6 Signs that You Need to Quickly Call a Plumber

Plumbing problems range from the small and easy to fix to the major and expensive to repair. The challenge though is that it isn’t always easy to tell whether what you are dealing with is something you can tackle as DIY or if it’s an issue that calls for the intervention of the professionals like plumber Eastern Suburbs.

As a rule of thumb, it’s best to err on the side of caution. Plumbing issues, if left unaddressed, can not only get messy and make a dent in your wallet, but they can also endanger your health and wellbeing.

1.  Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure can be a buzz killer when you are looking forward to enjoying that nice shower at the end of a tiring day. The thing is, low pressure can be a much bigger problem than just an annoying inconvenience. It may be a sign that something is obstructing the clear flow of water through your supply pipes.

If you turn on your shower or taps one day and experience low water pressure yet cannot see any visible sign of why that is the case, call your plumber to investigate.

2.  Slow Drainage

A wide range of substances make their way into our sink and shower drains. It’s not unusual that occasionally, one of these drains will get clogged up by soap scum, hair, semi-solid foods, and grime thus causing slowing down the flow of wastewater.

What should get you concerned though is if all drains in the house have suddenly become slow. That points to a blockage further down your home’s sewer line. It could even be due to a clog in the main sewer line of your property. Irrespective of which sewer line is involved, this isn’t something the average person can resolve without expert assistance from a plumber.

3.  Brown Patches on the Ceiling

Brown patches on your ceiling are unsightly. Your first reflex is to apply a coat of paint and restore the uniformity of your ceiling’s appearance. This will, however, be treating the sign and not the problem. Brown spots mean water is likely leaking directly above your ceiling.

The cause is usually rain water trickling through your roof. However, it just might be that a water pipe that passes above your ceiling is leaking. Before you repair and paint your ceiling, get someone to fix the source of the leak first.

4.  Rattling Pipes

Besides the normal sound of gushing water, your piping network should be relatively quiet. If you hear some rattling in your pipes, especially immediately after you close a valve, it may be caused by what is referred to in plumbing as a water hammer.

This happens when the water’s flow is suddenly halted, altered, or otherwise disrupted thus creating a shock wave that flows back through the pipes and causes the rattling banging noises. The root cause of a water hammer may be high water pressure, flooded chambers within the plumbing network, or loose pipes.

It may not seem like a big deal since no leaks are involved, but the constant vibration will eventually loosen joints enough to cause a leak.

5.  Foul Smell

The water that flows through your sink drain is discarded as wastewater. Whether it was used for washing your hands, the utensils, clothes, and more, there’s plenty of bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens in it that will make their way into your drainage system. Ergo, some unpleasant smells are expected.

However, if you are seeing a rise in the type and intensity of the obnoxious odor, then you are probably staring at a rupture or block along your sewer line. Call your plumber right away to get to the root of it.

6.  A Surge in Water Bills

If there’s been no material change in water use in your home and the utility provider hasn’t hiked their per unit billing, a surge in your water bill should be a cause of concern. Chances are that you are losing large quantities of water somewhere in your house away from your everyday view.

Before you get in touch with the utility to complain about your bill, contact a plumber so you can confirm whether the problem is in fact on your end.

The growing DIY movement has meant many homeowners will try to fix problems in their home on their own first before they can engage a third party. On the face of it, this sounds like a prudent use of their money. Nevertheless, many of the cost savings one might think they are realizing by holding off on letting the professionals handle it are completely eroded when what was a small problem at the beginning becomes a crisis.

Don’t wait until your plumbing’s challenges overwhelm you. Get in touch with your plumber today if you run into any of the signs discussed here.