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You rely on every appliance and system in your Mansfield, TX home to make your life easier and more convenient. Although every system and appliance is necessary to your daily life, some are more essential than others, such as your plumbing system.

You need running water to perform basic daily household tasks, such as showering, cooking, cleaning, and flushing the toilet. You also rely on your plumbing system to remove waste and water from your home.

Many handy homeowners will attempt DIY plumbing repairs to save on the cost of hiring a plumber. Unfortunately, this isn’t the best idea. You need professional plumbing training and experience to repair a plumbing issue successfully. If you have no professional training, you can make one simple mistake resulting in a flood or further damage, resulting in a more expensive repair bill.

If the plumbing system in your home experiences any of the following issues, it is best to call a licensed plumbing company.

#1 Leaks

A leak in your plumbing system is a serious issue. Not only can a leak cause water damage and mold growth in the area, but it can also waste a significant amount of water, causing your water bills to increase. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average household’s leak can waste close to 10,000 gallons of water per year. Ten percent of homes have leaks that can waste 90+ gallons of water per day.

Leaks can occur in a few ways, including broken pipes, old and corroded pipes, or a significant clog in the waterline.

A leak under the sink is often easy to detect because you will see pooling water when you open the kitchen cabinet or bathroom vanity; however, hidden leaks can be more challenging to detect. If a pipe behind the wall starts leaking, you might see water spots on the walls and ceiling. A leak under the home can be even more challenging to detect because you may not see any water at all. If your basement floor is warm, there could be a leak under the floor. If the leak has gone undetected for some time, your home’s foundation can be damaged, which is a serious problem that can be very expensive to repair. In some cases, the only sign of a leak is a higher than average water bill.

If you suspect there is a leak somewhere in your plumbing system, you should call a licensed plumbing company immediately. Your plumber can use a mechanical turbine or ultrasonic wavelengths to monitor the water flow. This equipment can also observe the water flow pattern and count the number of gallons passing through the sensor. This will help the plumber find the exact location of the leak so that the necessary repair can be made.

#2 Water Heater Issues

The water heater in your home is technically an appliance, but it is also an essential part of your plumbing system. The water coming into your home is cold, and the water heater heats the water and stores the hot water, so it is there when you need it. If your water heater isn’t functioning correctly, it can affect your ability to perform household tasks, contaminate the hot water, and the water heater could even flood your home.

Because a faulty water heater can cause so many issues, you should call a plumbing professional if the unit is experiencing any of the following problems.

• No hot water
• The water isn’t getting hot enough
• You frequently run out of hot water.
• The hot water is discolored.
• Poor hot water pressure
• Strange sounds coming from the unit
• Moisture or water pooling around the unit

DIY water heater repair is a bad idea and should be avoided. If you make one simple mistake, you could do more damage, resulting in a more expensive plumbing repair bill. In addition, a DIY repair will void the warranty on the unit, and you will need to pay for future repairs yourself.

A licensed plumber can inspect the water heater to determine the cause of the problem and determine if the unit can be repaired or if a water heater replacement is the better option. A faulty water heater can affect your ability to use the hot water or flood your home; therefore, it is best to call an emergency plumber right away.

#3 Leaking Faucet

Many people consider a leaking faucet a minor nuisance; however, it is more serious than you may think, and you should call a licensed plumbing company right away.

A leaking faucet indicates an issue with the mechanics. If you don’t call a plumber right away, the dripping can escalate to steady steam that you can’t turn off. In addition, a leaking faucet can waste a significant amount of water. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a faucet that drips one drop per second can waste over 250 gallons of water per month and 3,000 gallons of water per year, causing a significant increase in your water bills.

A few issues can result in a leaky faucet, including:

• A worn-out gasket or washer
• A loose O ring
• Corrosion in the valve seat
• The faucet has reached the end of its lifespan.

A licensed plumbing company can inspect the faucet to determine the cause of the drip so they can make the necessary repair. If you want to avoid water bills you can’t afford, you should call a licensed plumbing company as soon as the faucet starts dripping.

#4 Running Toilet

The toilet in your Mansfield, TX home is designed to run when flushed, and it will continue running until the tank is full, so it is ready for the next flush. If your toilet continues running after the tank is full, you should call a licensed plumber right away.

If you thought a dripping faucet wastes a lot of water, you will be shocked by the amount of water wasted by a constantly running toilet. You can waste 24 gallons of water in just one day, which equals 720 gallons per month and up to 8,640 gallons per year. This amount of wasted water can cause a drastic increase in your water bills; therefore, you should call a licensed plumbing company as soon as the toilet starts running.

A few issues can cause your toilet to run, including:

• The flapper is cracked or damaged and cannot stay closed.
• The float height needs to be adjusted.
• The refill hose is too long.
• The tank’s seal is starting to fail.
• The toilet has reached the end of its lifespan.

A licensed plumber can inspect the toilet to figure out why the toilet continues to run so that the necessary repair can be made. Making the call right away will prevent you from getting a water bill you can’t afford.

#5 Drain Clogs

Drain clogs are one of the most common calls a plumber receives. As careful as you are with what you put down the drain, food, grease, hair, and soap scum will find a way down the drain, creating a clog.

If you have a clogged drain in your Mansfield, TX home, you may be tempted to use a liquid drain cleaner to save on the cost of hiring a plumber. Unfortunately, using a drain cleaner isn’t the best idea. The product can break up the clog enough that the water flows freely down the drain; however, you can’t be sure the entire clog has been removed. If part of the clog remains, it will only be a matter of time before the water starts draining slowly again. In addition, liquid drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals designed to break up clogs, which can cause permanent damage to your pipes. Finally, if the drain is completely clogged and standing water is in the sink or tub, the product won’t reach the clog.

It is best to hire a plumbing company to remove the clog from the drain. A plumber can use a drain camera to find the clog’s location and determine the size, helping them remove the entire clog safely.

#6 Toilet Clogs

A clogged toilet is an inconvenient problem because you can’t use the toilet until the clog is removed. If you have only one bathroom in your Mansfield, TX home, a clogged toilet is a major inconvenience because you can’t use the bathroom in your home until the clog is removed.

Clogs occur when too much toilet paper and waste are flushed. Your toilet can also clog if something is flushed that shouldn’t have been, such as baby wipes, diapers, a washcloth, or a child’s toy.

In many cases, plunging the toilet can break up the clog enough that the toilet can be flushed. If you try plunging the toilet and the clog remains, you should call an emergency plumber. The plunger will be ineffective if the clog is too large, solid, or located too far down the drainpipe. A plumbing professional can remove the clog using a drain snake or by taking the toilet apart, so you can start flushing the toilet again.

#7 Frozen Pipes

Winters in Mansfield, TX, are relatively mild; however, if a cold front approaches or there is a cold snap, the temperature can drop below freezing, putting your pipes at risk for freezing. If you turn on the water on a freezing day and nothing comes out, there is a good chance your pipes have frozen, and you should call an emergency plumber right away.

Frozen pipes are a serious problem because when the water in the pipes freezes, it will expand, causing the pipes to burst. Burst pipes can flood your home, resulting in significant water damage and mold growth.

A licensed plumbing company can thaw the pipes quickly and safely. In addition, they can wrap your pipes in heated tape to prevent the pipes from freezing in the future.

#8 Discolored Water

The water coming from the taps in your Mansfield, TX home should be clean and clear. If the water has a brown tint, you should call an emergency plumber right away.

If just the hot water is discolored, the issue is with the water heater. When sediment builds up in the water tank, it can break apart, contaminating the water. If your water heater is over ten years old, the inside of the tank could be breaking down, and small pieces of metal and rust will contaminate the water.

If the hot and cold water is discolored, there is likely a rusty or corroded pipe.

A licensed plumbing company can inspect your water heater and plumbing system to find the cause of the problem to make the necessary repair. It is best to avoid using the water until a plumber makes the necessary repair, as it is dangerous to use contaminated water. If you absolutely must use the water, it is best to boil it first.

Why Choose Benjamin Franklin Plumbing?

If you have a plumbing issue in your Mansfield, TX home and you need to hire a plumber, call Benjamin Franklin of Fort Worth. We are a family-owned and operated full-service plumbing company, proudly serving customers in the area for years.

Our plumbers are professionally trained, highly skilled, and qualified to handle any problem you have. We understand your time is valuable; therefore, we promise our customers perfect punctuality. If your plumber is late, we will pay you $5 for every minute until they arrive.

Over the years, we have earned an excellent reputation in the community and have a 5-star rating on Google. Home Advisor lists us as an Elite and Top-Rated Service, and we have over 100 positive reviews on their website.

If your plumbing issue is an emergency, we provide emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When you call for emergency service, we will get a plumber to your home right away, so the problem can be resolved before further issues occur.

To schedule an appointment for a plumbing service, give us a call or book online.

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