Common Issues A Plumber Can Help You With | Schertz, TX
It isn’t uncommon to worry when something goes wrong with your plumbing system. You rely on your plumbing system all day long, and if it isn’t working correctly, life in your home can be challenging.
The plumbing system in your Schertz, TX home consists of three parts.
- The water supply system allows freshwater to enter your home through the main water supply line.
- The drainage system is responsible for removing water and waste from the sewer line.
- The fixtures and appliances consist of the lines immediately off the main water supply line and the toilets, sinks, tubs, and water-based appliances.
If something goes wrong with any part of your plumbing system, it should be fixed as soon as possible to ensure the plumbing system functions correctly.
With all of the DIY videos online and DIY home repair shows on TV, many homeowners are making home repair DIY projects to save money. While DIY home repairs are great for certain jobs, plumbing repair isn’t one of them. Plumbers undergo thousands of hours of professional training and apprenticeship to diagnose and repair plumbing problems correctly. If you aren’t a licensed plumber, it’s best to leave plumbing repairs to a professional.
If your plumbing system experiences any of the following issues, it’s best to hire a professional as soon as possible.
#1 Drain Issues
When you run the water in your home, it should flow down the drain quickly. If the water starts to fill the sink or tub and drains very slowly, there’s a clog in the drain. The same is true if the water doesn’t drain and there’s standing water in the sink or tub. If you’re considering using a liquid drain cleaner because the product is less expensive than hiring a plumber, you may want to reconsider.
If the drain is clogged completely and there’s standing water in the sink or tub, the drain cleaner won’t reach the clog and will be useless. Liquid drain cleaners also aren’t the best option for slow drains. The product may break up the clog enough for the water to drain quickly; however, if the entire clog wasn’t removed, it won’t be long before the water starts draining slowly again. Also, liquid drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals designed to break up clogs and can cause damage to the pipes, causing further plumbing issues.
It’s best to hire a plumbing service for all drain clogs. They can use a drain camera to find the clog’s location and determine the size, which can help them remove the entire clog.
#2 Clogged Toilet
It isn’t uncommon for a toilet to clog occasionally. If someone flushes too much toilet paper and waste, it can be too large to make it through the drain pipe. The same is true if someone flushes paper towels, baby wipes, and washcloths, or a child flushes a toy down the toilet. When the toilet is clogged, trying to flush more than once will cause the toilet to overflow all over the floor.
In most cases, you can use a plunger to break up the clog enough so you can flush the toilet. If the plunger does not affect the clog, it’s time to call a plumber.
A plumber can use a drain auger to force the clog through the drainpipe, so you can safely flush the toilet. If the clog is located too far down the drainpipe or is solid and the auger isn’t helping, they’ll need to remove the toilet to reach the clog.
You won’t be able to use the toilet until you call a plumber; therefore, you should contact a plumber right away. This is especially true if you have only one bathroom in your Schertz, TX home because your family can’t use the bathroom until the clog is removed.
#3 Dripping Faucet
Many people consider a dripping faucet a minor nuisance that they can live with, which is the wrong way to look at this plumbing issue. Even though the faucet is only dripping, it will still waste a significant amount of water. According to the EPA, a dripping faucet can waste up to 11 gallons of water a day and up to 330 gallons per month, which will cause a significant increase in your water bill, and is harmful to the environment.
A few issues can cause your faucet to drip, and you’ll need to hire a plumber to figure out which issue is causing the problem.
- A worn-out washer
- A worn-out gasket
- A loose O ring
- Corrosion in the valve seat
- The faucet is old and needs to be replaced.
A licensed plumber can determine if the problem can be fixed or if it’s best to replace the faucet. If you schedule an appointment when you first detect the dripping, you won’t have to worry about receiving a high water bill.
#4 Water Heater Problems
Even though the water heater in your home is an appliance, it’s also an essential part of your plumbing system. When water comes into your house through the main drain line, it will branch off and fill the water heater’s tank, where it’s heated and stored, so you always have hot water when you need it.
Hot water is essential for showering, cooking, and cleaning. In addition, your dishwasher and washing machine rely on hot water to function at peak performance.
A DIY repair isn’t recommended if your water heater starts acting up. Your water heater is a complex appliance, and it takes years of training to know how to diagnose and repair issues. Attempting a DIY repair can cause further damage to the unit and will void the warranty; therefore, if the unit experiences any of the following issues, it’s best to hire a licensed plumber.
- You have no hot water.
- The water doesn’t get hotter than lukewarm.
- Poor hot water pressure
- The hot water is brown or rust-colored.
- Strange sounds are coming from the unit.
- You run out of hot water often.
- Moisture or water pooling around the unit
A licensed professional can inspect the unit to diagnose the problem, to resolve it.
#5 Reduced Water Pressure
Poor water pressure in your Schertz, TX home is a frustrating problem. Without adequate water pressure, it can take twice as long to wash your hair and the dishes. Also, your water-based appliances, such as a refrigerator with an ice maker and water dispenser, dishwasher, and washing machine, need adequate water pressure to function correctly.
If the water pressure in your home is suddenly reduced, you should hire a plumber. Various issues can cause reduced water pressure, and you’ll need a licensed professional to find the cause.
- A problem with the main shutoff valve
- An issue with the water meter valve
- The pressure regulator is failing or has failed.
- A significant clog in the waterline
- Corroded pipes
- A significant leak in the pipes.
Hiring a plumber is the best option to restore the water pressure quickly.
#6 Leaking Pipes
Leaking pipes are one of the most common calls a plumber receives. Several issues can cause the pipes to leak, such as the age of the pipes, broken seals, clogged lines, and loose connections, among others.
Some leaks can be easy to detect, and others can be more challenging. Leaks under the sink can be easily detected because you’ll see standing water in the bathroom vanity or the kitchen cabinet. However, leaks in other areas can be more challenging to notice. For example, if there’s a leaking pipe behind the wall, you might see water spots on the wall or ceiling. Leaks under the house can cause a warm basement floor, puddles in the yard, and in severe cases, damage to your home’s foundation. In some cases, poor water pressure and higher-than-average water bills will be the only signs.
If you suspect there’s a leaking pipe somewhere in your home, it’s best to call a plumber right away. The longer the pipe leaks, the greater the risk for water damage and mold growth. In addition, your water bills will continue to increase until the leak is fixed.
A licensed plumber can use leak detection equipment to find the leaking pipe and replace it.
#7 Appliance Installation
If you recently purchased a new or used water-based appliance, such as a washing machine, dishwasher, refrigerator with an ice maker and water dispenser, water heater, or a garbage disposal, a DIY installation is not recommended. If the appliance isn’t installed correctly, you could cause damage to the appliance, a leak in your Schertz, TX home, and will void the warranty if you have one.
It’s best to hire a plumber because plumbers undergo thousands of hours of training to learn to install water-based appliances correctly, and your warranty will remain valid.
#8 Frozen Pipes
Winters in Schertz, TX, are relatively mild, so many homeowners don’t take preventative measures to prevent the pipes from freezing. Although many winter days are mild, your pipes can freeze when a cold front moves in. If you try to turn on the water on a freezing night and nothing comes out, the pipes are likely frozen, and you should call a licensed plumber right away.
When the water in the pipes freezes, it expands and can cause the pipes to burst. If this happens, it will cause a significant flood in your home that can be damaging and promotes mold growth. Also, it can be expensive to remove the standing water and dry out your home. Fortunately, a plumber can thaw the pipes quickly and safely, preventing the pipes from bursting. They can also wrap the outdoor pipes in heated tape to prevent them from freezing again.
#9 Rust-Colored Water
If you turn on the faucet or shower in your Schertz, TX home, and it is brown or rust-colored, the water is contaminated, and it’s best to call a licensed plumber immediately.
Discolored hot water indicates an issue with the water heater, and discolored hot and cold water suggests a problem with the pipes. As pipes age, they can rust, corrode and contaminate the water. It isn’t safe to use contaminated water; therefore, you should call a licensed professional immediately so the corroded pipes can be replaced,
Why Choose bluefrog Plumbing + Drain Of San Antonio?
If there’s an issue with the plumbing system in your Schertz, TX home and you need to hire a plumber, call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio. We are a full-service plumbing company and provide plumbing, heating, and cooling services to customers in the area.
You can be sure that the job will be done right when you work with us. Our plumbers have undergone thousands of hours of professional training and have the knowledge and experience to handle any plumbing job, regardless of how complex.
We understand how essential your plumbing system is to your daily life and how inconvenient plumbing problems can be, so we provide emergency service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you have a plumbing issue that can’t wait, we’ll do our best to get a plumber to your home as quickly as possible to resolve the problem.
We are members of the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association and have an excellent reputation in the community. We are a Google Guaranteed business and have a 5-star rating. In addition, we have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and Home Advisor named us an Elite and Top Rated Service.
We understand that times are tough these days and many homeowners are on a budget, so we do our best to offer the lowest prices around. Unlike many other plumbing companies, we don’t charge a trip fee, and if the job takes longer than expected, you won’t be charged an overtime fee. You can also sign up for our Proactive Protection Program, which provides priority service, a free plumbing evaluation every year, and 15 percent off service.
To schedule an appointment for plumbing service, give us at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio a call or book online.
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