How to Diagnose Plumbing Problems
Are you certain that your house has an unaddressed plumbing issue but just can’t seem to figure out what it is? This happens all the time, and you’re not crazy — plumbing issues can be hard to pin down! Homeowners generally have a good intuition about changes in their house and can sense when something’s not right, even if they’re not sure what’s wrong. When diagnosing a plumbing problem, it can be helpful to treat it like you would a health issue; pay attention to new symptoms you notice, and you’ll be headed in the right direction.
Figure Out What Wrong With Your Plumbing
If you’ve kept track of the symptoms and still can’t get to the bottom of your plumbing issue, it’s time to call a trusted Highland Village plumbing service to help diagnose the problem. A Village plumbing specialist from Plumbing and HVAC can find the source of the problem and address it appropriately. Keep reading to learn the common symptoms and warning signs of plumbing issues and how to address them. Struggling to diagnose your home’s plumbing problem? It may be time to partner up with a plumbing pro from Strittmatter. We’ll help you find the root cause of the problem and address it before it gets bigger. Give us a call at 940-246-2075 today.
Low Water Pressure
Has your home’s water pressure gotten worse? Low water pressure can be a frustrating issue, especially when you’re trying to enjoy a hot shower or quickly wash your hands. However, consistently low water pressure can also indicate a bigger problem. Low water pressure can be caused by any of the following plumbing issues:
- A clogged fixture (like a toilet, showerhead or faucet)
- A clogged drain
- A blocked or damaged pipe (from corrosion or a tree root)
- A leaking hot water heater
- A burst pipe
Out of these potential issues, a burst or leaking pipe is the most serious, as it can cause major water damage and dangerous indoor mold growth. If you suspect you have a burst or leaking pipe somewhere, you need to call a leak repair specialist right away. Although a clogged fixture is a relatively simple fix that you may be able to accomplish on your own, things get more complicated when the issue involves clogs or blockages further down in the drain pipe. In this scenario, your best bet is to call a Highland Village plumbing service to do a pipe inspection.
Slow-Draining Fixtures
Like low water pressure, slow draining fixtures can also indicate a clog, leak or break somewhere down the line. If you find your toilet or tub is clogged, try clearing the clog with a plunger or a vinegar and baking soda solution. If you’re experienced with a drain snake, you can also try that. However, it’s important not to jam anything down the drain that could potentially damage or break the pipe. If you can’t clear the clog, it’s time to call a professional drain cleaning service.
Strange Sounds
If you’ve been noticing strange noises like knocking sounds in your plumbing system, you could be looking at a water pressure issue or loose support straps.High water pressure can cause pipes to abruptly jerk and bump into each other, which can eventually cause them to break or bend. Hissing sounds can also indicate that the water pressure is too high. In addition to knocking and hissing sounds, many other noises can signal a plumbing issue. Tapping noises after flushing the toilet or draining water may mean you have loose pipes; gurgling noises may be caused by a blocked vent pipe; and a whooshing sound in the shower could suggest a mineral build-up. Whenever your plumbing system starts making new noises, it’s a good idea to call a professional plumber.
Higher Water Bills
If you opened a water bill recently that made your jaw drop, that’s not a good sign. In the absence of a sudden lifestyle change (like hosting 10 relatives over the holidays or filling the pool), you’ve probably got a leak somewhere. Unfortunately, some water leaks are insidious and can run for a long time before they’re found. The upside to paying a high water bill is that it alerted you to the fact that something was wrong. Whenever you suspect a leak, it’s critical that you call a plumber. Failing to address a leak can pose a number of dangers, including the following:
- Mold and mildew issues. Mold and mildew can start to grow as soon as24-48 hoursafter water damage occurs. Once it grows, it’s very difficult and expensive to eliminate.
- Health issues. Mold spores can cause allergic reactions, skin irritations, nose and throat inflammation, asthma attacks and more.
- Water contamination. If the leak is coming from a burst pipe that carries clean water to your house, your drinking water is at risk for water contamination.
- Structural damage. A serious water leak can cause structural damage to rafters, wall framing and ceiling joists.
- Fire hazard. When leaks reach electrical wiring, they can cause electrical fires and other damage.
- Financial damage. In addition to higher utility costs, unaddressed leaks can cause significant damage to your home, the repairs for which can devastate your budget.
Murky, Colored Water
Water discoloration is a pretty distinct sign of a problem, and most homeowners don’t hesitate to enlist professional help. Foul smelling or discolored water could indicate rusty or oxidized pipes or a build-up of air, sulfur or iron in your plumbing system. Whenever your tap water is anything but clear, don’t drink it. Call a Highland Village plumbing service to assess the situation.
Highland Village Plumbing Service
Even if you conduct a rigorous exploration, you still may not be able to diagnose the problem on your own. And unless you’re a professional plumber, you shouldn’t have to. Plumbing systems are an intricate network of pipes, fixtures and other components, and they’re easy to damage. That’s why the best thing you can do is call a trusted Village plumbing company like Strittmatter Plumbing, Heating and AC.No matter what plumbing issue you’re dealing with, the plumbing specialists from Strittmatter have what it takes to diagnose and fix the issue. Visit us online to schedule service or give us a call at 940-246-2075.
