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A properly functioning plumbing system is essential for your daily life. The plumbing system in your Mansfield, TX home is made up of four parts.

1. Pipes and fittings: Your plumbing system runs to every room with a sink, bathtub, and toilet. The pipes run through the home, and the fittings keep the pipes attached securely and deliver water to all the fixtures.
2. Plumbing fixtures: The plumbing fixtures connect to the pipes to provide access to the water supply. The fixtures include sinks, toilets, bathtubs, washing machines, and dishwashers.
3. Drainage system: the drainage system is responsible for removing water and waste from the home.

If any part of your plumbing system fails or malfunctions, simple daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, bathing, and even flushing the toilet can be impossible.

DIY plumbing repairs aren’t recommended because your plumbing system is very complex. If you make a minor mistake, you could do more harm and will need a plumber to fix your error and the initial issue, which will be more expensive than if you had called a professional in the first place.

If your plumbing system experiences any of the following issues, it’s best to call a licensed plumber right away.

#1 Drain Clogs

Many people are careful with what they put down the drain. You can avoid pouring food and grease down the drain; however, it can’t be helped when you wash the dishes. You can put a drain filter to prevent hair from clogging the drain; however, the filter won’t prevent soap scum and some hair from going down the drain. When this happens, a clog can form in the drain, causing the water to drain slowly. The longer the clog remains, the larger it will become, and the water won’t drain at all.

Many people try a liquid drain cleaner to remove the clog, but this isn’t the best idea. There is no guarantee the entire clog will be removed, it will get larger over time, and the water will start draining slowly again. In addition, these products contain harsh chemicals necessary to break up clogs and could cause considerable damage to the pipes in your home.

It is best to hire a licensed plumber to remove the drain clog. A professional can use one of a few methods to remove the entire clog, and the one they choose depends on the size of the clog and its location.

When the job is completed, you can be sure the entire clog has been removed safely.

#2 Toilet Clogs

It isn’t uncommon for the toilet in your Mansfield, TX home to become clogged. If someone flushes too much waste and toilet paper, it can clog the toilet. The same is true if someone flushes something that shouldn’t be flushed, such as baby wipes, a washcloth, or a child’s toy. When something clogs the toilet, trying to flush will result in an overflow.

In most cases, you can use a plunger to break up the clog enough that the toilet can be flushed. If the plunger isn’t effective, the clog will remain, and you can’t use the toilet until the clog is removed. This can be very frustrating, especially if you only have one bathroom, and you should call a licensed professional right away.

The plunger may not have worked because the clog is too large or solid for the plunger to have an effect. The same is true if the clog is located so far down the drainpipe for the plunger to have an impact.

A licensed plumbing professional can use a plumbing auger to remove the clog, also known as a plumbing snake. This tool can extend into the pipes to clear the obstruction without causing any damage. If the clog is too far down the drainpipe, the plumber may need to remove the toilet to reach the clog.

#3 Water Heater Issues

Although the water heater in your home is technically an appliance, it is also an essential part of your plumbing system. The water heater heats the water and stores it, so you have hot water when you need it.

If your water heater stops functioning correctly, it can affect your ability to use the hot water, and some issues can put your home at risk. If your water heater experiences any of the following problems, it’s best to call a licensed professional right away.

• No hot water: A lack of hot water could be due to a faulty heating element, or the water heater may have reached the end of its lifespan.
• Lukewarm water: If the water heater is nearing the end of its lifespan, it won’t function efficiently, and the water won’t get hotter than lukewarm. If the unit’s thermostat fails, the water won’t reach the desired temperature.
• You frequently run out of hot water: If you run out of hot water often, your water heater may not be large enough to handle your family’s hot water demand. The issue could also be due to large pieces of sediment in the tank, taking up space for water storage. Fortunately, a licensed plumbing professional can resolve either issue.
• Strange sounds: A banging sound indicates large pieces of sediment in the water tank and is banging against the sides. Ignoring the problem can cause a crack in the water tank that can flood your home. A popping sound also indicates sediment buildup, and when water gets trapped underneath, it will boil, causing the popping sound. A plumbing professional can try to flush the sediment, and if they can’t, you will need to replace the water heater.
• Poor hot water pressure: Poor hot water pressure occurs when sediment has built up in the waterline. A plumber can clear the waterline; however, if they cannot flush the sediment, the problem will reoccur; therefore, you would need to replace the water heater.
• Rust-colored hot water: If the hot water coming from your taps is rust-colored, your water heater is likely to blame. When sediment builds up in the water tank, it can break apart and contaminate the water. If a licensed professional can’t flush the sediment, you will need to replace the water heater. If your unit is over ten years old, the inside of the tank could be breaking down, and pieces of metal and sediment will contaminate the water. This problem can’t be fixed, and your plumber will need to replace the appliance.
• Leaks: A leaking water heater requires a call to an emergency plumber. If the problem isn’t resolved quickly, 50+ gallons of water could flood your home.

Water heater issues should never go ignored, and it’s best to call a licensed professional right away. When the problem is resolved, you will have clean hot water coming from the taps.

#4 Reduced Water Pressure

Reduced water pressure is frustrating because simple daily tasks will take longer than necessary without adequate water pressure. Also, your water-based appliances rely on sufficient water pressure to function at peak performance.

If only the hot water pressure is poor, the issue is with the water heater. If the hot and cold water pressure is restricted, there is an issue with the plumbing system, requiring a call to a plumber.

There are several issues that can reduce the water pressure, including:

• A problem with the main shut-off 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 plumber can inspect your plumbing system to figure out what is restricting the water pressure. When the issue is resolved, the water pressure in your home will be restored.

#5 Rust-Colored Water

When you turn on the water in your Mansfield, TX home, it should be clear. If the water is rust-colored, it indicates contamination, and you should call a licensed plumber right away.

Over time, your pipes can rust and become corroded, and the rust and corrosion will contaminate the water. A licensed plumbing professional can inspect the plumbing system to find the affected pipe so it can be replaced, and you can safely use the water again.

#6 Dripping Faucet

Many people consider a dripping faucet a nuisance; however, it is a plumbing issue that can cost you money. According to the EPA, a faucet that drips 120 drops per minute can waste over 330 gallons of water per month, which can cause your water bill to increase significantly. Also, this amount of wasted water is harmful to the environment.

A few problems can cause a faucet in your Mansfield, TX home to drip, including:

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

A licensed plumber can check the faucet to figure out why it’s dripping so they can fix the problem or replace the faucet.

#7 Running Toilet

Your toilet should run immediately after you flush and should continue running until the tank is full. If your toilet continues running and doesn’t stop, you should call a plumbing service.

A running toilet can waste up to a gallon of water every hour, causing your water bills to increase significantly.

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

• Cracked or broken flapper
• The float height needs to be adjusted
• The refill hose needs to be shortened
• The toilet has reached the end of its lifespan

A licensed plumber can inspect the toilet to find the cause of the problem to make the necessary repair, and they can also replace the toilet if necessary.

#8 Leaking Pipes

The pipes in your Mansfield, TX home can leak due to age, corrosion, or loose-fitting. Leaking pipes are very serious because the leak can cause water damage and mold growth in your home. In addition, leaking pipes can affect the water pressure and can waste a considerable amount of water, causing your water bills to increase.

Leaks are often visible and can cause water to pool under the kitchen or bathroom sink. Water spots on the wall indicate a leak behind a wall, and a warm basement floor or damage to your home’s foundation indicate a leak under the house.

A licensed plumber can use leak detection equipment to find the location of the leak so they can replace the leaking pipe. If you call a plumbing company as soon as you suspect there is a leak, you can prevent significant water damage and mold growth.

#9 Frozen Pipes

It isn’t uncommon for the nighttime temperature in Mansfield, TX, to drop below 33 degrees, putting your pipes at risk of freezing. This is a very serious problem requiring a call to an emergency plumber. When the pipes freeze, the water in the pipes will freeze and expand, which can cause the pipes to burst and flood your home, resulting in significant damage.

A plumber can thaw the pipes quickly to prevent a disaster from occurring. After thawing the pipes, the plumber can wrap the pipes in heat tape to prevent the pipes from freezing again.

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 full-service plumbing company, serving customers in the area for years.

Our plumbers are professionally trained, highly qualified, licensed, and insured. They can handle any plumbing problem in your Mansfield, TX home, whether it’s something simple or complex.

We understand how essential your plumbing system is to your daily life, and we provide emergency plumbing service. If you have a problem that cannot wait, we will get a plumber to your home as quickly as possible.

Our plumbing professionals travel in fully-stocked vans, allowing them to make most repairs the same day. This will avoid a second appointment, which can be inconvenient due to your busy schedule.

To schedule an appointment for plumbing service, give us a call today.

Photo By zentilia at Shutterstock