8 Issues That Require A Call To A Plumbing Company | New Orleans, LA
Any plumbing problem, whether something simple or a major issue, can affect your ability to perform daily household tasks and make your life very inconvenient. The plumbing system consists of three parts, the water delivery system, the drainage system, and the fixtures. If something goes wrong with any part, things can get complicated.
Many handy homeowners attempt DIY plumbing repairs, usually to avoid the cost of hiring a plumber and taking time out of their lives for a service call. However, DIY repairs aren’t recommended because you need the training to detect and diagnose problems. You can make a mistake while making the repair without the necessary training and could end up doing more harm than good.
If your plumbing system experiences any of the following problems, it’s best to call a plumbing company in New Orleans, LA, and let a professional handle the job.
#1 Plumbing Leaks
A plumbing leak is the last thing any homeowner wants to deal with. When a pipe in your home leaks, you’ll waste a significant amount of water, causing your water bill to increase. Unfortunately, a high water bill is the least of your problems, and the leak will cause water damage and mold growth that can be expensive to repair. If there’s a significant leak in the pipe, it can affect your water pressure, and it’s best to call a plumbing company in New Orleans, LA, immediately.
Leaks occur when the pipes get old and begin to rust and decay, and the same is true if a joint becomes loose or the seal fails.
A leak under the sink or behind the wall is easy to detect because there will be visible signs. For example, a leak under the sink will result in standing water in the kitchen cabinet or bathroom vanity. A leaking pipe behind the wall will leave water spots on the wall in the area around the leak.
Unfortunately, some leaks are harder to detect, such as a leak under the house. You may not see any water or visible signs of water damage, but there are ways to tell if there’s a leak, including:
- The basement or first floor feels warm
- Puddles in the yard by the house, even though it hasn’t rained.
- Areas of the lawn near the house are lusher and greener than the rest of the lawn
- Reduced water pressure
- Brown or rust-colored water
- High water bills
If you suspect there’s a leak somewhere in the plumbing system, it’s best to call a plumbing company immediately. They will send a licensed plumber to repair the leak. If the plumber has trouble locating the affected pipe, they can use leak detection equipment to find it to make the necessary repair. The longer the pipe leaks, the more water damage will occur, so it’s best not to avoid the problem.
#2 Slow Drain
When you run the water, it should flow quickly down the drain. If the water drains slowly, it’s best to call a plumbing company. A small drain clog will cause the water to drain slowly, which can be a hassle when you do anything that requires the water to run. If the water doesn’t drain quickly, there’s a risk of an overflow. This problem can be quickly resolved, but not with a liquid drain cleaner. These products contain harsh chemicals designed to break up clogs and can cause damage to the drain. Also, there’s no guarantee the drain cleaner will remove the entire clog, and any remaining part will escalate to a significant clog, preventing the water from draining.
A plumbing company can send a plumber to your house to remove the entire clog safely. They can also use a drain camera to inspect the pipe to ensure no debris is left behind.
#3 A Complete Drain Clog
A significant clog can prevent the water from draining, resulting in standing water in the sink or tub, creating a problem in your household. When there’s standing water in the sink or tub, you won’t be able to use it until the clog is removed. Also, bacteria can grow in standing water, putting your family’s health at risk.
A plumbing company will send a tech to remove the entire clog, allowing the standing water to drain. This isn’t something you can ignore, and it’s best to make the call right away.
#4 Multiple Drain Clogs
If the water drains slowly or not at all in multiple fixtures in your home, it isn’t a coincidence. Multiple drain clogs indicate a clog in the sewer line, and you’ll need to call an emergency plumbing company. A clogged sewer line is a serious problem because if the clog becomes too large, there will be nowhere for the water and waste to go, and it will back up into your home, resulting in a nasty flood that could put your family’s health at risk.
A plumber can clear the sewer line, allowing the water and waste to exit the home, and the water will flow freely down the drain.
#5 Toilet Clog
In most cases, a clogged toilet isn’t a cause for concern. If someone flushes too much waste and toilet paper, it will cause a clog. The same is true if something is flushed that shouldn’t have been, such as paper towels, baby wipes, or a child’s toy.
Most toilet clogs can be resolved with a plunger, but if the clog is too solid, too large, or located too far down the drain pipe, the plunger won’t work, and you’ll need to call a plumbing company in New Orleans, LA. It’s best to make the call right away because you cannot use the toilet until the clog is removed. If you try to flush, the toilet will overflow, making a mess all over the bathroom floor. If you only have one bathroom, a toilet clog is a serious problem because you won’t be able to use the bathroom in your house.
A plumbing company in New Orleans, LA, will send a plumber to your home with the necessary equipment to remove the clog, so you can start using the toilet again. If the clog is located too far down the drain pipe, the plumber will remove the toilet to reach the clog safely.
#6 Running Toilet
Your toilet was designed to run when it’s flushed to fill the tank, preparing the toilet for the next flush. If your toilet continues running when the tank is full, you’ll need to hire a plumbing company in New Orleans, LA.
A toilet that runs constantly may seem like a minor nuisance, but it can be a very costly problem. In one day, a running toilet wastes up to 30 gallons of water per day and 900 gallons a month. The amount of wasted water will cause your water bills to increase dramatically, so it’s best to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.
A few issues can cause your toilet to run, including:
- Cracked or broken flapper
- Broken flapper chain
- The float height needs to be adjusted.
- The refill hose is too long.
- The toilet has reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced.
A plumbing company will send a plumber to your home to inspect the toilet, determine which issue is causing the toilet to run, and make the necessary repair. The longer you wait to make the call; the more money will be wasted on expensive water bills.
#7 Dripping Faucet
A dripping faucet may not seem like a big deal, but it’s a costly problem that requires a call to a plumbing company in New Orleans, LA.
A few issues can cause the faucet to drip, including a worn-out washer or gasket, a loose O ring, corrosion in the valve seat, or the faucet is old and needs to be replaced. Allowing the tap to continue dripping could worsen the problem, and the dripping will escalate to a steady stream you cannot turn off. Another reason to call a plumbing company right away is that a dripping faucet wastes water. In one day, a faucet that drips one drop per second wastes up to 11 gallons of water and 330 gallons per month. Not only will this cause your water bills to increase, but it is also harmful to the environment.
A plumbing company will send a tech to your home to look at the faucet and determine why it’s leaking, so they can make the necessary repair, and the dripping will stop.
#8 Water Heater Problems
Your water heater is an appliance, and it’s also an essential part of your plumbing system. The water coming into your home is cold and fills the water tank where it’s heated and stored, so you always have hot water when needed. If something goes wrong with the unit, it could affect the water temperature, your ability to use the water, and many other problems.
If your water heater experiences any of the following problems, it’s best to call a plumbing company immediately.
- You have no hot water, which could be due to a broken heating element. If the unit is over ten years old, it may have reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced.
- The water doesn’t get hotter than lukewarm, indicating an issue with the thermostat. If the unit is nearing the end of its lifespan, it may not function efficiently enough to keep the water heated to the desired temperature.
- You frequently run out of hot water, which could be due to a large amount of sediment in the tank, taking up room for water storage. Also, if the water tank is too small for your family’s hot water demand, you’ll often run out of hot water.
- Strange sounds are often due to sediment in the tank banging against the sides. There could also be water trapped beneath the sediment, which will make a popping sound when it boils.
- Poor hot water pressure indicates a clog in the waterline due to sediment buildup.
- Brown or rust-colored water indicates sediment in the tank contaminating the water. If the unit is over ten years old, the inside could be breaking down, and metal shards and minerals are contaminating the water.
- A pool of water around the unit indicates a leak in the tank, which can cause the contents of the water tank to flood your home.
It’s best to leave water heater repair to a plumbing company in New Orleans, LA. Water heaters are complex, and one simple mistake can cause further damage. Also, a DIY repair will void the unit’s warranty, so hiring a plumber is best. They will inspect the unit to determine what’s causing the problem, and the plumber will decide if the unit can be repaired or if replacing it is the best option.
Call bluefrog Home Services of New Orleans Today
If your plumbing system is acting up and you need to call a plumbing company, look no further than bluefrog Home Services of New Orleans. We’re a full-service plumbing company and have been serving customers in the area for years. Every member of our team is professionally trained and licensed and has the skill and experience necessary to handle the most challenging jobs in the plumbing industry. They have also passed a background check and drug test as part of the hiring process.
We understand that plumbing emergencies arise at the most inconvenient times, so we provide emergency service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We’ll get a plumber to your home as quickly as possible to resolve the problem. Best of all, we don’t charge after-hours fees, even on weekends and holidays.
Our plumbing company guarantees our plumber’s service, and we guarantee they’ll be on time. If the tech is late, we’ll pay you $5 every minute until they arrive. Our customers are important to us, and we know your time is valuable.
If you need to schedule an appointment for plumbing service, give bluefrog Home Services of New Orleans a call or book online.
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