Should I Call A Plumber?
As a homeowner, there’s always a project in progress. Kitchen remodels, flooring, or landscaping projects—it’s never-ending. There are a few things in this world that you should not do yourself. Some things like roofing, electrical, plumbing, and foundation work are examples. If you’ve got a plumbing issue, you may wonder, “should I call a plumber?”
We’ve all got a little DIY-er inside of us. Who doesn’t love to save some money every now and then? We all do! Soon enough, though, you’ll run into problems that are bigger than you.
This all begs the question: when do you need to call a plumber? We’ve got five signs and problems that mean you should consider picking up the phone for a little help.
1.) You don’t have running water
Let’s be honest. It doesn’t get much worse than this. First, call your neighbors to make sure you’re the only house experiencing this. It may be that the city shut off the water supply for some reason. If that’s the case, you can call your local public utility authority to find out what’s happening.
If your home doesn’t have any running water, give the pipeman a call. A total loss of water flow may be a major warning sign that something is very wrong. Get ahead of the problem before catastrophe hits.
There are many problems this loss of flow is indicating.
- Frozen pipes are a common cause of total water loss and need repair as soon as possible.
- Pressure issues are also a major cause of water loss. If you’re not getting water upstairs, the water pressure could be the issue.
- Major leaks lead to water loss, of course, but these leaks are often out of sight under the home.
The EPA reports that the typical household leak in the US can account for almost 10,000 gallons of water waste. Also, 10% of all homes in the US have leaks that waste at least 90 gallons of water a day. Don’t be one of these statistics.
2.) A Sweaty Water Heater
Water heaters with heavy condensation or sweat are usually a sign of a slow leak. Usually, an issue is not caught until you happen to be near the heater, so check the ground often.
This kind of leak is often from cracked piping, but they are many times a sign of a significant issue. Although, if you fix an issue like this before it becomes a severe problem, you will save time and money.
Here are some more warning signs that you need to service your heater:
- Rust on the water heater near supply or outlet lines
- Corrosion anywhere on the heater
- Pooling inside the drip pan or on the ground
If you happen to notice any of these warning signs, please call a plumber before it’s too late. If you wait too long, you may face the price of replacing the heater altogether.
A simple water heater inspection will allow the plumber to find the source of the problem. This saves both of you time and money.
3.) Clogged Drains
Oh, come on! You can unclog a drain, can’t you? Well, sometimes, a plunger and a bottle of Draino won’t cut it. This common issue is often solved with a bit of preventative measure. Sometimes, there’s no stopping it because there is a deeper issue.
If a clog always comes back after plunging or drain cleaner applications, you need to call a plumber. We use tools that you may not know about or can access. For example, we have specialized cameras, snakes, and other devices. Tools like the camera allow us to find out exactly what we’re dealing with and what you need.
If you put a clog off, this can back up the system further and cause more costly issues to arise. Get ahead of the problem and call a professional plumber soon.
4.) The House Smells
This is a big one. If your home smells of sewage, you may have a serious septic or sewer issue.
The source of a smell may be a clog or backup in piping that doesn’t have proper ventilation. Also, if a clog is far away from where you are able to plunge it, the blockage can decay more and cause more smell.
Walk around your home and see where the smell originates and permeates. If it is outside, it is very likely to be a sewer or septic issue and you should call a plumber soon.
The Verdict
There are a plethora of issues your plumbing system will face in its lifetime, so don’t worry too much. These are the worst ones that you cannot handle yourself with ease.
Call Autry Plumbing today if you’re experiencing any of these issues.
Recent Comments