10 Signs It’s Time To Hire A Licensed Plumber | Boerne, TX
Your plumbing system isn’t indestructible, and problems can arise, often at the most inconvenient times. Many people want their plumbing systems up and running again immediately and will attempt a DIY repair. Unfortunately, this isn’t the best option, and many DIY plumbing repairs go wrong.
Licensed plumbers undergo years of professional training and apprenticeship to learn to diagnose and repair plumbing issues correctly. If you don’t have the necessary training, you could do more harm than good. One simple mistake can result in further damage, requiring a more complex repair and a more expensive bill when the work is complete.
If your system experiences any of the following issues, hiring a plumber in Boerne, TX is best.
#1 Toilet Clogs
Toilets clog when too much toilet paper and waste are flushed. You can also clog the toilet by flushing something that isn’t biodegradable and shouldn’t be flushed, such as baby wipes, menstrual products, paper towels, and bath toys.
Most toilet clogs can be broken up by a plunger, allowing you to flush the toilet without overflowing. If the plunger does not affect the clog, it’s best to hire a plumber immediately. You can’t use the toilet until the clog is removed, which can be incredibly inconvenient if you only have one bathroom. Large or solid clogs and clogs located too far down the drainpipe may be too much for the plumber to handle, and you’ll need to hire a licensed professional in Boerne, TX.
A licensed professional has the tools necessary to break up the clog enough that it can be flushed, allowing you to use the toilet again.
#2 Slow Drains
As careful as you are with what you put down the drain, food, grease, hair, and soap scum can clog the drain, affecting how quickly the water drains.
When the water drains slowly, it indicates a small clog. This may not seem like a big deal since the water will drain, but it can be inconvenient. When you perform daily household tasks requiring water in the sink to run, such as washing the dishes and brushing your teeth, you’ll have to worry about the water overflowing all over the floor. If there’s a small clog in the shower drain, you’ll find yourself standing in several inches of water when you’re done, which will take time to drain.
Many homeowners try liquid drain cleaners to remove small clogs, but this isn’t the best option. These products contain harsh chemicals designed to break up clogs and can harm your plumbing system. Also, if the drain cleaner doesn’t eliminate the entire clog, it won’t be long before the water starts draining slowly again.
A licensed professional in Boerne, TX has the tools and skill necessary to remove the entire clog and can use a drain camera to ensure the whole clog is removed, ensuring the water will flow freely down the drain.
#3 Clogged Drain
A clogged drain that prevents water from draining is a serious issue and requires a call to an emergency plumber. You won’t be able to use the fixture until the clog is removed, and the clog can cause the pipe to rust and corrode, resulting in a more complex and expensive repair.
A licensed professional can remove the clog and inspect the pipes with a drain camera to ensure the entire clog was removed and didn’t cause pipe damage. When the job is complete, the water will flow freely down the drain, and you may want to consider having a drain cleaning service performed every year to prevent drain clogs in the future.
#4 Multiple Drain Clogs
Do more than one fixture in your house have drain issues affecting the water flow down the drain? If so, it’s unlikely that multiple fixtures became clogged simultaneously, and there’s likely a clog in the sewer line. This is a serious problem, requiring a call to an emergency plumber.
Allowing the problem to persist will allow the clog to get bigger, and eventually, the water and waste will have nowhere to go and will back up into the house. This will result in a nasty, smelly mess containing hazardous materials that can risk your family’s health.
Fortunately, an emergency plumber in Boerne, TX will arrive at your house quickly to eliminate the clog in the line, allowing the water to flow freely down the drain, and you won’t have to worry about water and waste backing up into your house.
#5 Plumbing Leaks
Your pipes aren’t impervious to damage, and the lines will leak when they rust and corrode. A plumbing leak can also occur if a joint becomes loose or disconnected or if the seal has failed.
Leaks are a serious problem because the leak will cause water damage, mold growth, and your water bills will increase. In addition, leaks can also affect the water pressure, which is a frustrating problem, so it’s best to hire a plumber immediately if you believe there’s a leaking pipe.
Leaks under the sink and behind the wall are easy to detect because you’ll see standing water under the sink or water spots on the walls. Unfortunately, leaks under the house can be more challenging to notice, and you should know what to look for, including;
- Moisture on the walls and floor of the basement or main floor in the house.
- The basement or main floor feels warm.
- Poor water pressure
- Puddles outside near the house, even though it hasn’t rained.
- The grass is lusher and greener in a small area of the lawn.
- High water bills
A plumber in Boerne, TX can locate the leak and make the repair, preventing further water damage. If they can’t find the leak through a visual inspection, leak detection equipment will help them pinpoint the leak so it can be repaired.
You may want to consider having a drain cleaning service performed every year because the licensed professional can detect issues with the pipes early before water damage and mold growth occurs. Also, having the drains cleaned annually will detect leaks before your water bills increase significantly.
#6 Water Heater Issues
Your water heater is technically an appliance, but it’s also an essential part of the plumbing system. The water coming into your house is cold and will fill the unit’s tank, where it’s heated and stored, so you always have hot water when needed. Water heater issues can affect the temperature and quality and cause further problems that can make your life inconvenient.
If your water heater experiences any of the following problems, it’s best to hire a plumber in Boerne, TX immediately.
- Cold or lukewarm water comes from the hot water tap.
- You frequently run out of hot water.
- The unit sounds like it’s possessed.
- Poor hot water pressure
- Brown or discolored hot water
- Moisture or water pooling around the unit.
A DIY water heater repair isn’t recommended. Water heaters are complex appliances, and without the proper training, you could cause more damage while attempting to fix the unit. Also, a DIY repair will void the unit’s warranty, and you’ll have to pay for future repairs yourself.
A licensed plumber has the knowledge and skill to diagnose and repair the unit correctly, eliminating the problem before further damage occurs.
#7 Poor Water Pressure
Adequate water pressure is necessary to perform daily household tasks, and poor water pressure will make some tasks take longer, such as doing the dishes or washing your hair. Also, your water-based appliances rely on sufficient water pressure to function at peak performance. If only the hot water pressure is poor, the issue lies with the water heater. Inadequate hot and cold water pressure indicates a problem with the plumbing system and requires a call to a licensed plumber.
A few issues can affect the water pressure, including:
- A problem with the main shutoff valve
- An issue with the water meter valve
- The pressure regulator is failing.
- Clogged or corroded pipes
- A significant leak in the plumbing system
- Faulty fixtures
A plumber will inspect the plumbing system to diagnose the problem, allowing them to fix it as soon as possible to restore adequate water flow from the sinks, tubs, and fixtures.
#8 Brown or Discolored Water
Discolored water indicates contamination, and the issue lies with the water heater if only the hot water is brown or rust-colored. If the hot and cold water is discolored, there’s a problem with a pipe in your plumbing system.
Old pipes tend to rust and corrode, and the corrosion can contaminate the water. In addition, a leak in an underground line will allow dirt and debris into the pipes that will contaminate the water.
A licensed plumber in Boerne, TX can inspect the plumbing system to find the cause of the contamination and make the necessary repair.
It’s not safe to bathe, drink and cook with contaminated water, so it’s best to avoid using it until the problem is resolved. If you must use the water, boiling it will eliminate the harmful impurities, preventing you from getting sick.
#9 Dripping Faucet
A dripping faucet may seem like a small problem or a minor annoyance, but it’s more serious than you think. A faucet that drips one drop per second can waste up to 11 gallons of water daily and 330 gallons per month. Not only will a dripping faucet cause your water bills to increase significantly, but it’s also harmful to the environment, so you should call a plumber as soon as the faucet starts dripping.
A few issues can cause the faucet to drip, including:
- A worn-out washer or gasket
- Loose O ring
- Corrosion in the valve seat
- The faucet is old, and it’s time for a replacement
A licensed professional can inspect the faucet to figure out why it’s leaking and make the necessary repairs to prevent you from wasting more water and keep your water bills down.
#10 Running Toilet
Does your toilet constantly run, even after the tank is full? If so, it’s time to call a plumber. If you think a dripping faucet wastes a lot of water, the amount of water wasted by a running toilet may shock you. A running toilet can waste up to 30 gallons of water a day, and 900 gallons a month, which will cause a significant increase in your water bills.
Your toilet is designed to run when it’s flushed to fill the tank, so it is ready when you need to flush it again. A few issues can cause the toilet to keep running once the tank is full, including:
- The flapper or chain is damaged.
- The float height needs to be adjusted.
- The refill hose is too long.
- The toilet reached the end of its lifespan and must be replaced.
A licensed plumber can fix the toilet to keep it from running when the tank is full, and your water bills will decrease.
Call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio Today
If your plumbing system isn’t working correctly and you need to hire a licensed plumber, look no further than bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio. We’re a full-service plumbing company and are members of the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association.
Our plumbers are professionally trained, licensed and have the knowledge and experience to handle any plumbing job, regardless of its complexity.
If you have a plumbing problem that must be addressed immediately, don’t panic. We provide emergency service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We’ll send a tech to your home as quickly as possible to resolve the problem before further issues occur.
We do our best to keep our costs low and provide zero trip charges, and we don’t charge extra if the job takes longer than expected. Also, we have coupons on our website to save money on plumbing services and equipment.
To schedule an appointment for plumbing installation, maintenance, or repair, give us a call at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio.
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