Have you ever been worried about your toilet becoming clogged or your sewage backing up?
What about a leak from your air conditioner ?
Have you ever smelled something strange and wondered if you should call a plumber?
Plumbing problems are never fun, but they can become more severe if you don’t catch them quickly. There are signs that can help you identify if you need to call a plumber before plumbing issues in your home do serious damage.
Some of the signs to look out for are gurgling, low pressure, water running through pipes when not in use, strange odor, slow drainage, water back-up, inconsistent water temperatures, frozen pipes, and slow drips or leaks.
Here is a closer look at some of the signs you can search for in your home. Remember small inconveniences can lead to bigger problems.
1. Gurgling
If your toilet, shower, or other drains in your house begin to make a gurgling sound that likely means the drain is blocked. These blockages are typically from a build-up of things like hair, dirt, oil, toilet paper, or food.
If you believe one of your drains is blocked there are many products that you can find at your local grocery store to help eliminate the blockage.
Make sure to follow the directions closely and let it sit for the appropriate amount of time.
If the gurgling remains, reach out to a plumber for further help in diagnosing the problem.
To avoid having another blockage try to limit or completely eliminate putting things that cause blockages down your drains.
This includes grease, oil, food, large amounts of hair, and large amounts of toilet paper at one time.
2. Low Water Pressure
If your water pressure isn’t what it used to be there’s probably a larger problem somewhere in your plumbing.
One of the easiest solutions to check for is whether or not the head/spout needs to be cleaned. If this is the case, one way to fix it is by soaking the head/spout in vinegar to help remove the build-up.
However, the problem may be more serious, like a corroded pipe. If you think this may be the case you should contact a professional plumber.
3. Water Running Through Pipes When Not in Use
Water that is running through pipes when there is no water running in the house is a sign that you may have a leak.
A leak can be as simple as the flapper in the tank of your toilet not completely closing. But a leak can also be very serious.
If you think you have a leak look for wet spots on your floor, wall, or ceiling. If the spot is warm you could have a leak coming from your water heater.
Finding a wet spot is very serious. Contact a professional to locate the original source of the leak, and if possible turn off water to prevent further damage.
4. Strange Odor
The smell of sewage or rotten eggs is never an enjoyable experience, but it may be a warning sign that you have a sewage problem.
This could be a problem with a seal on your toilet. But it could also mean there is a problem with the sewage pipe underneath your home.
If this is the case, call a plumber immediately for leaks. It can be a fairly simple problem for the plumber to diagnose.
However, having a leak underneath your home can be a very serious problem since it can lead to many issues in the foundation of your home.
5. Slow Drainage
Slow drainage is do to a blockage in your drain similar to the mentioned blockages that cause gurgling (hair, food, grease, dirt, etc.).
The solution to a slow drainage problem is to also buy a product at your local grocery store that will help get rid of the blockage. Again, it is important to follow the directions closely.
If the slow drainage remains, call a plumber. It may need a more intense solution, or even be a more serious problem with your plumbing.
6. Water Back-up
Another thing to look out for is water backing up into your sink or maybe even your bathtub when you run your dishwasher, flush your toilet, or start your washer.
Water backing up can bring sewage and other unfortunate things with it. It may mean that your main sewage line is backed up.
If you think your main sewage line is backed up make sure to reach out to a professional plumber immediately! This problem will need to be tackled with professional grade equipment.
7. Inconsistent Water Temperatures
Not having a consistent water temperature can be incredibly frustrating. If your water temperature isn’t getting hot, or is fluctuating a lot there may be a problem with your water heater.
Go to where your water heater is located to check for a leak. If there isn’t a visible leak you may have a more complicated problem.
The heater may have a bad heating element, or if it’s a gas water heater, it could be a faulty igniter. If you are unable to diagnose what the problem is, call a professional to seek help.
8. Frozen Pipes
If you attempt to turn on your water and hear a strange noise, and no water is coming out, you probably have frozen pipes.
You can thaw a pipe by using a hair dryer or a heat gun. It is important to note that attempting to thaw a frozen pipe on your own can cause a crack in the pipe. It will lead to further problems in your plumbing.
The best solution to fixing a frozen pipe is to call a professional as soon as you notice the problem.
Here is Seattle we deal a a-lot with frozen pipes in the winter months.
9. Slow Drips and Leaks
Slow drips and leaks while not serious at first can go unnoticed leading to serious problems within your house.
Leaks can also lead to a larger water bill each month. If you notice that your water bill has gone up significantly you may have a leak.
Make sure to routinely check your faucets and pipes to look for small drips or leaks. Typically leaks are due to a seal being worn down over many years.
If you aren’t comfortable fixing a seal on your own, reach out to a professional for help. A simple fix to a seal could save you from the annoyance of a dripping faucet.
Overview
Plumbing problems range from simple to extremely complex. They can also cause serious damage to your home.
If you are unable to diagnose the problem, or need help fixing the problem, reach out to a professional for help.
Something complicated and frustrating for you may be an easy and quick fix for a professional restoration company. When it comes to plumbing problems it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Delaying calling a professional could end up costing you more in the long run. This can happen from a higher monthly bill, or because you didn’t spot a problem early on.
Call PureDry Restoration in the Seattle area
If you have additional plumbing questions, sewage back up, water damage, don’t hesitate to call a PureDry Restoration Technician in your area. Or, take a look at our other blogs to learn more quick tips about your home’s plumbing system!
PureDry Restoration has been servicing the Seattle area for over 18 years, including Snohomish, Woodinville, Everett, Bellevue, and many more listed below.
- Alderwood Manor WA
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and more!
We’re the experts in this industry, and especially in Seattle, and we cannot wait to meet you.