Complex Issues That Require A Call To A Plumbing Service | San Antonio, TX
You rely on the plumbing system in your San Antonio, TX, home all day long. Your plumbing system is in use from the moment you wake up in the morning until you go to bed. The system is also essential when your family is sleeping, as the water heater continues running to keep the stored water heated. Because you rely on your plumbing system 24-hours a day, plumbing issues can be frustrating.
With so many DIY home repair videos online and so many home improvement shows on TV, many homeowners are making home repairs DIY projects. DIY is great for some projects; however, plumbing repair isn’t one of them. Your home’s plumbing system is very complex, and one mistake can do further damage and could cause your home to flood.
If you have any of the following plumbing issues in your home, it’s best to call a licensed plumbing service.
#1 Slow or Clogged Drains
When you run the water in your home, it should flow freely down the drain. If the water drains slowly or doesn’t drain at all, you should call a plumbing service.
As careful as you are with what you put down the drains, food, grease, hair, and soap scum can create a clog in the drain, causing it to drain slowly. If you ignore the problem, it won’t be long before the clog becomes larger, and it will be impossible for the water to drain.
Many homeowners will try a liquid drain cleaner to break up the clog, but this isn’t the best idea. There’s no guarantee that the drain cleaner will remove the entire clog, and if part of the clog remains, it’s only a matter of time before the water starts draining slowly again. In addition, these products contain harsh chemicals designed to break up a clog and can damage the pipes in your San Antonio, TX home.
If your drains are slow or clogged completely, it’s best to call a plumber.
A licensed plumber can use a drain camera to inspect the pipes to determine the clog’s size and location. The camera can help the plumber get to the clog and ensure the entire clog has been removed. The sooner you call a plumber, the sooner the water will start flowing freely down the drain again.
#2 Noisy Drains
Do the drains in your home make a gurgling sound when the water goes down? If so, there is likely a large clog in the drain. Even if the water drains, you have a problem and should call a plumbing service immediately.
When large clogs form in the drain, the water will have to find a different route to get past the clog. When the water changes direction, it creates an air pocket in the pipes, causing a gurgling sound.
A plumbing service can remove the entire clog before the drain becomes clogged completely.
#3 Multiple Drain Clogs
When the drain in every sink and tub in your bathtub becomes clogged simultaneously, it’s unlikely that each individual drain is clogged. Multiple drain clogs indicate a clog in the sewer line, and you will need to call a plumber to remove the clog, allowing the water to flow freely.
Allowing the problem to persist can result in sewage backing up in the sinks and tubs, and you should schedule an emergency appointment with a plumbing service.
#4 Toilet Clogs
Toilet clogs aren’t uncommon. If someone flushes too much waste and toilet paper, it can clog the toilet. The same is true if something is flushed that shouldn’t have been, such as paper towels, baby wipes, a washcloth, a child’s toy, etc. When the toilet clogs, you can’t flush because the water will overflow all over the bathroom floor. This is a frustrating problem, especially if you only have one bathroom in your San Antonio, TX home.
In most cases, a plunger will break up the clog enough that it can be flushed. If the plunger isn’t working, you will need to call a plumbing service.
The plunger won’t be effective if the clog is located too far down the drainpipe, and the same is true if the clog is too large or too solid.
A plumbing service will send a licensed plumber to your home to remove the clog with a plumbing auger. If the clog is too far down the drain, the plumber will need to disconnect the toilet to remove the clog.
#5 Running Toilet
A constantly running toilet is another common toilet problem requiring a plumbing service call. The toilets in your San Antonio, TX, should run after the toilet is flushed to refill the tank. When the tank is full, the toilet should stop running, and if it doesn’t, there are a few issues that could be causing the problem.
- The flapper is cracked or damaged.
- The float height needs to be adjusted.
- The refill tube needs to be shortened.
- The tank’s seal is failing.
- The toilet has reached the end of its lifespan.
A running toilet wastes a significant amount of water, so you shouldn’t ignore the problem. A running toilet wastes up to 30 gallons of water per day, and up to 900 gallons per month, which can cause a drastic increase in your water bills.
A plumbing company will send a plumber to your home to inspect the toilet to figure out why it continues to run so that the necessary repair can be made. It’s best to make the call right away to avoid wasting even more water.
#6 Dripping Faucet
Most people see a dripping faucet as a minor nuisance, but this problem is more serious than you think. Even though the water is just dripping, it can still 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 and 330 gallons per month. Not only is this harmful to the environment, but it will also cause a significant increase in your water bills.
A few issues can cause a faucet in your home to drip, and you will need to call a plumbing service to find the cause of the problem.
- A damaged cartridge
- Broken washers
- Broken gasket or valve seat
- Broken O-ring
- The faucet has reached the end of its lifespan.
A plumbing service will send a highly skilled plumber to your home to inspect the faucet to find the cause of the problem. When the repair is made, the faucet will stop dripping, and you will stop wasting water.
#7 Water Heater Issues
The water heater in your San Antonio, TX, is an appliance, and it is also an essential part of your plumbing system. The water heater makes it possible for you to have hot water, and if it isn’t functioning correctly, you should call a plumbing service.
Water heater issues can cause a lack of hot water or affect your ability to use hot water. If your water heater experiences any of the following problems, you should call a plumber right away.
- You have no hot water.
- The water isn’t getting hot enough.
- Poor water pressure
- Rust-colored hot water
- Strange sounds are coming from the unit.
- Moisture or water pooling around the unit
- You frequently run out of hot water.
Many of these problems are considered emergencies because you need hot water all day long, and certain issues put your home at risk for water damage and mold growth.
A plumbing service will send a licensed plumber to your home to inspect the water heater to determine if the problem can be resolved or if you need to install a new water heater.
#8 Leaks
Plumbing leaks are one of the most common calls a plumbing service receives. Leaks can occur in a number of ways, including:
- Broken appliance seals
- Clogged lines
- Corrosion
- Damaged pipe joints
- Loose water connectors
- Excess water pressure
- Rapid temperature changes can cause the pipes to crack.
Leaks should never be ignored because leaks can cause significant water damage and mold growth. Some leaks are easy to see, such as leaks under the sink. If you open the kitchen cabinet or bathroom vanity and see water pooling, you know it’s time to call a plumbing service.
Leaks behind the walls can be more challenging to detect and often leave water spots on the wall or ceiling. Leaks under the house can cause the basement floor to feel warm or cause water to pool around the house. If the leak goes unnoticed for too long, it can cause damage to your home’s foundation.
A plumbing company will send a highly qualified plumber to your home with leak detection equipment to find the location to resolve the problem.
A leak in your San Antonio, TX, home is a serious problem, and you should call an emergency plumber immediately.
#9 Reduced Water Pressure
Adequate water pressure is essential for many daily household tasks, such as washing your hair and doing the dishes. Without proper water pressure, these tasks will take longer than necessary, and your water-based appliances won’t function.
If your water pressure is suddenly reduced, you should call a plumbing service. If just the hot water pressure is poor, the issue lies with the water heater. If the hot and cold water pressure is lacking, the issue is with the plumbing system. Several issues can affect the water pressure in your home, including:
- A problem with the main shutoff valve
- A problem with the water meter valve
- The pressure regulator is failing.
- Clogged or corroded pipes.
- A significant leak in the pipes.
A plumbing service will send a skilled plumber to your home to inspect the plumbing system to figure out why the water pressure is reduced and make the necessary repairs.
#10 Rust-Colored Water
Rust-colored water indicates contamination, and the water won’t be safe for your family to use. If just the hot water is discolored, the problem is with the water heater. Discolored hot and cold water indicates an issue with the plumbing system. As the pipes get older, they can become corroded, and the sediment and rust can contaminate the water.
It’s best to avoid using the water until a plumber comes to your home. If you absolutely must use the water, it’s best to boil it first.
#11 Frozen Pipes
Winters in San Antonio, TX are relatively mild; however, when a cold front moves in, it isn’t uncommon for the nighttime temperature to drop below freezing, and your pipes can freeze. Frozen pipes are very serious because when the water in the pipes freezes, it expands, and the pipes can burst, flooding your home.
Call an emergency plumbing service immediately if you try to turn on the water when it’s freezing outside, and nothing comes out. A licensed plumber can thaw the pipes quickly and safely before a disaster occurs. The plumber can also wrap the pipes in heat tape to protect them the next time the temperature drops below freezing.
Call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio!
If you have a plumbing issue and want to work with the best plumbing service around, call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio. We are a full-service plumbing company, making us a one-stop shop for home repairs.
We have been serving customers in the area for years and have an excellent reputation in the community and the industry. We are members of the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association, and Home Advisor named us an Elite and Top Rated Service. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and are a Google Guaranteed business with a 5-star rating.
Our plumbers are professionally trained and skilled and can handle any plumbing problem, whether simple or complex. If you have a plumbing issue that can’t wait, we provide emergency service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
To schedule an appointment with our plumbing service, give bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio a call or book online.
Priority Service