Blog

Photo By Oksana Kuzmina at Shutterstock

Because of the advances in modern plumbing, it’s easy to take it for granted. We just expect it to always be in working order when we need it. So, when a problem arises with your plumbing system, you know you need to get it fixed as quickly as possible. After all, the smooth running of your Burleson, TX home or business depends on it.

There are some minor plumbing repairs that you can handle yourself, but for a serious problem, you need to contact a licensed plumber you can trust. So, how can you tell whether you need a plumber? Here are some of the most frequent plumbing issues, along with some advice on whether to act on it or wait for a professional plumber to arrive.

Low Water Pressure

When you turn on the faucet or shower, you expect the water to gush out with force. If yours only produce a weak flow, you have low water pressure.

What causes low water pressure? While the problem could lie with the city water supply, it is more likely due to deposits on the faucet aerators and inside the shower heads. The aerators are screens that are located just inside the end of the faucet. As sediment gathers, it begins to block the flow of water, slowing its force.

So, how do these deposits get there in the first place? The water that enters the pipes contains dissolved minerals. These minerals collect on the metal surfaces of the screens and shower heads, creating a blockage.

Faucet aerators can be removed and cleaned. But if you are having a lot of problems with sediment, you may want to consider a water filtration system. This would keep the minerals deposits from reaching the aerators and shower heads.

If you are still experiencing low water pressure after removing the sediment, you may have a pipe leaking somewhere. Your best option in this situation may be to call a licensed plumber in Burleson, TX to track down the leak and repair the problem.

Drippy Faucets

We’ve all heard that sound at some point. It starts out as a gentle tap and turns into a staccato aggravation that seems to echo through the house at night. But few of us know what causes a faucet to drip.

The water coming into your home needs pressure to make it move. When you turn off the faucet, washers create a seal that keeps the water from continuing to flow. These washers are made of silicone or rubber and over time they begin to break down. Soon, they cannot form a complete seal against the water and water pushes through the gaps, becoming a drip.

That annoying drip is more than just an irritating noise. Each drop that falls down the drain is raising your water bill and wasting precious resources. But it couldn’t be costing very much, could it? Think again.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has provided a drip calculator to show how much water is wasted with even a slight drip. In a home with four faucets that only drip three times per minute, a gallon of water is wasted every day. As the washer material breaks down further, the loss becomes greater. The same homeowner with ten drips every minute wastes 1,388 gallons of water annually.

Toilets that Won’t Stop Running

If you’ve ever had to jiggle the toilet handle to make it stop running, you know what a nuisance it is. When this happens, it could be because the working parts in the toilet tank are not working. Replacing the float, flapper, and fill tube is pretty simple, with the purchase of a toilet repair kit.

In some cases, however, replacement of the inner working parts doesn’t fix the problem. Sediment can be the cause of a running toilet. Silent leaks can also cause your water bill to be unusually high.

Besides costing more money, a running toilet wastes a lot of water. Using the USGS drip calculator, you can get an idea of your water loss. A small leak dripping at a rate of once per second wastes 2,082 gallons of water annually. In terms of financial loss, a single running toilet can cost an additional $50 to $70 monthly. That adds up to $600 or more in water bills thrown down the drain… literally.

Leaky Pipes

Leaks usually occur at the joints of your pipes. Typically, a puddle of water will appear under the leaking pipe. If the pipe is under a sink, the repair isn’t difficult, but it is a messy job. For those who aren’t comfortable doing the repair themselves, or simply don’t want to deal with the mess, a licensed Burleson, TX plumber should be called.

Like other plumbing issues, leaking pipes waste water, as well as your hard-earned money. However, not all leaking pipes are easily accessed. You may have a pipe leaking underneath the house and not know about it for some time. As more water gathers and soaks the foundation, you run the risk of serious structural damage. It is important to look for puddles around your house, wet flooring or walls, and high water bills you can’t account for. If you do, you need to contact a professional plumber immediately.

Slow-Moving or Clogged Drains

If, when you run water, it doesn’t want to drain out, it is most likely due to a clog somewhere in the pipes. If the clog is only partially obstructing the pipe, the water will drain very slowly, whereas a complete blockage will act as a stopper for the water. Try plunging the drain a few times to see if the water starts to flow. If this doesn’t work, you can try using a chemical drain cleaner.

If the clog persists, or returns consistently, you may have a more serious problem that only a professional Burleson, TX plumber can fix.

Finding a Plumber, You Can Trust

When you need a professional plumber in Burleson, TX, you need to make sure you have one that is skilled, licensed, and insured. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is ready to help you with all your plumbing repair, replacement, and installation needs. We can fix your residential and commercial plumbing woes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.