Plumbing Problem? Forget DIY And Hire A Plumber | Cibolo, TX

1/26/2024

Being a homeowner comes with many responsibilities, and home repairs are one of them. As a renter, your landlord was responsible for fixing anything that went wrong, and now that you own a home, you must handle home repairs yourself. It’s normal to worry when anything in your house stops working correctly, including your plumbing system. You need running water all day to perform daily household tasks, and the drainage system must work correctly so the water can exit the home. You also rely on your fixtures daily, such as the toilet, sink, tub, and water-based appliances.

Many homeowners attempt DIY repairs to save money, which is great for some projects, but not plumbing problems.

Licensed plumbers undergo years of training and apprenticeship to learn their craft, and without the proper training, you could do more damage by attempting a DIY plumbing repair. If your plumbing system experiences any of the following problems, it’s best to hire a licensed professional.

#1 Slow Drains

The water should flow quickly down the drain when you allow it to run, and if it drains slowly, there’s likely a small clog in the drain. You can’t let the water run for too long if the water drains slowly because there’s a risk of an overflow. It’s better to eliminate the clog than change how you do things. Many people use liquid drain cleaners to avoid hiring and paying a professional, but these products contain harsh chemicals that could damage the pipes. It’s better to hire a licensed plumber.

A licensed professional has the tools necessary to eliminate the clog safely so the water flows freely down the drain.

#2 Drain Clog

A complete drain clog indicates a significant clog, preventing any water from draining., resulting in standing water that can’t drain. This is more serious than a slow drain because you won’t be able to use the sink or tub, which can be very frustrating. A liquid drain cleaner won’t help; you should hire a licensed plumber. It’s best to make the call immediately because bacteria can form in the standing water, creating a health hazard in your house.

The plumber will have the tools necessary to eliminate the clog and the equipment to ensure the entire clog is removed. When the job is complete, the water will flow quickly down the drain, and you can use the fixture again.

#3 Toilet Clog

We’ve all had to deal with a toilet clog at one time or another, and in most cases, it’s not a cause for concern. Plunging the toilet will eliminate the clog in most cases, allowing you to flush the toilet, and it won’t overflow. If you try to plunge the toilet and it doesn’t work, you should hire a licensed plumber.

Toilet clogs occur when too much water and waste are flushed. Clogs also happen when something is flushed that shouldn’t have been, such as feminine products, paper towels, wipes, or a child’s toy. The plunger won’t be effective if the clog is too large, solid, or too far down the drainpipe, and a licensed professional has the tools necessary to eliminate any clog.

They’ll arrive at your home with the necessary tools to eliminate the clog, and they can remove the toilet if the clog is too far down the drainpipe to gain easy access.

It’s best to make the call immediately because you can only use the toilet once it’s unclogged, which can be incredibly inconvenient if you only have one bathroom. When the job is complete, you can flush the toilet without worrying about it overflowing.

#4 Sewer Line Clog

A clogged sewer line is a serious issue because the clog will continue to escalate over time, and eventually, the water and waste won’t pass the clog, and the water will have nowhere to go. If this happens, it will back up into the house, leaving a nasty, smell, hazardous mess all over the floor.

You can’t see the sewer line because it’s underground, and the most common sign of a clog is if multiple drains in your house are slow or clogged completely.

A licensed plumber can eliminate the clog and inspect the line for minor clogs that will escalate over time. It’s best to make the call immediately to prevent a backup in the house.

#5 Plumbing Leak

Plumbing leaks are one of the most common calls plumbers receive. A few problems can cause a plumbing leak, such as rust and corrosion, a loose or disconnected joint, or failed sealant.

Leaks can occur anywhere in the house, and some are easier to detect than others. A leak under the sink will create a puddle in the kitchen cabinet or the bathroom vanity and can be noticed quickly. The same applies to a leaking pipe behind the wall, as it will leave water spots. Leaks under the house can be more challenging to identify, and it’s best to recognize the signs, including:

Warm areas on the basement floor
Cracks on the basement wall or floor
Dampness in the basement
A musty smell in the basement
Water pooling by the house, and it hasn’t rained
Areas of the lawn are greener and lusher than the rest
In severe cases, damage to your home’s foundation

Plumbing leaks cause water damage and mold growth, which will continue to worsen if the problem isn’t addressed immediately. In addition, the leak will waste a considerable amount of water, causing your water bills to increase, so it’s best to hire a plumber as soon as you notice the signs of a leak.

The plumber can fix the leak by replacing the damaged pipe, tightening the joint, or replacing the failed sealant. If they cannot find the affected pipe, the plumber can use leak detection equipment to pinpoint the leak’s location to fix it quickly.

#6 Water Heater Issues

Your water heater is one of the most important appliances in your home and an essential part of your plumbing system. The water entering your house is cold, and when it fills the unit, it’s heated and stored, so you always have hot water when needed.

Issues with your water heater can affect the temperature and quality and could prevent you from using the hot water, making life in your home inconvenient.

If your unit experiences any of the following problems, it’s best to call a licensed plumber immediately.

No hot water: This can be due to a faulty heating element or the unit’s age.
The water doesn’t get hot enough: This could be due to an issue with the thermostat, a faulty heating element, or the unit’s age.
You run out of hot water often: This can occur if your water heater doesn’t store enough water to meet your family’s hot water demand. It can also happen if a significant amount of sediment forms in the tank, taking up space meant for water storage.
Strange sounds: Strange sounds occur when large pieces of sediment bang against the sides of the tank or at the bottom.
Brown or rust-colored water: This indicates contamination due to sediment buildup, or the inside of the tank could be breaking down.
Poor water pressure: Sediment from the tank can clog the waterline, affecting the water pressure.
Moisture on or around the tank: This occurs if a hose is cracked, loose, or disconnected.
Water pooling around the unit: This indicates a crack in the tank, allowing the contents to flood your house.

A DIY water heater repair isn’t recommended because these units are complex, and one simple mistake can cause more problems. Also, water heaters run on electricity, gas, propane, or oil, which are dangerous to work with if you don’t have the necessary training. Finally, if the unit is under warranty, a DIY repair will void it, and you’ll have to cover the cost of future repairs yourself.

A licensed plumber has the skill and experience to fix the unit safely and correctly, and the warranty will remain valid.

#7 Frozen Pipes

Winters in Cibolo are relatively mild; however, the temperature can drop below freezing during a cold snap, and most homeowners aren’t prepared for freezing weather, putting their pipes at risk of freezing. If you try to turn on the water when it’s below freezing outside, and nothing comes out, there’s a good chance the pipes have frozen. This is a serious problem because when the pipes freeze, the water inside will freeze and expand, and it could cause the pipe to burst. This is the last thing you want to deal with because water will leak, creating a flood in your home, so it’s best to hire an emergency plumber if you think your pipes have frozen.

They will thaw the pipes as quickly as possible, eliminating the risk of bursting. Before the plumber leaves, they’ll give you a few tips, so you’re prepared for the next cold snap. The plumber will suggest allowing the water to drip from the faucets when there’s freezing weather in the forecast. They can also wrap the pipes in heated tape, reducing the risk of them freezing again.

#8 Dripping Faucet

A dripping faucet may seem like a minor annoyance because it’s only dripping, and you’ll get used to the sound in a couple of days and won’t even hear it anymore. However, a dripping faucet is a bigger problem than you think, and hiring a plumber is best.

A dripping faucet can waste over 11 gallons of water, and the longer you allow the problem to persist, the more water you’ll waste, and your water bills will be higher than usual. Also, the situation can worsen over time, and eventually, the dripping can escalate to a steady stream that you can’t turn off.

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

Worn-out gasket or washer
Lose O ring
Corrosion in the valve seat
The faucet is old and should be replaced.

The plumber will inspect the faucet to determine why it drips and whether it can be fixed or if a replacement is the best option.

#9 Running Toilet

Your toilet should run immediately after it’s flushed to refill the tank and prepare for the next flush. The toilet should stop running when the tank is full, and if it doesn’t, you should hire a licensed plumber.

A running toilet wastes up to 30 gallons of water daily, and if it isn’t addressed immediately, your water bills will increase considerably.

A few issues can cause the toilet to run constantly, including:

The flapper is cracked or damaged.
The chain is broken.
The float is too high or low.
The refill hose is too long.
The toilet is old and should be replaced.

A licensed professional can determine why the toilet constantly runs so they can fix it or replace the toilet if necessary.

Call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio

If your plumbing system acts up and you need to hire a plumber, look no further than bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio. We’re a full-service plumbing company and a one-stop shop for home repairs.

Our plumbing techs have undergone years of professional training and apprenticeship. Their knowledge and skill have allowed them to tackle some of the most challenging jobs in the plumbing industry. One of our plumbing techs will arrive at your house on time in a fully-stocked truck when you schedule a service call. This allows them to make most repairs on the same day, eliminating the need for a second service call, which is more convenient for you.

If you have a plumbing issue that must be addressed immediately, don’t worry. We provide emergency service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and we’ll get a tech to your house as quickly as possible to resolve the problem.

If you need to schedule an appointment for plumbing service, call us at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio or book online.

See our previous blog on this topic here.