It is often hard to tell if your plumbing system is in good working order at any given time. Your plumbing system may not be something you think about until a problem becomes apparent. Lack of hot water or any water at all is an obvious sign, and the occasional overflowing toilet or clogged drain may seem easy enough to fix, but you could be missing the not-so-obvious signs of a plumbing emergency.
To avoid this, you must pay your plumbing a little more attention now or else have to deal with expensive repairs and replacements later. Here are telltale signs that a plumbing disaster is imminent:
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Water Leaks
Though not all water leaks can qualify as a plumbing emergency, it most certainly is if you notice an extensive leak. Leaks are usually silent, and by the time you finally notice them, they may have been going on for a long time. Once you notice serious water leakage, you need to call an emergency plumber immediately because it may eventually affect the structural integrity of the building.
Water leaks are the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew, which can cause grievous health issues like itchy eyes, asthma, and other respiratory tract issues.
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Water Stains
When you notice a water stain on your ceiling or floor, it is a sure sign that there has been a leak there for a while. If the stain is severe, this is a plumbing emergency, and you need to call a professional plumber immediately.
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Sagging Ceilings
Sometimes water stains can happen along with a sagging ceiling. A sagging ceiling is an extremely serious issue because, in a short time, it may cause a total collapse of the structure. If you notice the ceiling is sagging, it is a plumbing emergency, and you need to call an experienced plumber immediately to prevent a messier, more expensive situation.
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Low Water Pressure
If you are experiencing low pressure in many faucets, you need to have your plumbing inspected by a professional plumber. Low water pressure has two possible causes: damaged pipes or limescale build-up, a clog, or a leak in the system.
A sudden loss of water pressure is a telltale sign of a rupture somewhere in the plumbing system. If cleaning the aerator with a scrape and vinegar soak does not solve the problem, it is time to call an experienced emergency plumber.
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A Spike in the Monthly Water Bills
Fluctuating water bills are normal, but if you notice a spike in your bills, even if you are not using much water, it is a sure sign that you are losing water through a leak somewhere in the plumbing system. You need to seek the services of a professional emergency plumber to inspect it to determine the location and severity of the problem and to deal with it accordingly.
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Water Heater Failure
A weeping or sweating water heater is a telltale sign of a constant, slow leak in the system. You may first notice some dampness on the ground around the heater. This is usually a result of cracks in the casing or piping that are leaking hot water, which may eventually lead to more serious issues.
It is automatically a plumbing emergency, and it is best to seek an emergency plumbing service to help keep repairs limited and affordable. Danger signs you especially need to look out for in your water heater include:
- Corrosion
- Rusty spots in the water heater or the surrounding area.
- A strangely large pool of water in the nearby area or the drip pan
- An experienced emergency plumber can immediately repair the damage or replace the water heater.
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Your Drains won’t drain
It is common for plumbing to get clogged—whether they are tubs, faucets, or a clogged toilet. If clogged drains happen constantly or a plunger does not help, you need to call emergency plumbing services. The problem could be grease build-up, hair, roots, or issues with the septic tank. Plumbers have special equipment, like cameras, that helps them look deep into the pipes to trace the problem.
Any repeat clogged drain issue is a sign of a serious underlying problem. With time, it can become a bigger issue; it should therefore be treated as a plumbing emergency. You must call an emergency plumber instead of attempting a DIY because home remedies will be;
- treating just the symptoms.
- This delays an imminent problem.
- Allowing an underlying issue to fester
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Your Faucets Keep Dripping
According to the United States Environmental Agency, if your shower happens to be dripping only ten times a minute, you are paying for an additional 500 gallons of water each year. Therefore, constant dripping is a plumbing emergency. You might try a quick fix for the drip, such as plumber’s tape, a little tightening, or a new bracket, but that may not always work.
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Strange Smell and Sounds from the Pipes
The water coming from your water supply system should be fresh, clear, and completely odorless. If it smells funny or is discolored, there is something wrong with the plumbing. Green water is a telltale sign of corrosion, and brown discoloration means the water has too much iron, while weird-smelling water indicates there is sewage from the sewer line into the water supply system.
If your whole house smells like sewage, it is a telltale sign of sewage backup in the plumbing system. The smell of rotten eggs or sulfur is a sign of a gas leak, which is extremely dangerous and needs to be addressed immediately. Peculiar plumbing sounds like vibrations, shuddering, thundering, squealing, and gurgling are all signs of a deeper issue with the plumbing.
Are You in Need of an Emergency Plumber? Welcome to Arvada Plumber co
Arvada Residential Plumbing Services is a plumbing company with a team of experienced, professional emergency plumbers that offer quality emergency plumbing services to residents of Arvada, Colorado.
We specialize in drain and sewer services, kitchens and bathrooms, and preventive plumbing. For more information on the telltale signs of plumbing emergencies, feel free to call us at 303-500-0437.