Common Plumbing Problems That May Be Risky to Ignore
By Brian Sodoma, for Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts
As we move into winter, many homeowners tend to prioritize maintaining their boilers and other heating equipment, potentially forgetting about other important utilities. While protecting your heating is always smart, your home’s plumbing system might need some attention too.
You may want to consider an annual plumbing inspection. After all, plumbing problems are often only found when something breaks, but it’s also probably true that your system may have been giving you warning signs for a while. To minimize your risk of needing serious repairs, here are five often overlooked signs that your plumbing system needs immediate attention.
1. Low Water Pressure
If the plumbing’s water pressure 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 to your home or a pipe within it, explained BJ Richardson, a Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts plumbing manager.
However, if the pressure drop is isolated somewhere, like the bathroom or kitchen, it might be a fixture problem. It could be a simple fix, such as replacing a faucet aerator or addressing a water heater issue. Or it might be something a little more complex, like a supply line leading to that room.
“I always encourage families to look at their water bill too. If these pressure drops happen at the same time when you suddenly see 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 way we determine you have a leak somewhere.”
In certain situations a sudden drop in water pressure starts at the municipal supply – if that’s the problem, that is easily resolved with help from a booster pump.
2. A “Sewer” Smell Somewhere in the Plumbing
“While kitchen or bathroom sink clogs can sometimes lead to unpleasant odors because of debris, a persistent sulfur or rotten egg smell suggests a problem. 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 best left to the professionals, Richardson said.
Be aware that although propane and natural gas possess a distinctive smell, such leaks can be confused as a sewer smell. When in doubt, consult with a professional.”
3. Rusted or Discolored Piping
Discoloration and visible wear on exposed pipes are other signs that are often ignored. If you’re in your basement, outside or anywhere in your home, it’s useful to examine the piping exposed to the open. Discoloration and noticeable wear usually indicates an impending leak.
The most common discoloration appears in an area of the plumbing where two pipes join. Ignoring such discoloration is risky when it comes to the main water supply because they are pressurized, Richardson explained. When an exposed pipe breaks, it can start flooding your home very quickly.
With certain pipes, discoloration can be caused by the different chemicals municipal services employ to sanitize and treat the water.
4. Slow Drains
We understand it may be tempting for homeowners to solve all clogs with liquid drain cleaner, but that’s usually only a temporary option that could backfire and damage your plumbing system. While we’ve all heard of clogs caused by hair, the reality is hair is not the actual culprit. Items such as cleaning supplies, toothpaste, hand soaps and even the oil produced from our skin create a layer of scum on the drain walls that accumulates hair and other foreign objects, which most liquid drain cleaners won’t clear away. Employing a mechanical snake or drain machine will be the most effective method to address this type of obstruction. Usually, if there is considerable debris inside the pipes below the sink, cleaning it usually clears up the problem. But when this doesn’t work, it could indicate a more significant issue.
“The thing you ought to keep an eye on is if multiple drains are clogged, and the problem doesn’t resolve itself even after you clean the drain under those sinks,” explained Brian McMasters, a Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts division plumbing manager. “The sewer line may also need cleaning, but in some plumbing systems, the issue comes from tree roots that reach and crack a sewer line. Handling this kind of situation is obviously a bigger project and requires trenching down into the ground until we find the exact location of the leak to repair it.”
5. Wet Spots in Your Front or Back Yard
Regularly inspect the exterior of your house, including your yard. It’s wise to try and take a look every week. Often, a broken underground water or irrigation line leak, or even a sewer main line leak, shows itself gradually, after a lot of water has already leaked out. Keep an eye out for soft, sunken spots in the grass as these may suggest a hidden issue.
“You also want to be on the lookout for things such as unusually green patches in typically dry or yellow areas of the lawn,” mentioned McMasters. “In many cases, that’s a sign you’re dealing with a problem that needs an expert’s attention.”
Find out everything you need to know about avoiding common issues with plumbing systems and receive expert help at Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts.