Most plumbing issues tend to be the most neglected thing for many people. This is mainly because their knowledge about plumbing encompasses working the plunger and pouring whatever the most popular cleaner is down the drain. Cue in a headache of massive proportions when those two things do nothing to resolve their plumbing problem.
But what if there was a way to recognize your pipes and sewer system are acting out of character and give yourselves a chance to prevent a plumbing catastrophe from happening?
It would be great, wouldn’t it, if there were some warning signs alerting you to call for a pro before you are forced to spend thousands of dollars on repairs?
Well, lucky for you, your pipes are indeed able to tell you if there is an issue and all you need is to use your eyes, ears and nose to get to the bottom of the problem.
You will hear gurgling sound
The biggest indicator to a clogged or simply blocked drain is that creepy, horror-movie, gurgling sound you hear when you use the toilet, run the dishwasher or the laundry. Your system is struggling for air because it is blocked somewhere and it makes this recognizable sound.
But if you notice this sound while you have your dishwasher or shower on, turn everything off right away to avoid the sewer water backing up into your home. And, of course, call a trusted plumber near you.
You will hear water running, but no one is using the toilet
If you hear water running through your pipes when you’re sure there is no one using the toilet or any water in your home, you most certainly have a leak somewhere in your system.
The next thing to do is to check for a wet spot on walls, floors and ceilings. This can help your plumber determine the location of the leak more easily. You can also check your water meter when you are not using any water.
If it is turning, you have a leak. But there are some differences with a hot water leak and a toilet leak, so make sure you call for a plumber to see what and where exactly is the problem in your home’s pipes.
You will notice a low water pressure
Now, don’t panic if this happens, because sometimes that poor water pressure is nothing but a gunk buildup in the faucet parts. Just screw off the aerator of your faucet, clean the gunk, place everything back as it was and hope for the best.
If this did not fix your problem, then there is a problem somewhere down the line. And that problem is not a minor one, it is most likely a fractured pipe or a leak. This is, of course, a job for a professional plumber.
You will see the water draining slowly
If at any moment you notice your bathroom, kitchen or tub sink struggling to drain water, or your toilet still won’t drain properly even after you use cleaning products and plunger, this means there is a clog somewhere in the pipe.
According to Mr. Speedy Plumbing West Hollywood, a plumbing contractor in West Hollywood, the biggest reason you should call a plumber is that a clog is not always a benign as it sounds. Sometimes it takes a lot of expertise to remove it or even use hydro-jet to get rid of it without damaging the pipes. So make sure you leave this one out to a pro.
You will smell sewage or sulfur
It is never a good day when your house smells of rotten eggs and you should not ignore such an obvious warning. Your sewer line may be broken or a vent was malfunctioning and if you leave this wound festering, one day pretty soon, you may find yourselves up to your neck in…. well…you know.
Call your plumber immediately if this happens to you and this rule applies to all gas and sewer odors you detect.
