Plumbers at the Right Time: When Home Repairs Need Professional Help

Hair in the shower drain or a faulty washer in a tap are simple problems and often worth trying to repair before calling a plumber. However, when several areas of a home have issues, it can point to problems with the home’s overall plumbing system that need professional diagnosis.

Some symptoms can be a cause for concern:

• Water drains slowly throughout a building.
• Water pressure drops consistently or in certain areas.
• Odd smells or drainage issues are coming from the drain field, toilets, or drains in general.
• A toilet is leaking around the base.
• There’s gurgling in pipes after flushing a toilet.
• There are signs of moisture or dampness that can’t be explained.

It’s possible to overlook minor leaks, but when they start dripping behind walls or under flooring it can lead to structural damage, mold, rotting wood, and pest issues.

Hidden Leak Warning Signs

A quick check of the meter, which the EPA covers at www.epa.gov/watersense, can help identify leaks. If the meter is moving when nothing is on, there could be leaks somewhere in the pipes. Also, when a water bill jumps unexpectedly, a leak may be to blame.

A leaky water heater isn’t something to ignore either. The source of the leak could be from the water heater tank itself. In addition to a professional being able to pinpoint leaks, they may be able to find hidden leaks without tearing walls apart - more on this company if you want that route.

Other signs of hidden leaks include:

• Warm or wet spots on flooring.
• Stains on walls and ceilings.
• Hearing a constant trickle or running water.
  
  

Drain Blockages

Household drain pipes

If several drains are clogged, it’s more likely it could be a clogged main drainage line. However, even when it’s just one drain, there are other factors to consider.

If water rises in a shower when the toilet flushes, how far into the drainage system is the blockage?

Deeper Obstructions

It may not be as simple as a toilet clog. If there’s a blockage further down in the plumbing system, the clogged toilet is a symptom.

When a blockage is deeper down in the plumbing system, repeated visits from a professional may be the result if the issue is incorrectly diagnosed.

Clogged drains may seem like an easy fix with a plunger or store-bought drain cleaner, but it only works with blockages closer to the fixture. Blockages deeper down the line or blockages caused by scale, tree roots, and shifting soil may require more advanced drainage services. Food, grease, hair, and any substance that shouldn’t be flushed can lead to blockages.

If you have a clogged drain that keeps clogging up, that may not be a repair problem, but a diagnosis problem.

Drainage issues need a good look at any nearby cleanouts to make sure there’s enough access. Some local regulations may need to be considered, including venting, backflow issues, and any other local codes.

Before approving major work, verify if camera inspection is an option. Ask if a written scope of work is available and if a permit is required.

Documenting the locations of buried lines is a good idea in case you want to do some digging in the future. Landscaping, fences and other modifications can result in damage to lines that weren't previously documented.

Urgent Plumbing Repairs

Low water pressure throughout the house could point to issues within the system that should be checked by a professional.

Possible causes could be a main water supply issue, buildup of minerals in older piping, and pressure regulation problems.

When plumbing issues are left unresolved, it can lead to damage. In some cases, it’s better to proactively replace parts that have reached the end of their lifespans to avoid emergency call-outs.

Some issues need the water shutoff immediately, including:

• Burst pipes.
• Sewer backups.
• Water heaters that smell odd or have a discolored flame.
• Any leaks that are occurring near electrical appliances.
• A toilet that keeps overflowing.

While homeowners can shut off water to stop water damage, they may still need a professional to resolve the underlying problem.

"If one section of your pipe needs replacing, it’s not out of the question that others may need replacing as well, depending on the cause of the initial failure."

If a professional has been hired to take care of plumbing issues, preparation can make the diagnosis process go quicker. Homeowners should provide as much information as possible. It could be helpful to know when problems first started, if anything has been renovated, or if any excavation was done.

Clearing space under sinks or around pipes to make them more accessible can be helpful too. It’s also a good idea to make sure the main shutoff valve is easy to find and that no one has stacked heavy items on top of it. Everyone in the household should know the location of the shutoff valve, just in case.