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New and experienced homeowners alike can struggle with spotting some telltale signs that something within their plumbing isn’t quite as it should be. This is made an even more difficult affair by the fact that some warning signs are very on-the-surface and easy to see, while others tend to be a little more hidden, needing a trained plumber eye to single them out.
Whatever the plumbing problem that may be about to wreak havoc in your Arlington, TX, home is, it’s a great idea to learn some of the giveaways that can help you to know when it’s time to phone in a plumber. The issue can certainly be stopped from causing any problems if it’s caught out in good time and handled with some reliable expertise. The longer it takes for the issue to be dealt with, the longer the time it will take to fix it. More worryingly, the more costly it may become to have your plumbing repaired.
There are dozens of problems that may need you to call a plumber at any given point, so you won’t necessarily be able to pick out the signs for all of them. A good rule of thumb is simply to call a plumber whenever you start experiencing signs that something may be amiss. Otherwise, the following will prove a good guide.
1. Sudden Uptick in Water Bills
If your water bill goes up unexpectedly, with no reasonable pointers as to what may be causing that, such as increased laundry, installation of a pool or anything like that, there might be a plumbing problem you haven’t yet noticed. Common plumbing problems that tend to produce this effect include a leaking toilet, leaking pipes or a dripping faucet. Look into all of these first to make sure the issue is not something that has been staring you right up the nose.
It’s important not to get alarmed at any increase in water bills, though, as some of them are completely reasonable. In the summer, for example, many Arlington, TX, households report a slight increase in their bills, typically the result of homeowners getting a bit of gardening done with sprinklers or hose pipes to water their gardens. The Christmas period can show a similar sign, as most households will have regular visitors and guests coming in, meaning additional water is used up during showers, eating, drinking, flushing the toilet and other domestic uses.
If, however, the rise in bills doesn’t align with any reason for high water consumption, you ought to call a plumber to have it all checked out. The sooner you’re able to do this, the faster you can get rid of the plumbing problem, whatever it may be. Also, you’ll start saving on the excess charge you had been paying.
2. Strange Noises
Unusual noises from your drain or pipes are a clear sign that you have a problem underway. You’ll hear a range of odd sounds depending on the exact nature of your plumbing problem, but they all tend to fall under humming, banging, gurgling, whistling and rattling. The noise can certainly have an impact on your ability to simply relax in your Arlington, TX home, and calling a plumber is the surest way to reclaim some much-missed peace and quiet.
You’ll most likely hear banging noises when there’s a problem to do with water pressure. This is probably the result of trapped air bubbles or perhaps water hammers. You will be able to tell if it’s air bubbles if the sound starts immediately after you turn the faucet on. A water hammer, on the other hand, starts giving off noise just as you turn the faucet off.
Humming noises are almost always a sign that your water pressure is higher than what your system is able to deal with. As the water rushes through your pipes, it will cause them to vibrate, leading to the annoying humming noise you might be hearing. A high water pressure, left undealt with for too long, can start to cause even more structural damage to your plumbing system. Make sure you get a plumber to deal with this problem if you have been experiencing it.
Gurgling, while still a strange sound, is among the more usual sounds people tend to hear when it comes to issues with their plumbing. Most of the time, its simply due to a blocked pipe. There are a litany of products that may block your pipes, ranging from hair to soap. While it may be tempting to unblock the drain yourself, plenty can go wrong when you haven’t been trained for it. To ensure the best chance of undraining your block and keeping everything in one piece, get a plumber on the line.
You’ll hear rattling when the problem lies concealed behind walls, floors or ceilings. The reason is, in most cases, a fastener that secures pipes to the surface becoming loose or even falling off entirely.