Sometimes, it’s quite obvious when you need the assistance of a professional plumber. Burst pipes sending water all throughout your kitchen? A toilet that won’t flush? A clogged up kitchen drain that you can’t clear with a sink plunger? These are all reasons to call a plumber.
But what about the more subtle plumbing issues? Some are quite sneaky—particularly when the problems start off small. The trick is to learn how to catch them early when they’re still small, so they are easier for a plumber to fix and won’t cause damage to your home in the meantime. Keep reading for some quieter signs you have a plumbing problem that needs professionals with extensive experience with plumbing in Hudson, IA.
Slow Drains throughout Your Home
A single slow drain is certainly an inconvenience, but you can usually take care of it with a sink plunger, right? As long as your answer isn’t to buy that chemical drain cleaner you can get at the store, that’s alright by us—these chemical “solutions” are actually no solution at all. They’re caustic and will eat away at your pipes.
We digress. If drains are slow all around your home, there’s a good chance you have an emergency down in the sewer line or blocked sewer vents—and these will both become serious problems if not dealt with by professional plumbers.
The Sound of Running Water When All the Plumbing Is Off
If you can hear water moving through the pipes in your home, and you’re sure that nobody has a tap open or is running an appliance, such as the dishwasher, it’s typically the warning sign of a leak.
How can you double-check this? Look at the water meter and take note of the reading. Don’t use any water in or around your home for an hour, and then recheck the meter. The reading should not have gone up, and if it did, it’s time to call a pro.
The Sound of Knocking from Your Pipes
This knocking sound is something known as water hammer, and it usually means that there is too much pressure inside the plumbing or valves have become loose. This can eventually lead to leakage, so it’s important that you have a plumber inspect the situation right away.
A Decline in Water Pressure
A drop in water pressure can mean there is something going on with the municipal water supply, but this is not often the case. In fact, if that were the case, you’d probably be warned about it beforehand and would know not to worry.
If you’ve ruled out city work, you probably have a problem with your water line, or you can have a major leak somewhere else throughout your plumbing. Be sure to get a pro to help right away.
A Steep Increase in Water Bills
Check your water bills each month so you have a good idea of the average number of gallons your household uses each month. If the cost of your bills starts to rise, take a look at the usage. Is it higher than normal? If you haven’t actually been using your water any more than usual, you could have hidden leaks.
At Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc., your comfort is our promise! To set up an appointment, give us a call at the number above, email customerservice@daltonphc.com or schedule an appointment online.