10 Signs It Is Time To Call A Licensed Plumber | Schertz, TX
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Many people don’t think about how often they rely on their plumbing systems. If you pay attention to how often your family uses the plumbing system in your Schertz, TX home, you will see that it is in use for a large part of the day.
Your plumbing system comprises two parts, the water delivery system, which delivers clean, treated water to your home, and the drainage system, which removes water and waste from the house. If either part of your plumbing system isn’t working correctly, it can make life in your home inconvenient and can cause chaos in your home.
While some repairs are great DIY projects, plumbing repair isn’t one. To diagnose and repair a problem correctly, you need formal plumbing training. If you are experiencing any of the following issues in your home, it is best to call a licensed plumber. If you make a mistake during a DIY plumbing repair, you could do more damage to the plumbing system and could also cause a flood.
#1 You Have No Water
A lack of water coming from the faucets and showerheads is one of the most obvious signs that it is time to call a licensed plumbing company. Without running water, you can’t shower, clean, flush the toilet and perform many daily household tasks, which can bring life in your home to a halt.
A few issues can cause a lack of water, and you will need a plumber to find the cause. Before making the call, check your records to ensure your water bills have been paid. You should also check with a neighbor to find out if they have water or check the water company’s website to rule out a widespread outage.
If everything checks out and you still don’t have water, one of a few issues could be causing the problem.
- A problem with the water main
- Clogged or corroded pipes
- The water lines are very old, or the incorrect size was used during the installation.
- Frozen pipes
It is essential to make the call right away because the longer you wait, the longer you will go without running water.
#2 Dripping Faucet
Many people consider a dripping faucet a nuisance and nothing more; however, it is more serious than you think. The faucet in your Schertz, TX home drips due to fault mechanics, such as a worn-out washer or gasket, a loose O ring, or corrosion in the valve seat. If the faucet is old, it could have reached the end of its lifespan. The dripping can escalate to a steady stream of water if you ignore the problem; therefore, you should call a plumber right away.
A dripping faucet can also waste a significant amount of water. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a faucet that drips at a rate of one drop per second can waste over 3.000 gallons of water per year, which can cause a significant spike in your water bills.
A plumber can inspect the faucet to determine if it can be repaired or a replacement is necessary. Making the call right away will keep your water bills down, and you will be doing your part for the environment.
#3 Running Toilet
When you flush the toilet in your home, it should run, allowing the tank to refill so the toilet is ready for the next flush. If the toilet continues running even after the tank is full, you should schedule an appointment with a licensed plumber.
A few issues can cause your toilet to run constantly, including:
- The float height needs to be adjusted.
- The refill tube is too long.
- The flapper chain is broken or disconnected
- The flapper is dirty or damaged
- The tank’s seal is failing
- The toilet has reached the end of its lifespan
A running toilet is more than a nuisance and should be repaired as quickly as possible. If you think a dripping toilet wastes a lot of water, you will be shocked by the amount of water wasted by a constantly running toilet. A medium leak can waste around 250 gallons of water per day, which can increase your water bill by $3.30 a day. A large leak can waste up to 4,000 gallons of water a day, increasing your water bill by up to $53 a day, which is more than most homeowners can afford.
A plumber can inspect the toilet to figure out why it is running, so they can take the necessary steps to resolve the issue. Making the call right away can save you a fortune on your water bills.
#4 Drain Clogs
As careful as you are with what you put down the drain, food, grease, hair, and soap will end up in the drain and can cause a clog.
Small clogs can make the water drain slowly, which can be frustrating when you do something that requires you to let the water run, such as brushing your teeth, showering, or doing the dishes.
Many people will try a liquid drain cleaner to remove the clog to avoid the cost of hiring a plumber; however, this isn’t the best idea. You can’t be sure that the drain cleaner will remove the entire clog, and if it hasn’t, it won’t be long before the drain becomes clogged again. In addition, liquid drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can damage your pipes.
Large clogs can prevent the water from draining, and a liquid drain cleaner will be useless because it won’t reach the clog. Because a large clog can prevent the water from draining, you can’t use the sink or tub until the clog is removed; therefore, you should call a professional right away.
A gurgling sound when the water goes down the drain also signifies a significant clog. Large clogs can make it challenging for the water to go down the drain, causing it to change directions to find a way past the clog. The change in direction creates air in the pipes, causing a gurgling sound.
A licensed plumber can use a drain camera to find the clog and determine the size, which will help them choose the best way to reach the clog and the best way to remove it.
#5 Clogged Toilet
Toilet clogs are frustrating because a clog will prevent you from flushing; therefore, you can’t use the toilet until the clog has been removed. If you have just one bathroom in your home, the problem can be even more frustrating.
The toilet in your home can become clogged if too much waste and toilet paper are flushed. The same is true if something is flushed that shouldn’t have been. In many cases, a plunger can break up the clog enough to be flushed. If plunging the toilet doesn’t help, the clog may be too large or too solid for the plunger to have an effect. The same is true if the clog is located too far down the drainpipe.
A licensed plumbing company can remove the clog, so you can start using the toilet again.
#6 Multiple Drain Clogs
If every drain in your Schertz, TX home is clogged, it is highly unlikely that there is a clog in every drain. The most common causes of multiple drain clogs are a clogged sewer line or a clog in the main drainage line. There could also be a broken sewer line, or a tree root has infiltrated the sewer line.
A plumber can inspect your plumbing system to find the cause, to make the necessary repair. The sooner you make the call, the sooner the water will flow freely down every drain in your Schertz, TX home.
#7 Water Heater Issues
Although the water heater in your home is technically an appliance, it is also an essential part of your plumbing system. The water isn’t hot when it comes into your home, and the water heater is responsible for heating and storing the water, so it is there when you need it. If your water heater isn’t working correctly, it can affect the temperature and safety of the water and can cause other issues; therefore, it is best to call a plumber if your water heater is experiencing any of the following problems.
- No hot water
- The water isn’t getting hot enough
- Discolored hot water
- Foul-smelling hot water
- Poor hot water pressure
- Strange sounds coming from the unit
- Moisture or leaks around the unit
These issues can affect your ability to perform daily household tasks and can even cause damage to your home; therefore, it is best to call a licensed plumbing company right away. The plumber can inspect the unit to determine if the problem can be repaired or if a replacement is necessary.
#8 Poor Water Pressure
Adequate water pressure is essential in performing many daily household tasks, including washing your hair and washing the dishes. In addition, your water-based appliances rely on sufficient water pressure to function correctly.
If the water pressure in your Schertz, TX home is suddenly poor, you should call a licensed plumber.
Several issues can cause poor water pressure, including:
- A problem with the shut-off valve
- A problem with the water meter valve
- The pressure regulator is failing
- There is a significant clog in the pipes
- Corroded pipes
- A significant leak
A licensed plumber can inspect your plumbing system to find the cause of the problem, to make the necessary repair. The sooner you make the call, the sooner you will have adequate water pressure.
#9 Discolored Water
The water coming from the taps and showerheads in your home should be clean and clear. If the water has a brownish tint, you should call a licensed plumber immediately. Discolored water signifies contamination, making the water unsafe for use.
The most common cause of this problem is corroded or rusty pipes, and when the rust and corrosion mixes with the water, it can contaminate the water.
A plumber can replace the affected pipe, ensuring the water will be clean and safe to use. If you absolutely must use the water before the plumber can make the necessary repair, it is best to boil it first.
#10 Frozen Pipes
When a cold front moves through Schertz, TX, or there is a cold snap, your pipes are at risk for freezing, which is a very serious issue. If your pipes are frozen, nothing will come from the faucets and showerheads, but this isn’t the most serious consequence of frozen pipes.
When the water in the pipes freezes, it can expand, causing the pipes to burst. This is a major problem because it can cause a flood in your home.
If you suspect your pipes are frozen, you should call a licensed plumber immediately. A plumber can thaw the pipes quickly and safely, preventing a disaster.
Why Choose bluefrog Plumbing & Drain of San Antonio?
If you have a plumbing issue in your Schertz, TX home, call bluefrog Plumbing & Drain of San Antonio. We are a full-service plumbing company, making us a one-stop-shop for many repairs.
We are a member of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association and have been serving customers in the area for years.
Our techs are professionally trained, licensed, and insured and can handle any plumbing issue. We have techs available for emergency plumbing service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week because we understand that plumbing issues can arise at the most inconvenient times.
Over the years, we have earned an excellent reputation in the community and the industry. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and have a 5-star rating on Google. In addition, Home Advisor named us an Elite Service and a Top Rated business.
Our goal is to offer the lowest prices around, which is why we offer zero trip charges and zero overtime charges, which most plumbing companies don’t provide.
To schedule an appointment with a plumber tech, give us a call or book online.
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