Clear Plumbing Problems That May Be Risky to Ignore
By Brian Sodoma, for Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing
As we move into winter, many homeowners often prioritize checking their boilers and any other HVAC systems, potentially neglecting other important utilities. While maintaining your heating is always a good investment, your home’s plumbing system may need professional service too.
You may want to consider an annual plumbing inspection. After all, plumbing problems are often only noticed once something breaks, but it’s also probably true that your system might have been giving you warning signs for a while. To avoid serious repairs, here are several often overlooked signs that your plumbing system needs immediate attention.
1. Restricted Water Flow
If the water pressure in your entire home drops suddenly, that’s a clear indicator of an issue with the main water line. It could be a failure somewhere within the main line as well as a pipe within it, explained BJ Richardson, a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing plumbing manager.
However, if the pressure drop is isolated somewhere, like the bathroom or kitchen, it may be a fixture problem. It might be a simple fix, like swapping out a broken faucet aerator or addressing a water heater issue. Or it could be something a little more complex, like a supply line leading to that room.
“I always tell people to review their water bill too. If you notice these drops in pressure come at a time when you’re also faced with a higher bill, there may be a deeper problem,” Richardson said. “It’s smart to check your water meter if the total usage changes abruptly. That’s another sign there’s a leak somewhere.”
Sometimes a sudden drop in water pressure starts at the municipal supply – if so, that is easily fixed by a booster pump.
2. A “Sewer” Odor That Won’t Go Away
“While kitchen or bathroom sink clogs can sometimes lead to unpleasant odors due to trapped remnants, a persistent sulfur or rotten egg smell suggests a serious concern. Drains have a trap and vent inside them and one of these components can clog. If the smell lingers, you could be dealing with a clogged sewer line or even a sewer gas leak. Solving these problems is usually best handled by the professionals, Richardson said.
Be aware that while propane and natural gas possess a distinctive smell, those leaks are often mistaken as a sewer smell. When in doubt, call a professional.”
3. Rusted or Discolored Piping
Discoloration and visible wear on exposed pipes are other signs that might be overlooked. If you’re in a room with exposed plumbing, it’s smart to examine the pipes in plain view. Discoloration and noticeable wear usually points to an impending leak.
Most discoloration happens in sections where two pipe pieces are joined together. Failing to notice discoloration can be problematic when it comes to supply lines because they are pressurized, Richardson explained. When the pipe breaks, it can release a substantial amount of water into your home very quickly.
With certain pipes, discoloration comes from the different chemicals municipalities use for water treatment.
4. Slow Draining Fixtures
It’s tempting for homeowners to solve all clogs with liquid drain cleaner, but that’s usually only a temporary option and can potentially damage your plumbing system. While we’ve all heard of hair clogs, the reality is hair is not the main culprit. Items such as chemical cleaners, toothpaste, hand soaps and even the oil or sweat in our skin create a sticky scum on the drain walls that traps hair and other small particles, which most liquid drain cleaners won’t remove. The use of a drain machine or snake is our recommendation for the most effective way to take care of this type of slow drain or clog. Often, if the clog is just inside the pipes below the sink, flushing it away usually clears up the problem. But if it doesn’t, it could mean you need to look for a more significant issue.
“The thing you should watch out for is if multiple drains are clogged, and the problem doesn’t clear up itself after cleaning the drain under those sinks,” explained Brian McMasters, a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing division plumbing manager. “The sewer line might also be in need of cleaning, but in some cases, the cause of the problem is tree roots that grow into and crack a sewer line. Repairing a main sewer line is obviously a bigger project and requires trenching down to the exact location of the leak to repair it.”
5. Damp or Flooded Spots in Your Front or Back Yard
Regularly check all around your house, as well as your yard. It’s advisable to take care of this every week. Frequently, a broken underground water or irrigation line leak, or even a sewer main line leak, becomes more obvious gradually, when lots of water has already leaked underground. Look for soft, sunken spots in the dirt as these may suggest a hidden issue.
“You also want to notice things such as unusually green patches in typically dry or yellow areas of the lawn,” noted McMasters. “In our experience, that’s a sign there is a problem that needs an expert’s attention.”
Learn what you need to know about avoiding common issues with plumbing systems and get expert help at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.
