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HOW TO RECOGNIZE PLUMBING PROBLEMS YOU CAN’T SEE

SEP 25, 2017

Not all plumbing issues are as obvious as a drain clog or a big leak. But left unchecked, subtle plumbing problems can turn into full-blown disasters. Here is a rundown of some less-than-obvious plumbing problems that, with a little bit of attention, can be caught before it is too late to avoid expensive repairs and other hassles.

LISTEN FOR TELLTALE SOUNDS OF PLUMBING PROBLEMS

One of the most common things that can tip off a homeowner to plumbing problems is weird noises from toilets or other plumbing fixtures or appliances. From water hammering to gurgling, the sounds coming from your toilet can mean a huge variety of things — seriously, we even wrote an entire article just on the topic of toilet noises and plumbing problems!

UNUSUALLY HIGH WATER BILL CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO PLUMBING PROBLEMS

Some fluctuation is to be expected for utilities like water. Maybe you had a lot of laundry to do that month or maybe you found yourself repeatedly filling a kiddie pool. But in general, you know roughly what your water bill should be in any given month. So if you find yourself opening a bill that has you raising your eyebrow, it may be that you have plumbing problems. The most common culprit is a running toilet (which can waste up to 200 gallons per day). The food coloring test is an easy way to check for a leaking or running toilet … put a few drops of food coloring in the tank, then check after an hour or two to see if the color shows up in the bowl.

Alternatively, a leaking faucet that you did not notice could possibly be the plumbing problem behind your high water bill. Remember that in addition to all of your faucets inside the house, you will want to check for a leaking spigot outside as well

If you are not able to find a fix a problem yourself, call a professional ASAP to detect the leak and save you the expense of having to fix some huge plumbing problems later (and any more outrageous water bills).

OBSERVE CHANGES IN WATER PRESSURE

There are multiple plumbing problems that can lead to observable changes in water pressure. If you notice a change in your water pressure, take note of it affects only one or two fixtures, or if there is a change in water pressure throughout your house. This can help you pinpoint the location of any related plumbing problems.

Before calling a plumber, you may want to try cleaning the offending faucet and its aerator in a solution of white vinegar and water to remove any hard water deposits or other debris.

If the change in water pressure is not isolated to certain fixture, check the main shut off valve at the water meter to see if it was closed even slightly. This can have a surprisingly big effect on water pressure and lead many people to think they have plumbing problems when, in fact, the solution is a simple twist of the valve.

Is the water pressure only different when hot water is running? If so, it is likely that you have a plumbing problem related to your hot water heater.

CHECK FOR THINGS GROWING

With the weather being so hot in the Phoenix area over the summer, many people do not notice some common indicators of plumbing problems that can be seen outside. For example, if you notice green grass or weeds growing in places it should not be, it could be a sign that there is a leak somewhere in your system. Similarly, mold and mildew can begin growing is an undetected leak happens inside of the house. Keep an eye out for anything growing where it shouldn’t be!

“WHAT’S THAT SMELL?”

Some plumbing problems can be smelled before they are seen. If you notice a smell coming from the drains in your bathroom or kitchen, it could be a dried out P-trap, or it could be a clog deep in the system that is just waiting to wreak havoc on your entire plumbing system. Either way, you will be glad after you have called a professional to have it taken care of and your house goes back to smelling normal.

Whether you are encountering some of the aforementioned signs of plumbing problems, or you just have a feeling in your gut that something is not quite right, call us and let us take a look. Our plumbing professionals are available 24 hours a day, every day of the week to conduct work that is fully guaranteed by us. And no repair services will be completed until after we have explained to you exactly what is happening, what the solution is and you have approved a quoted price.

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