You rely on the plumbing system in your home all day. Without your plumbing system, you won’t have running water to shower, cook, clean, brush your teeth, flush the toilet and perform most daily household tasks.
Your plumbing system comprises two parts, the water delivery system, and the drainage system. If either part of your plumbing system isn’t working correctly, you should call a licensed plumber.
With all the do-it-yourself videos online today, and the DIY shows on TV, many homeowners are making home repairs DIY projects. While DIY is great for some projects, like painting your house or sanding and staining the deck, plumbing repairs should only be handled by a professional.
It takes a professional education and extensive plumbing knowledge to diagnose and repair plumbing issues correctly; therefore, unless you are a professionally trained plumber, you should have a licensed professional handle plumbing repairs.
If the plumbing system in your home is experiencing any of the following issues, it is best to call a licensed plumbing company as soon as the problem occurs.
#1 Leaks
Leak repair is one of the most common calls plumbers receive. The pipes in your Granbury, TX home can leak due to age or corrosion. Changing temperatures are another common cause of leaks. You need hot and cold running water, and when the temperature goes from hot to cold multiple times a day, the temperature change can cause the pipes to crack, resulting in a leak.
A leak in the pipes can cause significant water damage in your home and promote mold growth.
There are a few areas of your plumbing system that can leak, including:
- Under the sink: A leak under the sink can be easily detected because you will see water pooling when you open the kitchen cabinet or bathroom vanity.
- Behind the walls: If a pipe behind the wall starts to leak, it can be more challenging to detect because you can’t see behind the walls. If there are water spots on the walls or the ceiling, a pipe is likely leaking behind the wall.
- Under the house: Your plumbing system runs right under your home and underground, and leaks under the house are the hardest to detect. The most common signs of a leak under the house include a warm basement floor, puddles forming in the yard, and in severe cases, damage to your home’s foundation.
A licensed plumber can use acoustic leak detection equipment and cameras to find the source of the leak, allowing them to replace the affected pipe, which will stop the leak while preventing further damage.
#2 You Have No Water
A lack of water is the most obvious sign that you have a plumbing issue. If you turn on the water in your Granbury, TX home and nothing comes out, you may need to hire a licensed plumbing company. Before you make the call, check your records to ensure your bills have been paid and your water hasn’t been shut off. In addition, ask your neighbors if they have running water or check the water company’s website to rule out a water outage.
If everything checks out on your end, it is time to call a plumber. A few issues can cause a lack of running water, and you will need an experienced professional to find the cause.
- An issue with the shutoff valve
- Aged or corroded pipes
- A significant clog in the pipes
- Frozen pipes
A plumber can inspect the plumbing system to determine why you have no running water, so the necessary repair can be made, allowing the water to start flowing from the faucets and showerheads again.
#3 Drain Clogs
Drain clogs are another common problem that plumbers solve. As careful as you are with what you put down the drains in your home, food, grease, hair, and soap scum will end up in the drain, which can cause a clog.
Minor clogs can cause the water to drain slowly, which can be frustrating when you do something that requires the water to run, such as taking a shower, brushing your teeth, or washing the dishes, because the sink or tub will fill quickly.
Some people will try a liquid drain cleaner to save on the cost of hiring a plumber, but this isn’t the best way to remove the clog. There is no guarantee that the entire clog will be removed, and if a small piece of the clog remains, it won’t be long before the water starts draining slowly again. Also, liquid drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals necessary to break up clogs, which can damage the pipes.
Large clogs can block the pipe completely, and the water won’t go down the drain, preventing you from using the sink or tub until the clog is removed.
A licensed plumbing company can use a drain camera to find the leak’s location and determine the size. This information will help the plumber determine the best way to reach the clog and the best method to clear the pipe.
Hiring a licensed professional is the best way to ensure the entire clog has been removed, preventing further drain issues.
#4 Toilet Clogs
Toilet clogs are relatively common and can occur if you flush too much toilet paper and waste. Clogs can also occur if something is flushed that shouldn’t have been. If you have a clogged toilet in your Granbury, TX home, trying to flush more than once can cause the toilet to overflow; therefore, you can’t use the toilet until the clog is removed. If you only have one bathroom and the toilet is clogged, you can’t use the bathroom in your home, which is a serious problem.
In most cases, plunging the toilet will break up the clog enough to flush the toilet. If the plunger has no effect, the clog is likely too large or too solid for the plunger to break it up. If the clog is located far down the drainpipe, the plunger won’t help, and you should call a licensed plumber.
Plumbers are trained to safely remove toilet clogs, regardless of the size or location, and can resolve the problem quickly.
#5 Water Heater Issues
The water heater in your Granbury, TX home is technically an appliance, and it is also an essential part of your plumbing system. The water coming into your home is cold, and your water heater heats and stores the water, so it is there when you need it.
A faulty water heater can affect the water temperature, the water quality and can even damage your home; therefore, it should be repaired immediately.
DIY water heater repairs aren’t recommended because if you make one minor mistake, you could end up doing more damage. In addition, a DIY repair will void your water heater’s warranty.
If your water heater experiences any of the following issues, it is best to call a licensed plumber right away.
- No hot water: This could be due to a faulty heating element, or the unit has reached the end of its lifespan.
- The water isn’t getting hot enough: This could be due to a faulty thermostat or a faulty heating element.
- Poor hot water pressure: When sediment clogs the waterline, the water pressure will be affected.
- Discolored hot water: Sediment or a breakdown of the inside of the water tank can contaminate the hot water, causing it to have a brown tint.
- Foul-smelling hot water: If your hot water smells like rotten eggs, there is likely sulfate bacteria in the water tank.
- Strange sounds: Strange sounds coming from the unit signify large pieces of sediment in the tank.
- Leaks or moisture: Moisture or water pooling around the unit often signifies a loose or disconnected hose, or there could be a crack in the water tank.
A licensed plumber can inspect the water heater to find the cause of the problem and determine if the issue can be repaired or if a water heater replacement is the best option.
#6 Poor Water Pressure
You need adequate water pressure to perform many daily household tasks, such as washing your hair and doing the dishes. The water-based appliances in your home also rely on sufficient water pressure to function at peak performance.
If the water pressure in your Granbury, TX home is suddenly reduced, it is best to call a licensed plumber. A few issues can cause poor water pressure, and you will need a licensed professional to find the cause.
If the water pressure is poor from just one faucet or showerhead, the fixture is likely to blame. The aerator could be clogged with dirt dust and limescale buildup or may have reached the end of its lifespan.
Poor water pressure from every tap in the house could be due to one of the following reasons.
- An issue with the main shutoff valve
- A problem with the water meter valve
- The pressure regulator is failing
- A clog in the pipes
- Corroded pipes
- A significant leak in the pipes
A licensed plumbing company can inspect the plumbing system to fund the cause, allowing them to restore your water pressure.
#7 Dripping Faucet
Many people consider a dripping faucet a minor nuisance. Within a day or two, you won’t hear the dripping sound, making it easy to ignore. What you may not know is that a dripping faucet is more serious than you think.
A dripping faucet can be due to a worn-out gasket or washer, a loose O ring, or corrosion to the valve seat. This problem can also occur if the faucet is old and has reached the end of its lifespan. Ignoring the problem will eventually cause the dripping to escalate to a steady stream that cannot be turned off.
A dripping faucet can also waste a significant amount of water. According to the EPA, a faucet that drips one drop per second can waste over 3,000 gallons of water per year, which is enough water for 180 showers. This amount of wasted water will cause your water bills to increase significantly; therefore, it is best to call a licensed plumbing company as soon as the dripping starts. A plumber can inspect the faucet to figure out why it’s dripping, allowing them to take the necessary steps to make the dripping stop.
#8 Frozen Pipes
Winter days in Granbury, TX are relatively mild; therefore, many homeowners don’t have the outdoor pipes wrapped in heat tape to prevent freezing. Winter nights, on the other hand, can get very cold. If the nighttime temperature drops below 20 degrees for just a few hours, the pipes can freeze, which is a serious and emergent problem.
When the pipes freeze, the water inside will freeze and expand, which could cause the pipes to burst, which is the worst-case scenario. Burst pipes can cause a significant flood in your home, causing major water damage and mold growth.
If you try to turn on the water on a freezing night and nothing comes out, your pipes have likely frozen, and you should call an emergency plumber right away. A plumbing professional can thaw the pipes quickly and safely, preventing them from bursting.
Why Choose Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth?
If you have a plumbing problem and need to hire a licensed plumbing company, call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth. We are a full-service, family-owned, and operated plumbing company, serving customers in the area for many years.
Our plumbers are professionally trained, experienced, licensed, and insured and can handle any plumbing problem. If you have a plumbing issue that cannot wait or we aren’t in the office, don’t panic. We provide emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and will do our best to get someone to your home as quickly as possible.
We understand that your time is valuable, and you don’t have hours to wait around for a plumber. Unlike many plumbing companies, we guarantee our plumbers will arrive on time. To schedule an appointment for a plumbing service, give us a call or book online.