Should you hire a professional plumbing service? Or could you perform the repairs on your own? These are legitimate questions and you want to learn more about your options. However, there are myriad things that can go wrong with your plumbing. In some cases, you will need to hire a professional plumbing service because the problem will be too complex for you to undergo a DIY repair project. Before you make any decisions, you should learn more about what can and will go wrong with your plumbing system.
Here are some of the issues that will require professional repair services:
1. Clogged Drains
Is the water slow to drain down your sinks and toilets? Slow draining is usually indicative of clogged pipes that are attached to your faucets and toilets throughout your home. There are many different things that can create obstructions and buildups in your drainage systems, such as food particles, hair, and other gunk. There are also several products that are available to you that can remove clogs and keep your drain clean. However, many of these commercial cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can end up damaging your pipes if you are not careful. Professional plumbers will know how to locate any clogs in your drain and then effectively remove them.
2. Leaky Pipes
When properly installed, the pipes in your plumbing system shouldn’t leak for many years to come. However, your pipes will eventually erode and you will need to replace them. Signs of a leaky pipe are also fairly noticeable. A prime example would be when standing water forms in your basement. This usually indicates that the leak is occurring somewhere behind a wall and the water is seeping into your basement. Sometimes it can difficult to determine the location of a leak because it is not occurring in an obvious location.
There are several tell-tale signs of a leak that you should look out for at all times. They include:
- A dramatic increase in your monthly water bills
- Mold and mildew growing and spreading through your bathroom walls and ceiling
- You notice that your water meter seems to be running at all times
- Unpleasant smells emanating from your bathrooms and basement
- Cracks and other physical defects in your home’s foundation
If you suspect that you have a leaky pipe somewhere in your home, then we recommend that you have a professional plumber come to your home and take a look. They can determine where the leak is occurring and fix it accordingly.
3. Leaky Faucets
Leaky faucets are perhaps the most common plumbing problem that you will encounter. If you own a home for long enough, you will eventually discover that your faucets are going to leak at some point. You should always make an effort to repair a leaky faucet right away because you could end up wasting a lot of water. Think about in terms of the numbers: a faucet that leaks a droplet of water every second means that you are wasting roughly 3,000 gallons of water in a single year.
Many people assume that leaky faucets are a simple fix, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. That is because there are several things that cause a faulty faucet in the first place, including a weakened O-ring (toric joint), a bad valve, or an old cartridge. In many cases, you are going to have to fix a specific component of your faucet to stop the leaking. You may also need to replace the faucet altogether if there is no way that you can repair the leak.
4. Burst Pipes
A burst pipe is something that many of us dread happening someday. Although this is an issue that is more common in regions that experience frigid temperatures during the winter months, your pipes are always at risk of bursting. This is something you should avoid if you can because a burst pipe can cause massive amounts of water damage, which will cost a lot of money to repair. You should hire a professional plumbing service to perform regular inspections to avoid any major calamities.
5. Pipe Replacement
No matter how much effort you putting into repairing and maintaining your home plumbing system, you will eventually need to replace the pipes. You should also know that different piping materials will last for varying amounts of time. Here is a breakdown of how much usage you can get out of the different types of piping:
- Galvanized Steel: 20-50 years
- Copper Supply Lines: 50 years
- Bass Supply Lines: 40-70 years
- Cast Iron Drain Lines: 75-100 years
Remember, you should have a professional plumbing service perform replacements because they can get everything done without making a huge mess.
6. Leaky Water Heaters
Are you noticing pools of water taking form around your water heater? This can sometimes indicate that your water heater is on its last leg. However, this could also mean that you will need to repair a certain component of your water heater. For example, there is a lot of pressure built up inside the storage tank, which can cause the relief valve to stay open and leak water out onto the ground. A professional plumber will know if you should repair your water heater or outright replace it. Either way, you should repair the issue immediately to prevent any water damage to your home.
7. Sump Pump Failure
What is a sump pump? It’s the device that is responsible for preventing water from collecting in your basement. Sump pumps prevent flooding and limit water damage to your home. To ensure that the device is functioning optimally at all times, you will need to perform regular repairs and maintenance. Most homeowners don’t have the faintest idea about how to care for their sump pump. If you feel that you fall into this category, then you should hire a professional plumbing service to carry out the necessary repairs and maintenance to keep it running.
8. Low Water Pressure
You go to turn on your faucet to wash your hands and you immediately notice that there is minimal water pressure. This usually has something to do with your water supply. Any failures or malfunctions in your water main will diminish your water pressure, which the city government will repair. However, low water pressure can also be attributable to your home plumbing system. Here are some of the common causes:
- Your water meter valve is closed
- Your water shut-off valve is closed
- You have a blockage somewhere in your plumbing system
9. Hard Water
What is hard water? It is when a higher concentration of minerals makes its way into your water supply. This includes calcium and magnesium carbonates. Hard water is unsafe for drinking, bathing, and cooking in large amounts. It will leave behind stains on your tableware, dry out your skin and hair, and damage your entire plumbing system and water-using appliances (e.g., dishwashers, coffee makers). Once the damage takes place, you will need to hire a professional to repair and rehabilitate your plumbing system. You will also need to install a water softening system that will convert magnesium and calcium ions into sodium ions. This will make your water much safer to drink.
10. Sewer Line Backups
is a clog or some sort of obstruction taking form in your sewer line, then sewage will make its way into your home. Wastewater contains a lot of bacteria and germs, which poses a major health risk for you and your family once it enters your home. Backups can also cause extensive damage to your home if you wait too long to fix anything. When you first notice that your systems are backed up, contact a professional plumbing service immediately. Sewage has no business being in your home – but a licensed plumber can help remedy the problem quickly and efficiently.
11. Refrigerator Water Lines
You just bought a new refrigerator and you are excited to install it. It has an ice and water dispenser that you want to make use of immediately. You go to hook up your water line to your new refrigerator so that everything is good to go. However, you are encountering a lot of obstacles during the process and you realize that you are in over your head. This is when you should call a professional plumbing service to provide you with assistance. They can implement the new water line and hook it up to your refrigerator so that everything is up and running exactly the way you want it to be.
Have any questions regarding professional plumbing services? Call us today and one of our qualified technicians can provide you with some helpful tips on how to take care of your plumbing system. If you are dealing with any of the issues mentioned above, then you should contact a professional plumber and have them check everything out.