Don’t you want to avoid a plumbing mishap?
Many homeowners find themselves stuck in a nightmare when their home plumbing system malfunctions. After all, it can cause severe damage to the house and be financially draining as well. Dealing with lousy plumbing early on is the best bet for any homeowner.
Bad plumbing is a nuisance
While a malfunctioning plumbing system is undesirable, there is something you can do about it. Early identification of bad plumbing and subsequent action can reduce the likelihood of disasters down the line. Luckily, service providers can help you out with their expertise. After all, there are about 440,000 plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters employed in the US.
“Better to care rather than regretting later,” we can say that when it comes to plumbing. A poorly maintained plumbing system is nothing but a disaster waiting to happen. Therefore, homeowners should not be passive when they foresee a possible issue. Instead of paying hefty bills down the line, they can pay way less by being more proactive.
Here are a few telltale signs that indicate a bad plumbing system.
Discolored pipes and buildup
Have you noticed any discoloration or buildup in the pipes? If you have, don’t ignore it. Pipes with a rusty color indicate the presence of moisture. The usual suspects are a dripping drain or a small leak in the plumbing joint. The pipes could be outdated and require replacement. If you believe that there is a leak, you should get it checked by a professional. After all, plumbing supply lines are pressurized, and it won’t take much time for the issue to escalate.
Unclear water
You don’t want to see your faucet spitting out unclear dirty water. While it is undoubtedly unhygienic, the water also indicates degradation in the plumbing as well. If you notice that water has a green tint, you could be dealing with corrosion in copper pipes. If the water is tinted yellow, the plumbing lines might be rusty. Not only do outdated pipes give water an undesirable tint, but they are also more likely to cause significant leaks. Indeed, such pipes and the water they spit is unignorable.
Spikes in the water bill
If your water bill is bloated, there is a possibility that the plumbing system is malfunctioning. After all, fluctuations in the bill indicate that there is something wrong. Typically, household leaks and running toilets are the culprits. Unfortunately, they are prevalent too. It is shocking how the average family wastes about 9,400 gallons of water every year due to household leaks. If there is no valid reason to justify an increase in the water bill, take some action. Trust us. You don’t want to get bankrupt before you call a plumber.
Low water pressure
Surviving without water is impossible. The average family uses about 210 gallons of water in their house every day. Therefore, it is not difficult to see why low water pressure is undesirable. If this problem impacts one faucet in the house, there might be a small issue with the faucet aerator. However, if multiple locations show signs of low water pressure, there is a reason to suspect a significant plumbing issue. Perhaps there is something wrong with the water main, or there is an active leak in the plumbing lines. Take swift action if you observe more signs in conjunction with low water pressure.
Peeling or bubbling paint
Paint and moisture are not on friendly terms. Even if you don’t see water, the bubbling color that is turning brown indicates that there is a water leak. The leak could exist in the roof or the plumbing system. Whatever you do, don’t ignore visible signs of damage to the paint. Troubleshoot and try to eliminate the leak before any serious disaster occurs. You don’t want your walls to look ugly and damaged.
Basement flooding
If your basement floods every year, there is a reason to believe that there is something wrong with the plumbing system. A flooded basement opens a pandora box of hassle and frustration for homeowners. Moreover, it also puts any items stored in the basement at risk. After the rainfall season, rain-related plumbing problems are prevalent. Professional residential plumbing services will be able to isolate the issue and find a solution. After all, they are trained to tackle this situation, and they have the proper equipment.
Weird stench
A foul sewer odor is the last thing anyone would want to smell. Plumbing systems have drains, traps, and vents, which work together to block sewer gases from entering the home. If there is a weird stench in your house, you either have a dry trap or a cracked vent line. You probably want to eliminate the odor as soon as possible. As it is simple to deal with a dry trap, you can refill it with water. However, when it comes to a vent, only rely on experts. After all, some cracked vents are enclosed within walls and require surgical drywall removal.
No water flow in winter
If the water pressure ceases to exist when winter arrives, you need to be alarmed. Often supply lines run through areas that are unheated and hence exposed to the chilly weather. These frozen pipes are a significant issue as they may burst when the temperature rises. If there is no water flow in the faucets, be prepared for a possible leak, and try to get professional help. If you want to prevent frozen pipes, think about insulating supply lines running through unheated spaces like the attic.
Final thoughts
A well-maintained plumbing system is a blessing that takes effort. Therefore, homeowners should have a proactive approach when it comes to there house. If there are any visible signs of damage to the paint or an unexplainable spike in the bill, troubleshoot. Solve simple issues yourself but rely on professional plumbers to solve the complicated problems efficiently.
Author Bio:
About Michelle Joe: Michelle Joe is a blogger by choice. She loves to discover the world around her. She likes to share her discoveries, experiences, and express herself through her blogs. You can find her on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
