8 Signs You Need To Call A Plumbing Service | Midlothian, TX
Photo By Yuriy Pozdnikov at istock
Have you ever considered how often the plumbing system in your Midlothian, TX home is in use? If you really pay attention, you will see that your family uses the plumbing system many times a day. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average person uses about 82 gallons of water per day. This is a lot of water, and you have to turn the water on multiple times a day to reach 82 gallons. When the water runs and you flush the toilet, you rely on your home’s drainage system every time to remove the water and waste from the home. In addition, your water-based appliances need water to function properly.
Because you rely on your plumbing system so many times a day, the last thing you want is for an issue to arise that affects your ability to use the plumbing system.
Unfortunately, plumbing issues are not uncommon. Some are relatively minor, while some issues can be more complex. If there is an issue with your plumbing system, simple daily tasks will be difficult or impossible.
If you have a plumbing issue, attempting a DIY repair to save money isn’t the best idea. Your plumbing system is complex, and it takes someone with professional training to repair the problem correctly. It takes one minor mistake to cause more damage to the plumbing system, and the repair could cost more than it would if you had called a plumber in the first place.
If your plumbing system is experiencing any of the following issues, it is best to call a plumbing service right away. The longer you wait, the worse the issue will become.
#1 No Water
The most obvious sign you need to call a plumbing service is if there is no water coming from the fixtures in your home. A lack of water is an emergency because you can’t perform simple daily tasks in your home without running water.
Before you make the call, check your records to be sure your water bill has been paid. In addition, call your local water supply or check their website to ensure there isn’t a widespread water outage. If everything checks out, it is time to call a plumbing company. A lack of running water is an emergency because you cannot perform many daily tasks without water; therefore, you should make the call right away.
There are a few issues that can cause a lack of water.
- A major leak: A major leak somewhere in your Midlothian, TX home can cause a lack of water. You should check all areas of the home for pooling water or water spots on the ceiling or walls. If there is a major leak, it is essential that you schedule an appointment with a plumbing service immediately. The longer you wait, the worse the water damage will be. In addition, mold can grow in the area, which is difficult to eradicate. A plumbing company will send a tech to your home to perform a leak detection so they can find the leak and make the necessary repair.
- Water main valve issues: A faulty water main valve can prevent water from coming from the taps. This is a serious issue and should be repaired immediately.
- An issue with the electric water pump: If you use well water rather than water from the public supply, the issue could be with the water pump. If it isn’t functioning properly, water cannot be drawn from the ground, and you won’t have water coming from the taps.
- Frozen pipes: When it is freezing outside, the water in the pipes can freeze, which will prevent water from coming from the taps.
Because there are so many issues that can cause a lack of water, it is best to call a plumbing service. You will need a professional to diagnose the issue and make the necessary repair.
#2 Leaks
A leak in your plumbing system can be very damaging to your home. If there is water pooling under the kitchen or bathroom sink, the water can damage the inside of the cabinet or vanity and can leak to the floor below. Water spots on the wall or ceiling are also a sign of a leak somewhere in the home, and you should call an emergency plumber.
A plumber can use a drain camera to get a good look at the pipes. They can also use acoustic listening devices such as ground microphones or listening discs to help them find the leak.
Waiting to call a plumber is a bad idea because the water damage will worsen, and mold growth can occur.
#3 Dripping Faucet
A dripping faucet may not seem like a big deal; however, it is more serious than you think. Although the faucet is just dripping, you can still waste a significant amount of water. A dripping faucet can waste over 11 gallons of water per day and over 330 gallons per month. This amount of wasted water can cause a significant increase in your water bills and is harmful to the environment.
There are a few issues that can cause a faucet to drip, such as a worn washer, a damaged O ring, or the faucet has reached the end of its lifespan. You will need to have a plumbing service come to your Midlothian, TX home to inspect the faucet. A professional can determine whether a replacement part will solve the problem or if replacing the faucet is the best option.
#4 Toilet Issues
Issues with the toilet in your Midlothian, TX home can be very frustrating. There are a couple of toilet issues that would require a call to an emergency plumbing service.
- Toilet clog: A clogged toilet is inconvenient because you cannot use the toilet until the clog is removed. If you only have one bathroom, a clog is even more serious because you can’t go to the bathroom in your own home.
Many clogs can be removed with a plunger. If the plunger isn’t working, you will need to call an emergency plumbing service. Plungers cannot remove very large clogs or clogs that are located far down the drain pipe. A plumber will be able to remove the entire clog safely, allowing you to flush the toilet again.
- Running toilet: When you flush the toilet, it will run until the tank is full and ready for the next flush. If the toilet continues running even after the toilet tank is full, you should call a plumbing service. It is easy to ignore a running toilet because you only hear it in the bathroom. Just because it is easy to ignore this problem, you shouldn’t. A running toilet can waste over 4.5 gallons per minute and 684 gallons per month. This amount of wasted water can increase your water bill by up to $60 a day. If you allow the problem to continue this long, you will end up with a water bill that you cannot afford.
There are a few issues that can cause a toilet to run constantly, such as a broken flapper, the float height needs to be adjusted, the refill tube could be too long, the tank’s seal could be failing, or the toilet may have reached the end of its lifespan. Because so many issues can cause this problem, it is best to call a plumbing service. A plumber can inspect the toilet to figure out why it is running and make the necessary repairs.
#5 Water Heater Issues
Although the water heater in your Midlothian, TX home is technically an appliance, it is still an essential part of your plumbing system. The water heater stores heated water in the tank, so it is available when you need it. Because you rely on hot water for many household tasks, it is essential that you call a plumbing service if the water heater is experiencing any of the following issues.
- You have no hot water.
- The water isn’t hot enough.
- You run out of hot water frequently.
- Strange sounds coming from the water heater
- Discolored hot water
- Foul-smelling hot water
- Moisture or water pooling around the water heater
Your water heater is very complex; therefore, trying to fix the issue yourself is a bad idea. If you make a mistake during a DIY repair, you can end up doing more damage. In addition, if your water heater is still under warranty, a DIY repair will void the warranty, and you will need to pay for any future repairs.
It is best to call a plumbing service to repair the water heater. Plumbers are experts in water heater repair, and if you hire a plumbing service, your warranty will remain valid.
#6 Discolored Water
When you turn on the water in your home, it should come out clean and clear. If the water has a brownish tint, you should call an emergency plumbing service.
If the hot water is brown and the cold water is clear, the issue is with the water heater. If the hot and cold water is discolored, it is a plumbing issue.
Over time, the pipes can corrode, and the rust and corrosion can contaminate the water. The issue could also be due to a leak in the underground pipe.
A plumbing service can figure out what is contaminating the water so the issue can be resolved. It is best to avoid using the water until the problem is fixed because it isn’t safe to use contaminated water. If you absolutely must use the water, you should boil it first.
#7 Drain Clogs
Drain clogs can be a major hassle. Over time, grease, food, hair, and soap can create a clog in the drain, causing the water to drain slowly. A slow drain can cause the sink to fill with water, and if the tub drain is clogged, you will find yourself standing in several inches of water by the time you are finished showering.
You may be tempted to try a liquid drain cleaner to remove the clog in hopes of saving money on the cost of a plumber. Unfortunately, this is not the best idea. You can’t be sure if the drain cleaner removed the entire clog, and if it didn’t, it won’t be long before the water starts draining slowly again. Also, these products contain harsh chemicals that can damage the pipes.
A plumbing service will send a plumber to your home with a drain camera to find the location of the clog and determine the size. This information will help them remove the entire clog safely.
If the drain is clogged completely and the water won’t go down, you will need to call an emergency plumbing service. You cannot use the sink or tub until the clog is removed; therefore, you need to have the clog removed right away.
#8 Frozen Pipes
Winters in Midlothian, TX are relatively mild; therefore, many homeowners don’t wrap the pipes in heated tape. When a cold front rolls in or there is a cold snap, the temperature at night can quickly drop below freezing, causing the pipes to freeze. Frozen pipes are a serious problem, and you should call an emergency plumbing service as soon as you suspect the pipes have frozen.
When the water in the pipes freezes, it expands, which can cause the pipes to burst, causing a major flood in your home. A plumber can thaw the pipes quickly and safely, preventing disaster from occurring.
Why Choose Bahama Plumbing?
If you have a plumbing issue and want to work with the best plumbing service around, call Bahama Plumbing. We are a family-owned and operated plumbing company with over 40 years of combined experience.
Our plumbers are professionally trained, highly skilled, licensed, and insured. We can handle any job you have for us, whether it is a simple repair or something more complex.
If a plumbing issue arises and we aren’t open, don’t panic. We provide emergency service and are here for you 24/7.
To schedule an appointment for plumbing service, give us a call today.