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As tempting as it might be to grab the tools and work a little DIY magic, calling a plumber is almost always the best option. For starters, trying to fix something themselves has led many homeowners to pat themselves on the back for a job well done, only to realize they made the problem worse.
At worst, it might cost some time, which would, in turn, result in a bigger problem and, painfully, more expensive repairs. If you’re an Arlington, TX resident who likes to make sure their home is always in great condition, read on to learn about ten times when it’s a great idea to call a plumbing service.
1. When You Have a Rapid Water Supply Line Leak
This is one of the most common times when people call a plumber, and it can be the most devastating to people’s homes. In situations like these, time is crucial, and the less of it that’s wasted, the better.
When you notice any major flooding, there are plumbers that you can call to have that fixed. You’ll prevent further damage to your home if you do that as soon as you can.
While you wait for the professionals to arrive, there are a few things you can do in the meantime. Firstly, try to find the cut-ff valve. If you’re unable to, you’ll just have to go to the home main water shut-off valve.
2. When There’s No Water in the House
When this happens, it’s usually limited to a localized area. That can be the bathroom, kitchen or any other part of the house. However, it rarely affects the entire house.
As with many things to do about plumbing, calling a plumbing service is usually the best call. They’ll be to identify the exact problem and take care of it because it gets bigger and more costly. You can check the hot and cold water supplies as that sometimes give you a clue as to what’s going on.
3. Running Toilet
It’s common for you to have to wrestle with the handle a few times for your toilet to behave after flushing. If it’s happening too often, though, there might a problem.
Sometimes, the problem has to do with the flapper, in which case it can easily be prepared. Other times, it’s a much more complicated problem that requires a professional to have a look and advise you on what’s best for you and your home.
4. Natural Gas Leak from the Water Heater
A natural gas leak can be from the stove or the gas meter. If it’s from either of those two, you should call your gas company or a stove repairman to have a look at it as soon as you can.
Natural gas leaks can also be from the water heater, and that’s when you should call a plumber. If you’re in Arlington, TX, you’ll be able to find professionals who have experience dealing with that exact type of problem. Considering how dangerous such a leak can be, it’s best to have to it checked out before it gets even worse.
5. Low Water Pressure Throughout the House
This can be the result of a number of issues. The most common of these is usually obstructions in the pipe, and these are usually in the form of rust and debris. If you obstructions in your pipe, they may be lining it from the meter and going up to the faucet aerators. A good plumber will know how to analyze and solve the problem.
6. When There’s No Problem
Regular maintenance checks are often the best way to prevent problems. If you can arrange for your plumbing to be looked at every now and again, you’ll be able to spot issues while they are still minor, which will save you time, money and headaches in the future.
7. Frozen Pipes
If you’ve got a frozen pipe, the first thing you’ll need to do is to close the main water shut-off valve. After that, you’ll have to check if the pipe has either burst or cracked. A cracked pipe is bad news, and the sooner you can call a plumber, the more additional damage you’ll prevent.
8. Dripping Faucet
This isn’t that big of a problem in most cases, but it’s generally safer not to take a gamble on that. You might be able to tighten a leaky faucet, but some may give you a lot more trouble.
At one drop per second, the faucet will waste nearly 30,000 gallons of water in a year, which equates to 174 average showers. In terms of cost, you’ll lose out a lot more by letting the drip than by calling a plumber to come and fix it.
9. Toilet, Sink or Bathtub That’s Not Draining
Clogs generally tend to get worse the more they are neglected. You can try unclogging the toilet yourself with a plunger. In fact, there are also ways to do it without a plunger.
If no amount of unclogging seems to be working, you’ll need to call a plumber as soon as you can before the problem gets much worse. If you’re in Arlington, TX, you’ll be able to get the issue resolved quite easily.
It’s generally advisable not to try to repair this yourself, due to the high potential for damage. Scratching the porcelain or damaging the pipes might result in even greater damage to your plumbing system, which can run you into the thousands in costs.
10. Home Renovations
If you’re renovating your home be sure to have Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Arlington, TX check it out when the improvements are done. The main reason for this is that many renovations tend to encroach into the plumbing system, and some of the damage might be difficult to spot until it’s too costly.
Keeping your home in the best shape possible, particularly when it comes to plumbing, can help to retain its value while providing you with more comfort and convenience.