Need To Call A Plumber? 6 Signs That You Have A Plumbing Problem | New Orleans, LA
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When it comes to the plumbing system in your New Orleans, LA, home, it can be difficult to keep an eye on things. The good news is, there are a few simple things you can be on the lookout for if you want to prevent major plumbing problems and keep your home in good repair. It all starts with knowing what to look out for and when to call a plumber. If you’ve got any of these six signs of plumbing problems, you should call a professional today.
1. High water bills
A high water bill might not seem like a huge deal, but the fact of the matter is there’s a reason for that increase. Sure, water bill increases are sometimes caused by increased water usage, but not when they’re massive leaps. If you’re suddenly spending several hundred dollars on water, it’s probably because you have a leak, a dripping faucet or a running toilet in your home. Since it can be hard to pinpoint exactly where your problem is, it’s best to have a plumber check your home out for leaks and other problems if your water bill suddenly spikes.
2. Low water pressure
You need a little bit of water pressure for everything you do in your home, whether you’re rinsing off in the shower or doing dishes in the kitchen. If you suddenly feel a lack of water pressure from one of your faucets, it’s going to be a big problem. Even more importantly, that lack of water pressure is being caused by a plumbing problem, so you need to get to the bottom of it.
Sometimes low water pressure is simply the result of the shutoff valve not being completely open, which may have happened if you recently had plumbing work done on your home. Low water pressure can also occur as a result of blockages in water lines and problems with the fixtures in your home, so it’s best to call a plumber.
3. Slow drains
When you turn on the faucet in your kitchen or bathroom sink, the water should go down the drain about as fast as it’s filling up the sink. If there’s water pooling up in your sink or shower, you’ve got a clogged drain that’s not allowing water to drain through. This might not seem like a big deal, but slow drains can lead to bigger problems that can cost you a lot of money.
If you notice any of the drains in your home are running a little slow, have a plumber check them out. It could be that you need a drain cleaning, or you could have roots growing into your plumbing system and causing problems. In any case, you can’t simply let clogged drains keep getting worse or you’ll end up with a bigger problem.
4. Foul odors
For the most part, you shouldn’t smell any odors coming from your plumbing system. While there may be a slight smell to the water or fixture, there should never be a strong, foul odor coming from any of the drains in your New Orleans, LA, home. If you do have a nasty odor coming from your plumbing system, call a plumber to make sure you’re not dealing with anything dangerous.
Oftentimes, remedying a foul drain odor is as simple as making sure all the P traps in your house have some moisture. P traps need a little bit of moisture in them to keep odors from coming back up your drain, so they’ll stop working if you don’t run water down a drain occasionally. In other cases, you may have a leak or clog in your P trap.
5. Running toilets
Everybody who has ever owned a home has dealt with a running toilet at some point. Normally, your toilet only runs for about 30 seconds after you flush it. During this time, it drains the bowl with water from the tank then refills the tank. If your toilet doesn’t stop running shortly after you flush, call a plumber as soon as possible.
The big problem with running toilets is that they can be incredibly expensive. A single running toilet can add hundreds to your water bill in just one month. Conversely, a professional can generally fix a running toilet in a matter of minutes, with the most complex and expensive repair being a complete toilet replacement. If you ever notice your toilet running more than it should, don’t ignore it.
6. Signs of moisture
The water in your plumbing system should stay there ideally, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes, water from your plumbing system can leak out and cause water damage to things like walls and ceilings. This is why you should also be keeping an eye out for signs of moisture and calling a plumber if you notice anything strange.
The most common sign of moisture in walls and ceilings is a simple brown spot. These brown spots are fairly easy to notice, plus they give you a good idea of where the leak is. If you notice any brown spots on your walls or ceilings, have a plumber take a look as soon as possible.
Call bluefrog Today
It’s never easy preventing plumbing problems and keeping your home in good shape, but knowing what to watch out for is a big help. As long as you keep an eye out for these six signs of plumbing problems, you’ll have a good idea of when you need to get a little professional help.
At bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of New Orleans, we know how important it is to catch plumbing problems as soon as possible. Whether you’ve got a leaking pipe or a running toilet, our plumbers know how to get the problem fixed in a hurry. For all your plumbing needs, simply call bluefrog at (504) 457-7204.
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