Plumbing problems can cause serious damage to your home or office. If you don’t take care of them immediately, they can become expensive and time consuming to fix later.
Plumbing issues aren’t always obvious. They often go unnoticed until something breaks down or water starts flooding through the ceiling. When you ignore these signs, you risk having a costly repair bill at some point.
Plumbing problems can cost you hundreds of dollars to fix. The good news is that you can prevent many common plumbing problems before they happen. Keep reading to learn how to identify potential plumbing issues and how to stop leaks from happening in the future.
What are some common plumbing problems?
A slow drainage pipe
If you have an aging sump pump or if there is sediment buildup in your sump pit, it may not work properly. A clogged toilet or malfunctioning garbage disposal can also contribute to this problem.
Blocking drains
Your drains can get blocked by hair, grease or soap scum. To unclog your pipes, you may need to use a plunger, snake or another tool. Drain blockages can lead to backups in your sink or tub.
Leaks
Leaks can form because of damaged pipes, worn seals, cracked connections or faulty appliances like dishwashers, washing machines and air conditioners.
Slow running toilets
The most common reason for toilets to run slowly is that they won’t flush completely. This might be caused by a dirty trap seal or a broken flapper valve.
Water heater malfunctions
You should call on a professional plumber when your hot water system stops working or when the thermostat fails to regulate the temperature correctly.
Mould and mildew growth
This is usually due to a build-up of excess moisture behind the walls. You can easily check for mould with a black light. If you see any dark spots, then you know where to start looking for leaks.
Tear gas leaks
If you experience a burning smell near your kitchen sink or bathroom, it’s likely due to a tear gas leak. Call your local fire department right away. Tear gas can harm children and pets. It can also damage property as well as cause structural damage to your house.
Inflatable pool leaks
Leakage around pools can occur because of punctures, poor maintenance or bad installation. Inflatable pools require constant maintenance so make sure to ask your technician about their service record.
Frozen pipes
To avoid freezing, turn off all faucets while leaving the shower running. Also, keep your garage door open during cold weather and remove snow accumulation inside and outside the house.
Pipeline break
A pipeline break occurs when a section of a sewer line cracks. The leak can emit raw sewage into your yard or neighbourhood. It could also contaminate nearby drinking water supplies.
Hazardous wastewater spills
These include hazardous chemicals, radioactive material and toxic substances. Spills can occur because of burst pipelines, ruptured septic tanks or failed storage containers. Don’t try to clean up such messes yourself. Contact a professional plumber.
Sink overflow
When the sink overflows, it means that too much liquid has been added to the basin. This can be caused by a defective faucet, a plugged drain or a clogged filter.
Flooded basements
Basement flooding can be caused by a variety of factors including heavy rainstorms, overflowing sinks and toilets, broken down sewers and failing basement windows.
What are some things that could go wrong with your pipes and how will they affect your home?
Water pressure
It might seem like nothing but if you have low water pressure in your bathroom, you won’t feel comfortable taking showers. On top of that, you might not enjoy having to run the washing machine every time you need to flush the toilet.
Older homes
An old home may not have enough pressure to ensure that toilets work well and that sinks flow freely.
Your home appliances
If you notice a slow drip from your garbage disposal or dishwasher, this could indicate that something isn’t working properly.
Sewer overflows
Have you noticed an overflowing sewer line? Is there a problem with the drainage gutter? Has it caused flooding in your basement or crawlspace?
Backflow prevention device
This is a part of your sanitary piping system that prevents the backflow of contaminants (waste) from one fixture or appliance to another.
Bacteria
Although most people assume that their gutters collect rainwater, they actually catch runoff from roofing shingles, driveway edges, sidewalks and driveways.
Crawlspaces
Many houses are built with crawlspaces beneath them. A crawlspace is often used to store heating and cooling equipment. It’s usually accessed via a door at ground level.
The space is usually insulated and can trap moisture in colder climates, causing rot. In warmer areas, humidity levels can rise. When this happens, mould begins to grow.
Leaks
Leaky faucets, shower heads and tub spouts let water escape into the air. There are many reasons why small leaks develop. You should check out all of these possibilities when you suspect that a leak has occurred.
Poorly maintained drains
Drainpipes can crack or break due to age or excessive wear and tear. Even minor damage can cause serious water waste.
Inadequate ventilation
You should open windows around your house to allow fresh air to circulate through your home. This helps to prevent pests and odours from building up inside.
Frozen pipes
The cold temperatures outside can make your pipes freeze. Frozen pipes can burst at any time. If you see water running down your walls, floor or ceiling, you’ll want to contact a professional plumber right away.
Toilet overflow
Toilets are prone to clog because of debris such as hair and soap scum. An overflow indicates that a blockage is present.
Rusted pipes
Rusty pipes can be fixed by replacing them with new copper lines. However, it’s important to note that rusty pipes can lead to other problems.
Plumbing emergencies
The most common plumbing emergencies include:
They’re sudden and noisy. Most of the time, they occur when the pipe is weakened by corrosion or the internal lining wears away.
Benefits of Hiring a Plumber
When you hire a professional plumber, you get access to quality materials and tools. These professionals will also know how to use those tools correctly. They’ll also be able to diagnose issues quickly.
They’ll solve your plumbing problems efficiently.
A plumber will keep your property safe.
They’re skilled at handling plumbing emergencies.
They can fix your plumbing systems.
They’ve got insurance for your protection.
It’s always best to call a plumber if something goes wrong with your plumbing system. Many times, things go wrong without us noticing them. Contact a plumber immediately if you notice anything strange.
If you have a broken pipe, turn on both hot and cold water taps near where the pipe is located. Wait 30 seconds before turning on the tap again.
If you don’t hear water flowing, the pipe may be blocked. Turn off the main water valve and shut off the supply valves on each sink, bathtub, toilet and washing machine. Check the faucet for leaks. If you still don’t hear anything, then the problem lies somewhere else.
If the water continues to run after shutting off the supply valves, then the problem is likely in the main water line. Turn off the power to the entire house. Remove the meter box cover and look for signs of leaking gas. If you find any, turn off the gas supply and wait for an expert to come to repair the problem.
If the water stops completely, the problem could lie in the sewer line. Turn off the main valve and close the gate valve. Open the manhole lid and remove the manhole cover.
Look for a small hole in the concrete slab. If you see one, then you need to call a plumber.
If you see water dripping, then the problem is probably in the roof or basement. Call a plumber to assess the situation.
If you suspect that a pipe has been cracked, then call a plumber. You shouldn’t attempt to fix this yourself. It’s dangerous and you might cause further damage.
Emergency Plumbing Services
Emergency plumbers are available 24/7. Don’t wait for days for emergency situations. If it happens now, you want someone who will be able to help quickly and efficiently.
Your plumbing system operates 24 hours every day.
When you hire a trusted plumber, they’ll stay on-site throughout the job and provide continuous monitoring. This means that they’re ready to respond to emergencies as soon as they happen. They’ll also repair or replace equipment and fix small issues before they become big ones.
A trustworthy plumber will explain what he or she can do without charging extra for labour costs. They’ll discuss the best way to proceed so that the cost doesn’t go over budget.
When you’ve got a leaking pipe, call the experts immediately. Otherwise, you could end up wasting gallons of water, and even more money!
