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10 Issues That Require A Call To A Plumbing Service | San Antonio, TX

10 Issues That Require A Call To A Plumbing Service | San Antonio, TX

The plumbing system in your San Antonio, TX home is essential to your daily life. You need running water all day, and without it, you can’t shower, flush the toilet, clean, and perform many other everyday household tasks. Your drains also need to be healthy, so the water has somewhere to go when running it. You probably already know that your home’s plumbing system isn’t invincible, and problems can arise. Many homeowners today make home repairs DIY repairs in hopes of saving money. While DIY is great for certain projects, plumbing repair isn’t one of them. Licensed plumbers go through years of professional training and apprenticeship to learn everything they need to know about plumbing. A DIY repair can cause more harm than good if you don’t have the necessary training.

If your plumbing system experiences any of the following issues, avoid the temptation to make it a DIY project, and call a plumbing service.

#1 Slow or Clogged Drains

When you run the water in your home, you expect it to flow down the drain quickly. If there’s a drain clog, the water will drain slowly or not at all.

Although slow drains allow the water to go down eventually, it can take a while, which can be frustrating when you do something that requires the water to run. You’ll worry about the sink overflowing when you wash the dishes because the water isn’t draining fast enough. When you shower, you’ll find yourself standing in several inches of water, and nobody can shower until the water goes down.

A drain that’s clogged completely won’t let the water go down at all, resulting in standing water, and you can’t use the sink or tub until the clog is removed.

Many people will try to remove the clog using a liquid drain cleaner, but this isn’t always a good idea. The drain cleaner may break up the clog enough for the water to pass, but if the entire clog isn’t removed, the water will start draining slowly again sooner than later. If the drain is clogged completely and there’s standing water in the sink or tub, the liquid drain cleaner won’t reach the clog. Another problem with this method is that drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can damage the pipes; therefore, it’s best to call a plumbing service.

A licensed plumber will have the tools necessary to remove the entire clog, and they can perform a video inspection to ensure the whole clog has been removed. In addition, the plumber can remove the clog safely without causing damage, which is the best reason to call a plumbing service when you need a clog removed.

#2 Multiple Drain Clogs

When multiple drains in your San Antonio, TX home drain slowly or not at all, it’s unlikely that every sink and tub is clogged and often indicates a clog in the sewer line. A clogged sewer line will prevent water from moving through the system and out of the house, resulting in multiple drain clogs.

This issue requires a call to a plumber. You’ll need a plumber to come to your home to clear the sewer line, allowing the water to drain. This can be a complex job and should only be cleared by a licensed professional.

#3 Toilet Clogs

As you likely already know, toilet clogs aren’t uncommon. When someone flushes too much toilet paper and waste, it can create a clog. The same is true if you flush something that shouldn’t have been, such as baby wipes, paper towels, cotton balls, or Q-tips.

In many cases, plunging the toilet will break up the clog enough that it can be flushed. However, the plunger won’t be effective if the clog is too large. The same is true if something solid was flushed or the clog is located too far down the drain. If plunging the toilet isn’t effective, you’ll need to call a plumbing service. These clogs can be frustrating because you can’t use the toilet until the clog is removed because flushing a clogged toilet will cause it to overflow. If you only have one bathroom in your home, you won’t be able to use the restroom at all, making things even more complicated.

The plumbing service will send a plumber to your home with a toilet auger, allowing them to reach the clog and break it up. If the clog is located too far down the drain, they may need to remove the toilet to get the clog and force it down.

#4 Running Toilet

Clogs are the only issue to watch for when it comes to your toilet, and a constantly running toilet is another common problem. The toilet in your San Antonio, TX home is designed to run when you flush, allowing the tank to fill, so it’s ready for the next flush. If the toilet constantly runs, even when the tank is full, it’s best to call a plumber immediately.

A running toilet is more than minor noise frustration and wastes a significant amount of water. In one month, the running toilet will waste 900 gallons of water or more, which will cause your water bill to increase significantly. In addition, this amount of wasted water is harmful to the environment.

A plumbing service will send a tech to your home to inspect the toilet to determine what’s causing the problem. A few issues can cause a toilet to run, such as a broken or cracked flapper, the float height needs to be adjusted, or the refill hose being too long. If the toilet is old, it may have reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced. Because so many issues can cause this problem, it’s best to call a plumbing service and have the problem fixed by a trained professional.

#5 Dripping Faucet

Many people consider a dripping faucet a minor nuisance, but it is more serious than you think. A faucet that drips one drop per second wastes 300 gallons of water in one month, causing your water bill to increase. If you allow the faucet to continue dripping, it can escalate to a steady stream of water that you can’t stop, increasing the water bill even more and is harmful to the environment.

A few issues can cause a faucet to drip, and it’s best to call a plumbing service so a plumber can find the problem. The most common causes of a dripping faucet include a worn-out gasket or washer, a loose O ring, a corroded valve seat, or if the faucet is old, it may be time to replace it.

A plumbing service will send a tech to your San Antonio, TX, home to determine why the faucet is dripping, so the problem can be resolved before it affects your water bills.

#6 Water Heater Issues

The water heater in your San Antonio, TX home is an appliance you can’t live without, as it’s an essential part of your plumbing system. The water coming into your home is cold and will fill the water tank, where it’s heated and stored, so it’s there when you need it. A faulty water heater can affect the water’s temperature and can affect your ability to use the water.

If your water heater experiences any of the following issues, it’s best to call a plumbing service immediately.

-Cold water coming from the hot water tap

-The water doesn’t get hotter than lukewarm.

-Poor hot water pressure

-Brown or rust-colored hot water

-Banging or clanging sounds coming from the unit

-You frequently run out of hot water.

-Moisture or leaks around the unit

A plumber can repair some water heater issues; however, if the problem cannot be fixed, you’ll need to replace the water heater.

#7 Brown or Rust-Colored Water

When you run the water in your San Antonio, TX home, you expect it to be clean and clear. If the water is brown or rust-colored, you should call a plumbing service immediately.

If only the hot water is discolored, the issue is with the water heater. When sediment builds up in the water tank, the hot water can cause it to break apart and contaminate the water.

The problem is with the pipes if the hot and cold water is discolored. As pipes age, they can begin to rust and corrode, contaminating the water. A plumber can find the pipes causing the problem so they can be replaced.

Using contaminated water is unsafe; therefore, it’s best to call an emergency plumbing service immediately. If you have to use the water, you’ll need to boil it first to ensure it’s safe.

#8 Frozen Pipes

Winter days in San Antonio, TX are relatively mild; however, the temperature drops at night. During a cold snap or when a cold front moves in, the temperature can drop below freezing, causing your pipes to freeze.

If you try to turn on the water on a freezing day and nothing comes out, it indicates frozen pipes, which is very serious and requires an immediate call to an emergency plumbing service.

When the pipes freeze, the water in the pipes will also freeze and start to expand, causing the pipes to burst. This is the worst-case scenario because burst pipes can cause a significant flood, causing water damage and mold growth.

A plumbing service will send a tech to your home to thaw the pipes quickly and safely. When the pipes are thawed, the tech can wrap them in heated tape to prevent them from freezing again.

#9 Reduced Water Pressure

Adequate water pressure is essential in performing daily household tasks, and reduced water pressure can make tasks such as washing your hair or doing the dishes take longer than necessary. Also, your water-based appliances won’t function at peak performance without adequate water pressure.

The problem lies with the water heater if just the hot water pressure is reduced. When a significant amount of sediment forms in the tank, it can clog the waterline, reducing the water pressure. A plumber can try to flush the sediment, but if they can’t, you’ll need to replace the water heater. If you don’t, it won’t be long before the waterline clogs again.

If the hot and cold water pressure is reduced, the issue is with the plumbing system. A few problems can cause reduced water pressure, including:

-A leaking pipe

-Corroded pipes

-A significant clog in the pipes

-The pressure regulator is failing.

-A problem with the water meter valve.

-A problem with the main shutoff valve

You’ll need a licensed plumber to determine which of these issues is causing the problem so that it can be resolved and the water pressure will be restored.

#10 Leaks

Leaking pipes are one of the most common calls a plumbing service receives. The old pipes can start to leak when they’ve rusted and corroded, and leaks also occur when a fixture becomes loose.

A plumbing service can send a tech to repair the leaking pipe, and if the leaking pipe is difficult to find, they can use visual or acoustic leak detection equipment to find and fix the leak before water damage and mold growth occur.

Why Choose bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio?

If you have a plumbing problem and need to call a plumbing service, bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio can help. We are a full-service plumbing service with many years of combined experience in the field.

Our plumbers are professionally trained and have the knowledge and skill to handle all plumbing jobs, regardless of how complex. No job is too big or too small for bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio.

If you have a problem that can’t wait, we provide emergency service. We’ll get a plumber to your home quickly, regardless of the day of the week or the time.

To schedule an appointment for plumbing service, give us a call or book online.

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