related damages.
Standing Water
Water that settles in unwanted areas within your home can be a sign of a major plumbing issue. If you notice pooling water around the base of your toilet, it could mean that there’s something wrong with the installation.
If there’s standing water underneath your water heater, it could signal corrosion or leak. Regardless of where you notice it, standing water is always an indication of a plumbing problem that needs to be taken care of right away.
Sudden Spike in Your Water Bill
A sudden and unexplained increase in your water bill could signal a major problem such as internal leaks in the plumbing system, unintended water running somewhere, leakage and fast drips from fixtures that go unnoticed.
Don’t waste your time doing the investigation or trying to figure out where the problem is coming from. Calling a plumber immediately can minimize the costs and damages and can help you identify the problem more accurately.
Discolored Water and Odd Smells
Water that comes out of your faucet should be clear, clean and odorless. If it is cloudy and smelly, it means that the water is unsafe and that there is something seriously wrong with your plumbing system.
Brown discoloration could indicate a high concentration of iron in your water supply or extreme contamination; while green discoloration may signal copper corrosion. More devastating than this is smelly odor which indicates sewage seeping into your water supply.
The safety of your entire household depends on the quality of water within your home. Therefore, if you notice any discoloration and smelly odor, call a plumber right away.
Busted Pipe
Busted pipes or burst pipes are the most common water emergencies at home and they definitely require an immediate action. Depending on the location of the burst pipe, you could be looking at a major disaster with water pouring into your home fast and damaging your possessions. Don’t attempt to repair it yourself and don’t waste time.
Instead, look for a quick temporary remedy to minimize the damages (like turning off the main water supply) and then call a plumber right away. Try to clear the flooded area while the plumber fixes the problem and its root cause.
Overflowing Toilet
What could be a nastier mess within your home than a toilet that overflows? The mechanism of a toilet is quite complicated and it takes an expert plumber to fix it effectively and safely.
The problem may be as minor as a blocked drain; however, there could be other serious causes. By calling a professional plumber who can diagnose and fix the issue, you can prevent major damages from happening and protect your home from contaminants and bacteria.
Sound of Running Water
If you can hear the sound of water in your home but you’re sure that none of your faucets is running, call the plumber right away.
This is a sign that there’s a leak somewhere or something is wrong with your drains. You can check if there’s water leaking somewhere by checking the meter and monitoring the reading ever hour.
If you observe changes while all your faucets are turned off, you need a plumber to perform leak detection. Such a problem can be expensive to fix if ignored for a long time and can affect the structural integrity of your home before you even know it.
Presence of Molds
Molds thrive in damp areas where there’s unwanted water retention or moisture build up. The presence of molds indicates water damage which is why it’s important to locate the damaged area right away to stop the water from leaking and settling in.
Molds are health hazards which can cause severe forms of allergies and irritation which is why they should not be ignored. It is important to get rid of them by eliminating the source. Calling a plumber can help you identify the source of water retention and fix the root cause of the problem accurately.
Old and Rusty Pipes
Old homes built before 1975 as well as houses that had been around for years may still have cast iron pipes. These pipes have a lifespan and may need to be replaced if they already look old, weak and rusty. Don’t ignore old and rusty pipes that call for immediate replacement.
Aside from water contamination, they are vulnerable to bursting. It’s best to call a plumber for suitable recommendations and lasting solutions even before this happens.
Weak Water Pressure
Weak water pressure is a sign that your plumbing system needs repair or maintenance. This is quite common among older homes and may be caused by various reasons such as a leaking or broken pipe, damaged water regulator, corrosion or clogs.
A plumber can accurately identify the causes for the low water pressure and can perform the necessary procedures to fix the issue.
Dripping Faucets
Dripping faucets are one of the most commonly ignored plumbing issues at home since they don’t usually interfere with daily life. However, ignoring them can cause a much bigger problem in the long run and not to mention, the amount of water that is wasted over time.
High water pressure can actually cause faucets to drip even when they are closed. If the water pressure gets too high, it could result to damages to your plumbing system.
Low water pressure can also cause drips. In some cases, dripping faucets may also be due to problem with the valve for that fixture. It may need replacement to form a tight seal thereby resolving the continuous drips.
Conclusion
Prevention is always better than cure as the proverbial saying goes. The same applies in plumbing. It is always best to pay close attention to the signs that indicate a problem and to address them right away by calling a plumber even before the damage sets in.
By doing so, you can save a significant amount of money and prevent a whole lot of inconveniences from happening within your household.