There are many reasons why you may want to let a plumber handle your home plumbing issues, beginning with the fact that most homeowners are not licensed plumbers. While that is obvious, many handy homeowners need to be reminded that they lack the experience, know-how, and education that a licensed plumber carries with them. Regardless of how skilled you think you are, you will never be as skilled as someone who completed schooling and finished an apprenticeship. That alone is the most important reason that you should always let a professional handle your home plumbing issues in Arlington, TX, but it is not the only reason.
In fact, there are plenty of other great convincing reasons why you should call a plumber if you suspect that something is wrong with your home plumbing system. However, you don’t have to take our word for it, you can check out this list and get a better idea of why it is always a good idea to call a plumber if you have any worries about your plumbing system. Sometimes it is also a good idea to have a plumbing inspection to keep an eye on problems as well. Here are just a few things you need to know about plumbing in your home.
What Is Your Responsibility as a Homeowner?
Most people don’t think much about plumbing until it becomes a problem, which is usually why the first question is what the homeowner is actually responsible for. The answer, however, may not be what you think. There are actually a lot of components that you are responsible for that you may not be aware of. Outside of the plumbing inside of your home, you are also responsible for the main sewer line that runs out of your home and the main water line that runs up to your Arlington, TX home.
A lot of people don’t know that they are responsible for this line, not the city and not the water company. They either don’t even think about the existence of the water mains until there is a problem, or they assume that the water company has to pay for them. However, it unfortunately does not work that way. You actually own the homes that run under your property line, and if something rots, fails, protrudes, or becomes unsettled, you are responsible for the plumbing bill.
Once you know this, the idea of having a plumber out to look at your property and assess the condition of your plumbing will not seem as wild as it once did. In fact, it will probably start to seem like a great idea to get ahead of any repairs so that you can budget for them and also take action before anything terrible happens. This leads us to our next point, which is how a plumber can help you by performing an annual inspection on your plumbing system.
What Is Plumbing Maintenance?
As a homeowner in Arlington, TX, there are a lot of annual tasks that you have to take care of. It is recommended that most homeowners have their HVAC system serviced once a year, have their hot water tank serviced once a year, etc. In fact, the list can start to get so long that you start to miss a few of the recommendations. While it is easy to get overwhelmed by all of the responsibilities of a homeowner, one thing you don’t want to let slip is your plumbing maintenance.
Every plumber has nightmare stories of small leaks turning into huge structural dangers. The problem with plumbing is that when something goes wrong, water damage often occurs along with the issue. Water is the lifeline of the human body, but it is also one of the most naturally destructive forces that can attack your home. You want to work hard so that your home doesn’t become a story for another plumber, and you can do this by keeping up with regular plumbing maintenance within your Arlington, TX home.
As you have just learned, the plumbing system within your home is quite large, so plumbing maintenance and plumbing inspection cover a wide berth of things as well. While what is covered in your plumbing inspection will vary based on the plumber you choose to use in Arlington, TX, in general, there are a few things that usually fall under the scope of inspections.
These things include the maintenance and inspection of a home septic system (if your home is not connected to the city sewage main), servicing appliances that are water-based (such as the water heater, dishwasher, garbage disposal, etc.), and checking for plumbing leaks. While the plumber is in your home, they will also probably check your water pressure and inspect your drains for partial clogs, which they can do by watching water run through the visible drains in your home.
If they notice any issues that appear to be linked to something else that is concerning, then they will probably investigate more. Otherwise, the plumber will write you a detailed report and offer you an acceptable timeframe to wait for your next inspection. This is a great way to ensure that you are keeping up with the needs of your home plumbing system without guessing what your home may or may not need.
Top Signs You Have a Plumbing Issue
Of course, even with the best plumbing maintenance, sometimes things will happen, and you will need a plumber at an odd time of day or night. When that happens, you want to make sure you recognize that something is wrong so that you can get help to your home promptly. You also want to make sure that you identify the need to call for professional help instead of attempting to fix the problem alone.
There are many things that can go wrong with your plumbing system, but the following are a few that happen regularly. All of these things should best be solved with the assistance of a professional plumber in Arlington, TX. Remember that this is not a complete list, so if you need help with something that is not on this list, trust your gut instinct and call a plumbing company. You will never regret getting a professional to help you, but you may regret attempting to do something on your own when it goes sideways on you.
Sinks Are Slow to Drain
This is a pretty easy plumbing issue to spot, but it is one that you should not ignore. You can stop using a sink for a period of time, but eventually, the problem will appear in other places in your home.
Sudden Drop in Low Water Pressure
A drop in water pressure usually indicates a problem somewhere else in the home. It can be an issue with your water main, or it can be an issue with your hot water heater. A professional can quickly get to the bottom of it.
Water Is Gurgling In Your Drains
The bottom line is water should never be gurgling in your drains. If you notice sinks gurgle after they drain, then you need to investigate the cause.
Water Is Starting to Backup
Any backup is a step away from a flood or a disgusting sewage issue, make sure to have this problem promptly looked at.
Burst Pipes
A burst pipe is always cause for an emergency plumbing service. After you get your water main turned off, you need to call for help immediately.
No Hot Water
Usually, this is linked to your hot water heater, but many times the problem can be repaired if you take prompt action.
No Water at All
If there is not a municipal issue, then you need to get help to troubleshoot this issue immediately.
Toilet Is Overflowing
This is not only a gross situation to find yourself in but can lead to flood damage if you don’t act quick.
Water Heater Is Making Noises
Your water heater should never make any noise. So if you notice that it has started you need to act right away to get help before it breaks down.
Sewage Smells In Your Drains
Sewage smells indicate a backup at some point down the drain; acting quickly can help fix the problem before a partial clog becomes complete.
5 Reasons You Need to Call a Plumbing Service
Now that you know when to call a plumber, it is time to learn why you need to call a plumber and not attempt to handle the situation alone. It is one thing to unclog a toilet with a plunger; it is another thing to troubleshoot why a toilet is continuing to overflow or back up daily. With that in mind, here are the top five reasons you need to call a plumbing service.
Multiple Solutions to a Problem
Sometimes plumbing issues are not cut and dry. For instance, there are a dozen things that can cause a drain to back up, and there are half a dozen reasons why your water pressure may have dropped. It can be hard to diagnose plumbing issues because there are so many different things that can cause plumbing issues. This is where the discerning eye of a trained and experienced plumber can really help. Instead of wasting time trying out potential solutions, they will quickly sort to the root of the problem and get it solved for you.
They Are Insured
One of the major benefits of working with a licensed Arlington, TX plumber is that they are insured and bonded, which you are most likely not. If something happens to your plumbing system while they are working on it then they are legally responsible for paying for and correcting the problem. On the other hand, if something happens while you are working on your own plumbing, then it will be your mess to clean up.
As you may have guessed, since you are not trained, something is more likely to go wrong if you work on the problem on your own as well. With that in mind, the extra protection that comes from hiring a professional is oftentimes worth the few extra dollars.
They Already Have the Right Tools
A lot of people think that DIY plumbing jobs will save them money, but actually, the opposite is often true. Plumbing jobs require a lot of customized tools- and these are tools that the average homeowner does not have. That means you will need to go purchase certain tools before you can begin a plumbing task in your home. When you add up what you spend on parts and the tools, oftentimes, you hardly save anything at all by handling the task on your own, but you still lose your time. In this scenario, it makes more practical sense to spend the money on a professional plumbing company that can leave you with peace of mind when they leave.
Professional Training
A lot of people don’t realize how much training goes into becoming a professional within the plumbing industry. Most people who work for plumbing companies have to undergo extensive training working as an apprentice for many years before they can reach Master status. Like any specialized job position, working with a professional means getting professional results that will last. In addition, if you work with a professional, then you can include this down the line if you choose to sell your home. A potential buyer will take a plumber’s notes seriously; they will not take your own.
They Are Experienced
As mentioned before, some common plumbing problems have a lot of potential causes, and sometimes it is easy to figure out the cause, and sometimes it is not. Even professionals can sometimes struggle, which is where experience comes into play. A professional who has spent a lot of time helping your neighbors can rely on his or her instinct to quickly get to the root of a problem. You will appreciate that ability when it is your plumbing issue that needs to be quickly resolved.
If you are experiencing a plumbing issue and are looking for a great plumbing service, call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth today. Our sales staff will arrange an appointment and get you squared away promptly.