Are you wondering how to spot plumbing problems before they become an enormously expensive problem?
It’s a good idea to get the skill of identifying plumbing problems sooner rather than later to avoid issues getting worse and potentially flooding your home. This guide will walk you through the top five signs to look for in your home.
Sewage Odor
If you’re walking around your home and can smell an odor that can be best described as sewage, you’re likely having some plumbing problems in your home.
A sewer-like smell in your home is an indicator of either a dry drain trap or a damaged vent line. Sewer gas is usually directed to a vent through your roof to keep it out of your home. Additionally, your drain has a trapping mechanism that uses water as a plus to keep the gas from coming out of your drains.
Weak Water Flow
Weak water pressure is a common plumbing issue that can indicate a blockage in your pipes.
If you have weak water flow in only one faucet, then the problem can be isolated to either the faucet having a faulty flow or the pipe leading up to it being slightly clogged. Alternatively, if you find all the taps in your home giving weak water flow, then the problem may be linked to damaged or clogged main lines before they’re distributed around your home.
Dripping Faucet
Dripping faucets can be a costly plumbing problem, as they run up your water meter and strap you with a high bill at the end of the month.
A dripping faucet is an indicator of a damaged or faulty washer on the seal that keeps the water blocked from flowing when the tap is turned off. If replacing the silicone-based washer doesn’t work, then a part of the faucet called the valve set may be the cause of the drip. This would mean a complete replacement of the fixture.
Slow or Clogged Drain
A slow or clogged drain can spell out major water damage in your home if not resolved.
This plumbing issue can be as simple as some hair caught in the pipe near the drain, or it can be a deeper issue with some hardened grease further down the pipe. This issue can be easily solved with some snaking and a drain unclogging solution.
If the issue isn’t isolated to one drain, this can mean bigger issues, like damage to the sewer line. You can check this out via backflow testing.
Bubbling Ceiling or Wall
Bubbling on your ceiling or wall means your pipes have sprung a leak somewhere that is now dripping on your drywall.
Plumbing problems like these need to be fixed immediately to prevent mold growth — which is detrimental to your health — and further damage to the structural integrity of your home. A drip can easily turn into a full-blown flow.
Solving Plumbing Problems
These common plumbing problems can lead to major water damage and flooding if you don’t catch them early enough. This is why it’s important to identify these issues sooner to intervene than let them cause more problems.
Like what you’ve read? Be sure to check out our advice section for more do-it-yourself maintenance!
