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If you’re considering whether or not a problem is big enough for you to call a plumber, chances are it is. Unfortunately, taking too long to have it addressed can result in the problem getting even bigger and, as a consequence, costlier to fix. In Pantego, TX, we’re who to call. Any of these five things is a sure sign that you need to call a plumber.
1. Gurgling
Obviously, toilets, sinks and pipes aren’t meant to gurgle. When they do, that means there’s a problem, and the full scope of the problem is impossible to measure unless a professional does a thorough assessment. If you hear gurgling while you using the toilet or doing your laundry, that’s one of the first signs of a compromised or clogged drain.
Likewise, if your toilet is gurgling while it’s not being used, that means that it’s struggling for air. Sometimes that can also mean that it’s only a matter of time before you start to experience a backup.
After hearing the sound while you use dishwasher or washing machine, your next immediate action should be to turn it off to avoid the system backing up into the house. Next, you should call a plumber to have a look. We can help if you’re in Pantego, TX.
2. Hearing Water in the Pipes
Something else that isn’t supposed to happen is the pipes making a sound loud enough for you to hear. If you can hear water in the pipes even while no one’s using it, that usually points to a leak.
You can try looking for signs that can help you to easily confirm this. They include wet or brown spots on floors, ceilings or walls. Finding them means you almost certainly have a leak. A warm wet spot means you’ve also found the exact point of the leak.
Telling your plumber where you found the leak can help to make their job easier while also saving you a bit of money as they won’t have to look for it themselves.
Water running in the toilet means the repair won’t be too difficult, and it may be as simple as replacing a damaged or worn flapper. Hissing noises, however, may foreshadow worn tank components. In this case, the cheapest option is often a full replacement.
3. Low Water Pressure
This isn’t always a major cause for concern, but it’s better to be safe than sorry, as they say. When it’s just gunk in the faucet aerator, that means it’s not a big deal. It can be fixed very easily by screwing off the aerator, cleaning the gunk and the screwing back on. You can call a plumber for this too if you’re not a DIY person.
Doing that might not always work, and that means you need to call a professional. The reasons why you might be experiencing low water pressure are numerous. Some common possibilities include fractured pipes, a water leak and an eroded waterline. We help households in Pantego, TX, with these problems.
4. Slow Draining
If either your kitchen or sink is taking longer than normal to drain, that’s a sign that you need to call a plumber. Putting the problem off might lead to it getting worse, and in some cases that may mean flooding. Delayed repairs are usually also more expensive, and they carry a greater cost to your convenience as they take longer.
That’s the same for your tub and toilet. Of course, you can try using a plunger and other over-the-counter options just to make sure it’s not a problem you can easily fix yourself. If those, fail, however, you can call us to take care it for you if you’re in Pantego, TX.
5. Smelling Sulfur, Gas or Sewage
A nasty smell is never a good sign, and it can often show you that things have gone horribly wrong. While it can be the result of a large number of factors, the most common is broken vent or sewer pipe. The odor tends to get stronger with time, which is why having it fixed as soon as you spot it is always the best choice. If you notice any odd smells, calling the plumber as soon as possible is advisable.
The same goes for gas. The scent is added to it to alert you that something’s wrong, so it’s not something to take lightly. The moment you catch a whiff of gas, you shouldn’t waste any time in calling either your utility company or your plumber. It’s the best option for both your convenience and your safety.
6. Your Faucet Keeps Dripping
While this may not seem like a big issue at first, when you think the sheer amount of water that gets wasted by a dripping tap, you realize that it’s a big problem. Fixing can be easy sometimes, and tightening the faucet does the trick.
Other times, however, it’s a much more complicated problem and you might find that no matter how much elbow grease you put into tightening the faucet, it just won’t stop dripping. In that case, you’re better off calling the plumber. It helps if you’ve done a bit of your own investigation, as that means you can easily tell the plumber what you think the problem is. Most plumbers charge hourly so that’ll save you some money.
If you’re in Pantego, TX, and your dripping faucet hasn’t given in to your attempts at tightening, give us a call.
Some of the plumbing problems you might be facing might not seem like issues at first, but given enough time they will become much more troublesome. Benjamin Franklin Plumber offers a service that can help you to fix them and ensure that everything is working as it should. If you notice any of the six signs above, it’s better to give us a call sooner rather than later.