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Your home’s plumbing system is one of the most essential systems because you rely on it multiple times a day. Your family relies on water from the moment they wake up and use the bathroom and brush their teeth until going to bed at night. An issue with your plumbing system can cause various problems that can prevent you from using the water, bringing life in your Arlington, TX home to a standstill.

With all the DIY videos online and TV shows, many homeowners make home repairs DIY projects. Although DIY is great for some home repairs, plumbing repairs aren’t. It takes years of professional training and working with a licensed plumber to correctly diagnose and repair plumbing issues. If you don’t have the necessary training and expertise, you could end up doing more harm than good.

If your plumbing system experiences any of the following problems, it’s best to hire a licensed plumber.

#1 Slow Drains

Slow drains can be a hassle and occur when there’s a small clog in the drain, preventing the water from passing. Every time you do something that requires running water, the sink or tub will fill with water. Slow drains can make it challenging to do dishes and brush your teeth. If the shower drain is slow, you’ll be standing in several inches of water or more by the time you finish showering.

Many homeowners will try a liquid drain cleaner to remove the clog, but these products can cause further issues. If the drain cleaner didn’t remove and broke it up just enough for the water to pass, it will only be a matter of time before the water starts draining slowly again. In addition, store-bought liquid drain cleaners contain harsh ingredients designed to break up clogs and can damage your pipes.

It’s best to hire a plumber to fix a slow drain, and a licensed professional can use a drain camera to ensure the entire clog has been removed. In addition, the methods used to clear clogs are very effective and won’t cause damage to the pipes.

#2 Clogged Drains

Large drain clogs can prevent any water from draining, so you won’t be able to use the sink or tub until the clog is removed. Liquid drain cleaners are useless in this case and will often pool in the drain but won’t reach the clog.

A licensed plumber has the equipment and skill necessary to remove the entire clog, allowing the water to flow freely again.

#3 Multiple Drain Clogs

If multiple drains in your Arlington, TX home are clogged, it’s unlikely that every drain has become clogged simultaneously. The most common cause for multiple drain clogs is a clog in the sewer line that prevents the water from exiting the home effectively.

You can’t clear a sewer clog with a liquid drain cleaner, and you’ll need to hire a licensed professional to clear the swear line, allowing the water to flow freely in every sink and tub in your home.

#4 Toilet Clogs

Toilet clogs can be very frustrating because you cannot use the toilet until the clog is removed. If you have only one bathroom in your home, you won’t be able to use the restroom, which can be very problematic.

Toilet clogs aren’t uncommon and can occur if you flush too much toilet paper and waste. Your toilet can also get clogged if you flush something that isn’t designed to be flushed, such as paper towels and baby wipes. If your child flushes a toy down the toilet, which children often do, it will clog the toilet.

In most cases, plunging the toilet will break up the clog enough that it can be flushed to the sewer lines. If the plunger isn’t working, you’ll need to call a licensed plumber. Plungers are often ineffective if the clog is too large, too solid, or located too far down the drainpipe for the plunger to be effective. A plumber can use a drain auger to get down deep into the pipes to force the clog down. If the clog is located really far down the drain pipe, the plumbing professional may need to remove the toilet to reach the clog. The sooner you call a licensed professional, the sooner you can start using the toilet again.

#5 Leaks

Over time, the pipes in your Arlington, TX home can become worn, rusted, and decayed, and the connections can become loose, which could result in a leak. Leaking pipes can result in water damage that can be expensive to repair or mold growth that can be challenging and costly to eradicate.

Some leaks are easily detected, such as a leaking pipe under the sink, and when you open the kitchen cabinet or bathroom vanity, you’ll see a puddle of water. Clogs in other areas can be more challenging to notice. In many cases, the leaking pipe will cause water spots on the walls, ceiling, or floor, but in some cases, there will be no visible water damage. Leaks under the house are very challenging to detect. In some cases, the leak will make the basement feel warm or cause puddles in the yard. If a pipe under the house has been leaking for a significant amount of time, the water can damage your home’s foundation, which is a serious problem and can make your home unstable. Some leaks won’t show any signs, except for a higher water bill than usual because you’ll waste a significant amount of water. In addition, you may only experience reduced water pressure when there’s a leak.

If you suspect there’s a leak somewhere in your Arlington, TX home, it’s best to call a licensed plumber. A professional can use visual or acoustic leak detection equipment to find the leak, so it can be repaired before causing any more damage and increasing your water bills.

A leaking pipe is a serious problem, and it’s best to call for emergency service as soon as you suspect there’s a leaky pipe.

#6 Water Heater Problems

Although the water heater in your home is technically an appliance, it’s also an essential part of your plumbing system. The water that comes into your house is cold, and the water heater heats and stores it, so it’s there when you need it.

If your water heater isn’t functioning correctly, it can affect the temperature of the water coming from the hot water tap. Water heater issues can also affect the hot water pressure and contaminate the water.

Water heater repair shouldn’t be a DIY project. The appliance is complex, and if you make a minor mistake, it can affect how the unit runs. Also, if your water heater is still under warranty, a DIY repair will void it, and you’ll have to pay for all future repairs from your own pocket. If your water heater experiences any of the following problems, it’s best to call a licensed plumber immediately.

• The hot water comes out cold.
• The water isn’t getting hot enough.
• You frequently run out of hot water.
• The hot water pressure is poor.
• Strange sounds are coming from the unit.
• The hot water is brown or rust-colored.
• Moisture or water pooling around the unit

Water heater issues should not be ignored, and as soon as you suspect there’s an issue with the water heater, it’s best to call an emergency plumber.

#7 Dripping Faucet

Many people consider a dripping faucet a minor nuisance, but it is more serious than you think. A faucet that drips one drop per second can waste up to 330 gallons of water, causing your water bills to increase significantly, and wasting water is harmful to the environment. In addition, if you allow the problem to persist, the dripping can escalate to a steady stream, wasting much more water than when the faucet was dripping.

A few issues can cause your faucet to drip, including:

• A worn-out washer or gasket
• A loose O ring
• Corrosion in the valve seat
• The faucet has reached its maximum lifespan and should be replaced.

A licensed plumber can inspect the faucet to determine which of the above problems is causing the faucet to drip and resolve the issue. It’s best to call a plumber as soon as the faucet stops dripping to avoid high water bills.

#8 A Running Toilet

The toilets in your Arlington, TX home are designed to run when the toilet is flushed. When the toilet tank is full, the running should stop. If your toilet continues running after the tank is full, you should call a licensed plumber as soon as possible.

If you think a dripping faucet wastes a lot of water, you’ll be shocked by how much water a running toilet wastes. In just one month, your malfunctioning toilet will waste 900 gallons of water or more, causing a significant spike in your water bills.

A few issues can cause a running toilet, including:

• The float height needs to be adjusted.
• The flapper or chain is dirty or broken.
• The refill hose is too long.
• The toilet has reached the end of its lifespan.

Because so many issues can cause this one problem, it’s best to hire a plumber. A licensed plumber can inspect the toilet’s components to determine the cause of the problem so it can be resolved.

#9 Poor Water Pressure

Inadequate water pressure is frustrating because simple daily tasks requiring water will take longer than necessary. In addition, your water-based appliances rely on adequate water pressure to function at peak performance. If the water pressure in your Arlington, TX home is suddenly reduced, you should hire a licensed plumbing professional.

If only the hot water pressure is restricted, your water heater is the problem. When sediment builds up in the tank, it can clog the waterline, reducing the water pressure. If the tech cannot remove all of the sediment from the tank, you’ll need to replace the water heater. If you don’t, it’s only a matter of time before the waterline clogs again.

If the hot and cold water pressure is poor, there’s an issue with the plumbing system. A few issues can cause insufficient water pressure, including:

• A problem with the main shutoff valve
• A problem with the water meter valve
• The pressure regulator is failing
• There’s a significant clog in the pipes.
• Corroded pipes
• A substantial leak in the pipe
• The plumbing fixtures are faulty.

A licensed plumber can inspect your plumbing system to find the cause of the problem and restore the water pressure.

#10 Brown or Rust-Colored Water

The water coming from the taps in your Arlington, TX home should be clean and clear. If the water is rust-colored or brown, you should call an emergency plumber. Discolored water isn’t safe to use, and the longer you wait to make the call, the longer it will be before you can use the water again.

If only the hot water is discolored, the problem is with the water heater. When sediment builds up in the tank, and can break apart and contaminate the water.

If the hot and cold water is brown or rust-colored, there’s an issue with the pipes. When pipes age, they can start to rust and corrode, contaminating the water.

A licensed professional can inspect the water heater or pipes to resolve the problem, and it will be safe to use the water.

Why Choose Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth?

If you have a plumbing issue and need to hire a plumber, call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth. We are a family-owned and operated, full-service plumbing company, serving customers in the area since 1998.

Our plumbers are professionally trained, highly skilled, and have the knowledge and experience to handle any plumbing job, and no job is too large or too small. If you have a plumbing problem that can’t wait, we provide emergency service and will get a tech to your home as quickly as possible.

To schedule an appointment with one of our plumbers, give us a call today.

Photo By BINK0NTAN at Shutterstock