You're lying in bed at night. Suddenly, you notice a faint but unmistakable sound. Plop, plop, plop.
As you listen, it's getting faster, and louder. Your stomach sinks; you know you can't ignore it. It's a water leak, and you'll have to call a plumber.
Sometimes, it's clear what you need to do. But other signs you need to call a plumber can be more subtle. Let's take a look at 7 signs you need to call a plumber right now!
1. Unexplained Water Bill Increases
Here's the cruel truth about water leaks - you've still got to pay for that wasted water!
If you've just installed an Olympic-sized pool or started taking hour-long showers, you expect high water bills. If not, you could have a pesky leak somewhere you haven't noticed.
It's a good idea to have a look around the outside of your home before the plumber comes. If you can point them in the right direction, it'll save them time, and you money. Look out for:
- Unexplained puddles of water
- Boggy patches
- More insects outside your home
- Whistling or hissing sound coming from water pipes
It's important to get searching for 'plumber near me' asap. Money is literally flowing out of your account the longer you leave it.
2. Nasty Smells
Drains always smell, but if everything's working correctly, you should never know about it.
The p-trap in your bathroom plumbing normally blocks noxious gases from getting into your bathroom. If this is dry, gases can enter your bathroom. Try running the water for a few minutes, and come back an hour later.
If the smell persists, you've got something else going on, and you need to find a plumber. He or she will check your bathroom for other potential causes. They'll also look at other causes, such as blocked or broken vents.
3. Water Marks on Ceiling or Walls
It doesn't matter if water spots on the ceiling or walls are wet or dry. They tell you that there has been a water leak.
It could be a leak in a waterline, or a leaking water tank. If you have pipes running through drywall, one of them could have sprung a leak and be soaking through.
Your ceilings and walls are also home to power lines, and water and electrics do not mix. If damp water spots start dripping, you need to act fast. It's time to call out an emergency plumber to nip the problem in the bud.
4. Reduced Water Pressure
Weak showers are very few people's idea of a good time. But if you find the water pressure gradually gets worse, check your showerhead first.
Over time, they can become blocked with mineral deposits, such as limescale. Clean this away, or use a chemical limescale remover to dissolve the buildup. Check it again.
If the pressure is back to normal, problem solved! But if the pressure drops suddenly with no other explanation, you've probably got a leak somewhere along the line.
If you've got a broken mains pipe, all your fixtures will have low water pressure. Faucets will run slowly and even your washing machine will take forever to fill.
If you notice that it's just your shower or one sink that has low pressure, there's probably a blockage in the pipe to that particular fixture. Point your plumber in the right direction and it'll be sorted in no time.
5. Slow Drains
If you're in the shower and water starts pooling around your feet, you've got a problem.
You may also notice when you fill the sink it takes several minutes to drain. This means that somewhere along the line, there's a blockage.
Anything could be stuck down there, from something a family member accidentally dropped or a buildup of deposits from daily use. Either way, you need to find a plumber to help you clear it out. They have specialist equipment that does the job much more effectively than home remedies.
6. Unexplained Floor Problems
In Austin, TX many houses are built on concrete slabs. The plumbing is often embedded in the slab. As time goes by, leaks can develop.
You may notice one or more of these issues:
- Hearing water running when all faucets and appliances are off
- Wet carpets or flooring
- Musty smell in the house
- Mold growth
- Drop in water pressure
- Water collecting around the perimeter of the slab
These problems may start small. But the longer you leave them, the worse they'll get. Thankfully, local plumbers are experienced in dealing with slab leaks.
7. Never Ending Toilet Flush
You walk past your bathroom and hear the toilet flushing. Problem is, you flushed it hours ago. We've all been there, and the fact is it'll keep running until a plumber repairs it.
This is one of the most common repair jobs a residential plumber encounters. While it's often a simple fix for a plumber, they need to rule out several options before identifying the problem. A plumber will have the know-how and the right parts to get your flush working properly again.
Time for You to Call a Plumber?
Plumbing issues can be a real drag, but no matter how small the signs are, take action.
A simple spot on the ceiling or damp patch on the floor might look like nothing. But it could soon be a waterfall you can't control. The sooner you call a plumber, the sooner you can relax.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Austin is a local company you can trust. Our friendly plumbers are on call 24/7 to stop a small leak turning in to a flood. Our prices are the same regardless of the time of day you schedule the appointment.
Call us for emergency services, or request a job estimate online today!
