What happens in the plumbing lines should stay in there. Any unscheduled surface incursion of materials that flow through those hidden pipes, whether clean or waste water, is cause for alarm for homeowners. Plumbers in San Antonio will tell you that problems can quickly turn from minor annoyance to horrifying nightmare, costing serious money to resolve.
As a homeowner, you need to pay attention to little things such as leaky faucets and groaning pipes in the walls because these could be symptoms of bigger problems.
The Toilet Runneth Over
The bathroom can present plumbing problem red flags. Leaky faucets could be the result of a worn out gasket or improper installation. Water running nonstop in a toilet may be a defective flapper. Both cases result in clean water being wasted, higher water bills and rust damage to fixtures.
A clogged toilet can flood your bathroom and render the toilet unusable, which can spell disaster if you happen to be entertaining at that time. The clog could result from a buildup of materials in the pipes or, as with sudden onset clogging, could mean someone’s phone is in your plumbing.
Something Foul is Afoot
Sewage smell is pretty gross, and it’s even grosser when inside the house. It can pose a health hazard in poorly ventilated spaces. When you detect foul odor coming from a clean toilet, you better hope it’s just a defective wax ring. If it’s due to a broken pipe and your plumbing lies beneath a concrete foundation, earth-moving equipment could be decorating your back yard for a while.
If the stinky odor is coming from the bathtub or shower, a defective trap could be the cause. The problem can be traced to several issues including missing traps, worn out closet gaskets, baffle obstructions, broken vent lines and gunk in the pipes. Installation of anti-siphon traps and cleaning out the lines may stop the odor.
Mysterious Moaning, Groaning and Whistling
A whistling sound coming through the faucet could be a leaky valve or sediment buildup within the pipes. Rattling could mean inadequate cushioning of the pipes as they lay against the hard surface of the floor or walls. Creaky pipes could be an indication of improper bracing or incorrect positioning. The water hammer effect is a loud gurgle from the tap as it’s turned off. It can be traced to inefficient air cushioning due to a faulty pipe layout.
Plumbing Emergency
Major plumbing problems don’t happen overnight unless it’s an unfortunate accident such as road workers hitting your lines. Usually, your plumbing system leaves subtle clues such as a very slow leak, faint and intermittent odor and pipes that go bump in the night.
Plumbing problems are difficult to diagnose without experience and equipment. Call our plumbing specialists at ABC Home and Commercial Services to find the causes and to prepare a free estimate. When it comes to leaky plumbing, quick action could save you money and major headaches.