It's essential to be aware of the warning signs of plumbing problems and address them promptly with the help of a professional. Everyone knows that a dripping faucet is annoying, but it's easy to overlook a smelly drain or low water pressure as an insignificant issue. However, in my years in the plumbing business, I've seen too many homeowners ignore these issues only to discover that they were symptoms of a much bigger problem that could have been avoided. A slow flow or low water pressure can indicate an issue in the distribution.
If it only happens in one place, this is usually due to a problem with the faucet's aerator, which is usually easily fixed. But if the water pressure is low in multiple places in the house, that's a sign of a more serious problem. Low pressure can be an indication that something is blocking the pipes. If the water pressure in your home suddenly drops, call a plumber to find out what's going on with the pipes.
At some point, all sinks or showers are subject to slow drainage due to the accumulation of debris, such as hair or soap residue, but when pipes throughout the house are slow to drain, the main sewer line may be clogged. This is considered a plumbing emergency, so if you suspect a clogged sewer line, call a plumber right away to have a look at it. Brown spots on the ceiling are more than just unsightly; they can be a sign that there is a water leak just above. Before repairing the roof, be sure to find the source of the leak and repair it first.
If you notice a sudden, unexplained increase in your water bill, call a plumber to investigate for leaks. Whether caused by degraded materials or invasive tree roots, this silent damage to the outside of your plumbing system must be addressed quickly. When homeowners try to solve plumbing problems on their own, they often end up causing more damage than they were at first. Unless you can account for additional water use, an unusually high water bill is usually an obvious sign that there's a major leak in your piping system. In addition to worrying about having to do expensive and invasive work, they may also think that the problems they have don't really justify calling a plumber.
Possible causes include high water pressure or, in older homes, flooded air chambers in the plumbing system. As a homeowner, it's very important that you know how to tell if your pipes are in bad shape so you can address small problems before they get worse. To prevent these serious and costly problems from arising in the first place, it's very important that you call a plumbing professional as soon as you start having plumbing issues.
