Having efficient plumbing is something many of us take for granted – until something bad happens, that is!
The good news is that many common plumbing issues have warning signs that make them easy to spot and fix before they become more serious, and potentially very expensive. To help you recognize these frequently encountered problems, here’s what you need to look out for around the house, so you’ll know when to call a plumber.
A Dripping Faucet
If one of your faucets is leaking, you may just think of it as an annoying sound in the background. But a dripping tap can actually be much more problematic; for one thing, it could be wasting gallons of water every single day, which will increase your water bill.
Also, a leaking faucet can damage the area around it, causing the metal to rust and wood to rot, which could mean expensive repairs. As a result, it’s probably best to get your faucet fixed, or perhaps even replaced if necessary.
Low Water Pressure
Suddenly experiencing low water pressure can be another serious source of irritation – especially if you’re in the shower at the time! A number of factors can cause a sudden drop in pressure, from running too many water-using appliances at once – such as the washing machine and dishwasher – to a half-open water valve, or perhaps even a damaged pipe. Try and isolate the source of the problem by trying out different faucets and your showerheads to see if they all have low pressure or if it’s confined to just one spot.
Once you have a better understanding of the cause, then you can decide how to fix it. Perhaps it’s something you can sort out yourself, like the valve, but maybe you’ll need to call for help. Experienced professionals such as A1 Service Plumbing are knowledgeable plumbers in Apopka, FL, offering reliable assistance at any time of day or night to restore your plumbing to its former health.
Leaking Pipes
If you know or suspect that a pipe in your home may be leaking, then it’s important to call a plumber as soon as possible. Leaking pipes can not only waste significant quantities of water – bumping up your bill considerably – but they can also cause all kinds of expensive and possibly even hazardous damage to your home.
But how do you tell if a pipe is leaking if you can’t actually see a leak with your own eyes? Some common warning signs include a sudden unexplained increase in your water bill, damp patches appearing on walls and ceiling, unusual sounds coming from your pipework, and the development of mildew or mold.
A Constantly Running Toilet
Have you flushed your toilet, and now it just won’t stop running? Besides being a noisy annoyance, running toilets are a common and frustrating plumbing problem because they waste a lot of water.
Of course, sometimes all you need to do to fix the problem is fiddle with the handle, so it pops back up. However, if this doesn’t stop it, then you may need to call in a plumber to check your toilet’s inner workings and see if something has been damaged. You may need to replace a mechanism or maybe even swap the entire cistern for a shiny new one.
Overview
Problematic plumbing is the bane of many a homeowner’s life. In most cases, any problem you have will hopefully not be very serious – but it’s still a good idea to educate yourself on the warning signs; and, when in doubt, don’t hesitate to call in the professionals to check things out!