Your plumbing is essential for keeping your home running smoothly. If you notice any problems with your plumbing, it is important to call a plumber immediately.
Some plumbing problems can be fixed with DIY work, but others require a professional. Here are five signs it’s time to call a plumber:
Unpleasant Smells
From a stinky dishwasher to a mysterious shower drain smell, unpleasant odors are inconvenient. But sometimes, the odors can point to a serious problem, such as a leak.
Sewage, fecal matter, and rotting flesh are often considered some of the worst-smelling things. The bacteria breakdown of organic material causes these odors. The resulting gas is known as hydrogen sulfide and has a rotten-eggs odor. It is found in sewers where it can cause clogs from fat, sewage, and improperly flushed items.
Another extremely foul-smelling substance is natural gas. This odor is added to help homeowners detect a leak. If you smell this odor in your home, immediately evacuate and call the emergency number of your local utility company. They will send someone to check for a gas leak.
Slow Drains
A slow-draining sink can be caused by soap, hair, or food scum clogs. But it can also signify a bigger problem, like a sewer line blockage.
If you try the baking soda and vinegar method or a metal coat hanger and it doesn’t help, it’s time to call a plumber. Local plumbers can use special tools to break up and remove a clog safely without damaging the pipes.
A serious clog may be due to aging pipes, root growth into the sewer line, or a broken pipe. Often, the whole house will slow down when this happens. This is an urgent issue that requires professional attention. A plumber will know what to do and how to fix the problem quickly and efficiently.
Low Water Pressure
It could be a better sign when showering subsides to a trickle or washing machines take ages to fill. This low water pressure could be caused by a leak in the home’s plumbing line.
Often, homeowners notice low water pressure in just one or more of their household fixtures. If this is the case, a plumber can examine the home’s branch lines, determine where the issue lies, and fix it.
In addition, a plumber can help identify other issues with the home’s plumbing, such as a leak in the main line or a faulty pressure regulator. In these cases, the plumber will assess if the pipes can be cleaned or need to be replaced entirely. Ultimately, a plumber will address the root cause of the low water pressure and restore full functionality to the home’s plumbing.
High Water Bills
It could be due to a leak if you’ve noticed mold or mildew in your home, bubbled or peeling paint, or dripping sounds. Leaky pipes can cost you in many ways, including high water bills. It would help if you worked with a plumbing contractor to fix and install your leaks properly.
However, there are also other reasons your water bill may have spiked. The previous month had five weekends instead of four, meaning more people were using the toilets and sinks in the house. Also, if you’ve recently moved to a new house, the plumbing system needs to be evaluated and may require a replacement of a part that increases consumption. Having a plumber assess your plumbing can help save you money on your monthly water costs.
No Water
There’s nothing more terrifying than coming home from work to find an inch of water in your house. That’s a sign that it’s time to call your plumber to avoid major water damage. Water can damage carpet, ruin furniture, and cause structural problems. It’s also important to note that frozen pipes, major leaks, backups, and issues with your water main can cause a consistent lack of water.
If you need to know where the problem is, try walking around your house and turning on all the water-using fixtures to see if any are affected. You may also have to go outside and check your hose to ensure that water is getting delivered to your home. If it’s not, then the issue is likely somewhere else.