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You rely on your home’s plumbing system all day, from the first toilet flush until you brush your teeth before bed. There are plenty of plumbing issues that could arise and can make your life inconvenient, affect your ability to use the water, and some can cause a flood.

DIY home repairs are common today, thanks to online do-it-yourself videos and TV home repair shows. Although some repairs are great DIY projects, plumbing repair isn’t one of them. Licensed plumbers go through years of training and apprenticeship to learn their craft. If you don’t have the necessary training, it’s easy to make a simple mistake that could cause more damage and result in a more expensive repair bill.

If your plumbing system experiences any of the following problems, it’s best to leave the job to a plumber in Granbury, TX.

#1 Leaks

Plumbing leaks are a common call plumbers receive. The pipes can leak when they rust or corrode due to a loose joint or if the seal fails. Also, leaks can occur in any part of the house. Leaks under the sink are easy to detect because you’ll see standing water when you open the kitchen cabinet or bathroom vanity. It’s also easy to see a leak behind the wall because you’ll see water spots on the wall around the leaking pipe. It’s possible for a line under the house to leak, which can be more challenging to detect. Leaks in this area can create puddles in the yard, or the basement wall will be warm. In more severe cases, the leak can cause damage to your home’s foundation.

If you have a plumbing leak, it’s best to hire a plumber immediately. Leaks cause water damage and mold growth and can waste a significant amount of water, causing your water bills to increase. Sometimes, the only sign of a leak is high water bills.

A licensed professional can replace the leaking pipe or repair the joint or seal to stop the leak. If they’re having trouble finding the leak, leak detection equipment will help them find the leak’s location so that the necessary repair can be made. Plumbing leaks are considered a plumbing emergency, and it’s best to call a licensed professional right away.

#2 Drain Issues

Most people don’t think about drain health until something happens that prevents water from draining. The water should flow freely down the drain when it runs, and if it doesn’t, daily household tasks that require water can be difficult or impossible.

If your drains experience any of the following problems, it’s best to hire a licensed plumber in Granbury, TX, right away.

• Slow drains: If you run the water and it drains very slowly, there’s likely a small clog causing the water to drain slowly. Some people will try a liquid drain cleaner to remove minor clogs, but it’s better to hire a professional. You can’t be sure if the drain cleaner removed the entire clog, and if any part remains, it will escalate to a significant clog, preventing any water from draining. Also, these products contain harsh chemicals that could damage the pipes. A licensed professional can remove the entire clog, restoring water flow down the drain.
• Clogged drains: Significant drain clogs can prevent the water from draining, resulting in standing water in the sink or tub. You can’t use the sink or tub until the entire clog is removed, so it’s best to call a licensed professional immediately.
• Multiple clogs: When multiple drains are slow or completely clogged, it isn’t a coincidence, and they don’t happen to clog simultaneously. This problem is often due to a clog in the sewer line and shouldn’t be a DIY project. You’ll need a licensed plumber to clear the sewer line, allowing the water to flow freely down every drain in your house.
• Noisy drains: Do your drains make a gurgling sound when you run the water? If so, it’s best to hire a licensed plumber immediately. The sound indicates a considerable clog in the drain. Just because the water drains, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t a clog. The water will change directions to get past the clog, creating a gurgling sound. If you don’t call a professional immediately, it won’t be long before the drain becomes completely clogged.

Ignoring drain problems will only make them worse, so it’s best to hire a licensed professional as soon as the trouble starts.

#3 Water Heater Problems

Your water heater is technically an appliance, and it’s also an essential part of your plumbing system. The water is cold when it comes into your home and fills the water heater where it’s heated and stored, so you always have it when you need it. The water temperature can be affected if the unit isn’t working correctly. Also, some problems can put your home at risk for a flood or affect your ability to use the water. Because the water heater is part of the plumbing system, you’ll need to hire a plumber if the unit experiences any of the following problems.

• No hot water: A lack of hot water is a serious problem and often occurs when the heating element has failed. This issue can also happen if the unit is over ten years old and has reached its maximum lifespan.
• Lukewarm water: If the water doesn’t get hotter than lukewarm, regardless of how long you let it run, there could be a problem with the thermostat. If the unit is nearing the end of its lifespan, it may not be functioning efficiently enough to heat the water.
• Rust-colored hot water: Sediment buildup in the tank can contaminate the water, causing it to be rust-colored when coming from the tap. If the unit is over ten years old, the inside of the tank could be breaking down, causing tiny metal shards and deposits to contaminate the water.
• Banging sound: This sound from the unit indicates large pieces of sediment in the tank that bang against the inside of the water tank.
• Poor hot water pressure: This problem occurs when sediment from the water tank clogs the waterline, restricting the water pressure.
• You frequently run out of hot water: If you run out of hot water often, your water heater may not be large enough to meet your family’s hot water demand, and the last person in line for the shower will take a cold one. There could also be a significant amount of sediment in the tank, and there won’t be as much space in the tank for water storage.

DIY water heater repair isn’t recommended because it’s a complex unit, and one minor mistake could do more harm than good. Also, a DIY repair will void the warranty. It’s best to hire a licensed professional in Granbury, TX, to inspect the unit and make the necessary repair.

#4 Running Toilet

The toilet will run when you flush and should stop running when the tank is full if it’s working correctly. If the toilet continues running when the tank is full, it’s best to hire a plumber. A running toilet is more than a noisy annoyance and can waste 30 gallons of water a day and up to 900 gallons a month, causing your water bills to increase considerably. Also, wasting this amount of water is harmful to the environment.

A few issues can cause the toilet to run constantly, including:

• The flapper is cracked, or the chain is broken.
• The float height needs to be adjusted.
• The refill tube is too long.
• The toilet has reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced.

A licensed plumber in Granbury, TX, can inspect the toilet to determine why it continues to run and make the necessary repair. It’s best to have the toilet repaired quickly to prevent any more wasted water.

#5 Clogged Toilet

Another common toilet problem is a clog, which can occur if someone flushes too much waste and toilet paper. Clogs can also occur if someone flushes something that isn’t meant to be flushed, such as paper towels, baby wipes, washcloths, or a child’s toy. Plunging the toilet will usually break up the clog enough that you can flush it without overflowing; however, if the plumber is ineffective, you’ll need to hire a licensed professional in Granbury, TX.

The plunger will be ineffective if the clog is too large or located too far down the drain, and a licensed professional can use a drain auger to break up the clog enough that you can flush the toilet. If the clog is located too far down the drain, the plumber can remove the toilet to get to the clog.

You can’t use a clogged toilet, which can be inconvenient, especially if you only have one bathroom, so it’s best to hire a professional right away.

#6 Dripping Faucet

A dripping faucet is more than a simple annoyance, and like a running toilet, it can waste a significant amount of water. A faucet that drips one drop per second can waste 11 gallons of water a day, and 330 gallons per month, so it’s best to hire a plumber immediately.

A few issues can cause the faucet to drip, such as a worn-out gasket or washer, corrosion in the valve seat, or a loose O ring. If the faucet is old, it may have reached the end of its lifespan and should be replaced.

#7 Frozen Pipes

Winter days in Granbury, TX, are relatively mild, but that can change during a cold snap or when a cold front moves in, and the temperature can drop below freezing. The temperature often drops below freezing at night, and there’s a chance the pipes can freeze. Frozen pipes are a serious problem because when the pipes freeze, the water inside will freeze and expand, causing the pipes to burst. Burst pipes are a homeowner’s worst nightmare because they will cause significant flooding in the home.

If you try to turn on the water when it’s freezing outside, it’s best to hire a licensed plumber immediately. They can thaw the pipes quickly and safely to prevent burst pipes, and the plumber can also wrap the pipes in heated tape to prevent them from freezing again.

Call Benjamin Franklin of Fort Worth Today

If there’s an issue with your plumbing system and you need to hire a plumber in Granbury, TX, look no further than Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth. We’re a family-owned and operated, full-service plumbing company serving customers in the area since 1988.

Our plumbers are professionally trained, highly skilled, and can handle any job, whether simple or complex. We understand that plumbing emergencies can occur at the most inconvenient times, and if you have an emergency, don’t panic. We provide emergency service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and we will get a plumber to your home as quickly as possible to resolve the problem before further damage occurs.

We understand your time is valuable, and when you schedule an appointment, we guarantee the plumber will be on time. If they’re running late for some reason, we’ll pay you $5 for every minute until they arrive, and this is our punctuality promise. When our tech arrives at your home, they’ll be in a fully-stocked truck, allowing them to make most repairs on the same day. Not only will this save you the cost of a second service call, but it will also make your life easier because you won’t need to make time for a second appointment.

We’ve earned an excellent reputation over the years and have a 5-star rating on Google. We’re also an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating. We’re featured on Home Advisor and are an Elite and Top-Rated business, with over 100 5-star reviews on the platform.

To schedule an appointment for plumbing service, give Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth a call or book online.

Photo By Qba from Poland at Shutterstock