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8 Plumbing Problems That Require A Licensed Plumber | Schertz, TX

8 Plumbing Problems That Require A Licensed Plumber | Schertz, TX

Have you ever thought about what life was like before indoor plumbing was invented? People had to leave the house to find water and went outside to the outhouse when they had to use the bathroom. Fortunately, we have indoor plumbing today, making life a lot safer and more convenient, and professional plumbers to keep it running smoothly.

In a perfect world, your plumbing system will function correctly. Unfortunately, we don’t live in an ideal world, and plumbing issues can arise anytime, making your life inconvenient.

The plumbing system in your Schertz, TX home consists of three components, including the pipes and fittings that deliver the water to the plumbing fixtures, which is the second part of the plumbing system. The fixtures connect to the pipes to access the water supply. The fixtures include:

  • Bathtubs
  • Sinks
  • Toilets
  • Water heater
  • Dishwashers
  • Washing machines

The drainage system is the final component, and it is responsible for removing water and waste from the home to the dedicated drainage area.

If any part of your plumbing system malfunctions or fails, life in your home can be very inconvenient. You rely on your plumbing system to perform many daily household tasks; therefore, you should hire a licensed plumbing service provider as soon as problems arise.

If your plumbing system experiences any of the following problems, you should avoid DIY repairs. Your plumbing system is complex, and one symptom can be caused by more than one issue, making troubleshooting challenging. Unless you are a professionally trained plumber, it’s best to hire a licensed professional.

#1 Leaks

Leaking pipes are one of the most common calls plumbing companies receive. If a pipe in your home leaks, significant water damage, and mold growth can occur. Also, leaks waste a substantial amount of water, causing your water bills to increase considerably.

It’s easy to detect a leak under the sink because you will see standing water when you open the bathroom vanity or the kitchen cabinet. However, hidden leaks are more challenging to detect, such as a leaking pipe behind a wall. The leak could cause water spots on the wall or ceiling, but water spots don’t always occur. Leaks under the house are even more challenging to detect. The leak can create large puddles in the yard, warm basement floors, or in severe cases, damage to your home’s foundation.

Some leaks won’t show any visible signs but can cause poor water pressure and high water bills.

Leaks can occur if the pipes are rusted or corroded. In addition, extreme temperature changes can weaken the pipes causing them to crack and leak. If you suspect a pipe in your home leaks, it’s best to call a licensed professional right away.

A plumber will use leak detection equipment to find the leak quickly and repair or replace the affected pipe. Making the call right away will prevent the problems caused by a leaking pipe.

#2 Drain Clogs

The drains in your Schertz, TX home remove the water from your house to the drainage area outside. Drain issues can affect how fast the water drains and make daily household tasks challenging.

Drain clogs are a very common plumbing problem. Food, grease, soap scum, and hair can clog the drain, causing the water to drain slowly. Slow drains can be a nuisance when you do anything that requires the water to run, such as washing the dishes and taking a shower. The slow drain will cause the sink or tub to fill, and it will take a while for the water to drain. Large drain clogs can prevent any water from draining, and you can’t use the sink or tub until the clog is removed.

You may be tempted to use a liquid drain cleaner to remove the clog to avoid the cost of hiring a plumber; however, this isn’t a good idea. Even if the drain cleaner speeds up draining, you can’t be sure the entire clog was removed, and it won’t be long before the water drains slowly again. If the clog is completely blocking the drainpipe, the drain cleaner won’t go down the drain and will be useless. Over-the-counter drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals to break up clogs and can cause permanent damage to the pipes.

A licensed plumber has access to professional equipment, allowing them to remove the entire clog quickly and safely. They can also use a drain camera to find the clog’s location and again after to ensure the whole clog has been removed. You can also hire a licensed professional every year to perform a drain cleaning service, which will reduce the risk of drain clogs.

#3 Noisy Drains

Does a drain in your home make a gurgling sound when the water drains? If so, you should call a plumbing service provider. Even though the water still drains, noisy drains indicate a plumbing issue.

When a large clog forms in the drain, the water will need to change directions to find an alternate route. The change in direction creates air pockets in the pipes, causing a gurgling sound. If you don’t call a plumber as soon as the gurgling starts, it won’t be long before the drain becomes completely blocked, and you won’t be able to use the sink or tub.

A plumber can use a drain camera to find the clog, allowing them to remove it quickly and safely, preventing the drain from clogging completely.

#4 Multiple Drain Clogs

If water drains slowly in every sink and tub in your Schertz, TX home, it’s unlikely that there is a clog in every drain. Multiple drain clogs indicate a clog in the sewer line, and you should call a plumbing company right away.

A licensed professional will use a snake or hydro-jet on the pipes that connect the drains to the sewer line to remove the clog, allowing the water to flow freely down the drain again.

#5 Toilet Clogs

Toilet clogs are common and can occur when too much waste and toilet paper are flushed. Clogs can also happen if something is flushed that shouldn’t have been, such as baby wipes, dirty diapers, and children’s toys.

In most cases, plunging the toilet will break up the clog enough that it can be flushed. If the plunger isn’t working, you will need to call a licensed plumber. The plunger won’t be effective if the clog is too large, solid, or located too far down the drainpipe. Trying to flush a clogged toilet will result in an overflow, so you can’t use the toilet until the clog is removed. This can be frustrating, especially if you only have one bathroom in your Schertz, TX home. Fortunately, a licensed plumber can remove the clog.

A plumber can use a drain auger to break up the clog, allowing the toilet to flush. If the clog is located far down the drainpipe, they might have to remove the toilet to reach the clog. The sooner you make the call, the sooner you can start using the toilet again.

#6 Water Heater Problems

The water heater in your Schertz, TX home is an appliance that is also essential to your plumbing system. The water heater heats and stores water, so it is always available when you need it.

If your water heater isn’t working correctly, it can affect your ability to use the hot water or cause water damage and mold growth around the unit. If your water heater experiences any of the following issues, it’s best to call a licensed plumbing service provider right away. DIY repairs aren’t recommended because you could do more harm than good. Also, a DIY repair will void the unit’s warranty; therefore, it’s best to call a plumber.

  • There’s no hot water coming from the taps
  • The water isn’t hot enough.
  • You frequently run out of hot water.
  • Rust-colored hot water.
  • Poor hot water pressure
  • Strange sounds coming from the unit
  • Moisture or water pooling around the unit

A plumber can inspect the water heater to figure out what is causing the problem to make the necessary repair. If the problem can’t be fixed, a plumber can help you choose the best water heater based on your family’s hot water demand and can install the new water heater.

#7 Running Toilet

The toilet in your home should only run when someone flushes the toilet. When the toilet tank is full and ready for the next flush, the toilet should stop running. If it continues running and doesn’t stop, you should call a licensed plumbing service provider as soon as possible.

When a toilet runs constantly, it can waste up to 30 gallons of water per day, increasing your water bills significantly. Also, this amount of wasted water is harmful to the environment.

A few issues can cause the toilet to run, and you will need to inspect the toilet to find the cause.

  • The flapper is cracked, broken, or the chain is damaged.
  • The float height needs to be adjusted.
  • The refill hose is too long.
  • The toilet has reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced.

A plumber can fix the toilet, and you won’t waste any more water; therefore, it’s best to make the call right away.

#8 Leaky Faucet

A leaking faucet in your Schertz, TX home is more than a minor nuisance because it can waste a significant amount of water. According to the EPA, a faucet that drips one drop per second can waste up to 11 gallons of water per day, causing your water bills to increase considerably. If you allow the problem to persist, the dripping can escalate to a steady stream over time, wasting twice as much water; therefore, it’s best to hire a licensed plumbing service provider.

A few problems can cause your faucet to drip, including:

  • The gasket or washer is worn.
  • The O ring is loose.
  • There is corrosion in the valve seat.
  • The faucet has reached the end of its lifespan and should be replaced.

A plumber can figure out why the faucet is dripping to solve the problem.

#9 Frozen Pipes

When the nighttime temperatures in Schertz, TX, drop below freezing, your pipes can freeze. If you try to turn on the water on a cold night and nothing comes out, you should call a licensed plumber right away.

When the water in the pipes freezes, it expands, which can cause the pipes to burst. Burst pipes are a homeowner’s worst nightmare because the home can flood.

A plumber can thaw the pipes quickly before the pipes burst. They can also suggest ways to prevent the pipes from freezing again, such as letting the water drip when the temperature drops below freezing. They can also wrap your pipes with heat tape to prevent the pipes from freezing.

Why Choose bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio?

If you have a plumbing problem and need to call a licensed plumber, call Bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio. We are a full-service plumbing company and are members of the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association.

Our technicians are professionally trained, highly skilled and experienced, and can handle all plumbing issues.

Unlike many other plumbing companies, we do our best to make our services affordable and don’t charge a trip or overtime fee. In addition, we have money-saving coupons on our website, making certain plumbing services and equipment more affordable.

We understand that plumbing problems are inconvenient and can occur anytime, so we offer emergency service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you have a plumbing problem that can’t wait, we will send a plumber to your home as quickly as possible to resolve the issue.

We have provided excellent service for our customers over the years and have an excellent reputation in the community. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and are a Top Rated and Elite Service on Home Advisor. In addition, we are a Google Guaranteed business with a 5-star rating.

If you need any plumbing services, give bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio a call or book online.

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