According to the EPA, One trillion gallons of water gets wasted because of water leaks every year in the United States.
Look at your water bill. Is it higher than it used to be? If so, then your household may be contributing to this huge sum.
The good news is that fixing leaks saves you about 10% per month on your water bill. The bad news is, if you let the leak go for too long, then that probably isn’t the only problem you have.
Additionally, while leaks may be one of the most common plumbing issues you face, they aren’t the only ones. And because most of your plumbing is hidden in walls you may not know there is an issue until it is too late.
But if the problem is hidden, how do you even know you have an issue? Is it something you can fix yourself? How are you supposed to know when to call a plumber?
Stallion Plumbing and Drains has the answers you need, so read on to learn six signs you have a problem only a plumber can fix!
You are Using More Water than you Should be
One of the nifty things about your water bill is that it gives you a breakdown of how much water you use each month.
An average American household uses 9,125 gallons of water per month. If your water bill exceeds that amount then it is possible you have a leak.
You can also detect leaks by looking at your water meter. If are not using any water and the meter changes after a two hour period, there may be a leak.
If you inspect the exposed plumbing in your home and find no sign of a leak then it is probably hidden in your walls or under the foundation. This is a sure sign you need a plumber.
Water Backs up into Another Drain When You Flush Your Toilet
You are standing at your kitchen sink washing your dishes. One of the kids flushes the toilet and suddenly the basin starts to fill with water.
To start with, you might not think much of it, but then the smell hits you and you realize there is sewage everywhere.
It’s the nightmare everyone hopes they never have to deal with, but this can happen if your main sewer line gets clogged.
This is most often caused by tree roots growing into weak joints or pipe cracks. Other common causes include flushing too much toilet paper, feminine hygiene products or other foreign objects like toys down the toilet.
Sewage line clogs cannot be cleared with a plunger or snakes. You need a professional plumbing repair. So if water from one drain starts backing up into other parts of your home, your first thought should be, “I need to call a plumber now.”
Your Toilet Keeps Backing up
If your toilet backs up or overflows, you can usually plunge it and move on with your life. No big deal right?
Of course not!
More than likely someone just flushed too much toilet paper when they used it last time. But if it happens again soon after, you should definitely keep an eye on it.
If you clear a clogged toilet on your own, but it continues to back up several times over the course of a month or if other drains in your home start to clog as well, then it is another sign your main sewer line is clogged
Guess what? You need a plumber.
You Hear Gurgling Noises Coming Through Your Drains
If while you are brushing your teeth in the morning you hear a strange gurgling noise coming from your sink, that’s the sound of air trapped in your pipes. This is yet another sign your main sewer line could be clogged.
If your pipes have always made this noise and you don’t have any other plumbing problems, you are probably fine. But if this is a new sound or it starts getting worse it warrants further investigation.
Run water through the sink or tub closest to your toilet for about one minute. If you hear that same bubbling noise coming from your toilet, that’s your cue to call a plumber.
Low Water Pressure
Most people just live with it and often it is little more than an inconvenience. But if you have stainless steel pipes, low water pressure can also be a sign of a much larger issue.
Stainless steel pipes look great on the outside, but it is nothing short of a clever facade, especially if they are old. Over time, the insides of galvanized steel pipes rust. They build up with corrosion and scale that slowly chokes the pipes until the water can no longer pass through.
When it comes to replacing the guts of your plumbing network, it is usually best to leave it to a professional.
You guessed it. Call a plumber.
A Good Water Heater Gone Bad
Your water heater will inevitably go out and when it does, it will probably be in the dead of winter. It may be tempting to go out there and try to fix it yourself, but is it really a good idea?
Many water heaters run off both gas and electricity.
The good news is, if you mess up, you won’t have to worry about it anymore. The bad news is, you could be homeless. Or worse.
Don’t risk it. Call your friendly neighborhood plumber and let them take care of it for you.
When to Call a Plumber Vs. Doing it Yourself
There are many things you can repair yourself around the home, including some minor plumbing issues. The problem is that when you make a mistake in plumbing, things get expensive fast.
Is it really a good idea to leave it up to a YouTube video and a DIY toolbag?
Whether your pipes need a good cleaning or your kitchen sink looks more like a geyser, Stallion Plumbing and Drains is here to help. We know you take your plumbing problems seriously and so do we.
Don’t wait until you have a bigger problem. Contact us today.
If you have any questions about when to call a plumber, feel free to ask them in the comments below and we will answer them for you as soon as possible.
Thanks for the details! It’s important for the homeowner to be able to have basic knowledge, attentiveness and awareness to this kind of situation to be able to get professional help.
I like how you specified that a gurgling noise should not be coming from your drain and that it means there is air trapped in the pipes. This noise is not very common so once it is heard a homeowner should call a plumber as soon as possible. Thank you for explaining in which situation you should call a plumber.