You never know when you’re going to have a plumbing problem in your St. Paul, MN, home, so the best thing you can do is make sure you know how to spot these problems. Unfortunately, it can be tough to know when something is wrong with your plumbing system if you’re not a pro. However, there are a few telltale signs of common plumbing problems. If you want to know what to look for in terms of plumbing problems and when to call a plumber, here are five signs you should never ignore.
1. Water Quality Problems
You might not think about it very often, but the water quality in your home changes quite frequently. As a matter of fact, water quality in a home tends to get worse over time as pipes and fixtures corrode. If your water quality gets too bad, however, you should call a plumber and have them check things out.
In some cases, a change in water quality could simply be a result of a problem with the city water supply. It’s a good idea to look up the water quality in your city and see if there are any official warnings about the water.
Other times, bad water quality could mean that some sort of contaminant is getting into the water that shouldn’t be there. This could be something leached from the ground, the pipes or somewhere else. Regardless of what’s getting in your water, you should call a professional if it’s starting to smell and taste funny.
2. Low Water Pressure
People rely on water for a lot of things on a daily basis, but that water can’t do its job right if it isn’t coming out of fixtures at the right pressure. If you’ve been in your St. Paul, MN, home for a while, you might notice that the water pressure is starting to drop a bit. If this is the case, you should have a plumber check things out and make sure there isn’t a bigger underlying problem.
Oftentimes, fixing low water pressure is as simple as replacing the aerator on a faucet. Most people think it’s their pipes getting clogged, but it’s usually something on the fixture itself. You know this is the case if you only have low water pressure on one or two fixtures. If you lack water pressure throughout your entire home, you should have a plumber inspect your pipes.
3. Hot Water Problems
The last thing any homeowner wants is to have no hot water when it’s time to shower. The truth of the matter is, losing access to hot water is a fairly common problem because water heaters simply aren’t made to last forever. Even if you keep up with maintenance, you need to replace your water heater every 10 to 12 years.
The best way to make sure you don’t get stranded at home with no hot water is to have your water heater inspected regularly and replaced when the time comes. If you have a water heater that’s well over a decade old, it might be best to simply replace it right now. You can also have the sediment flushed occasionally to slow the corrosion process. Ultimately, you should talk to a plumber about whether or not you need a water heater and what you should do to maintain yours.
4. High Water Bills
As is the case with any utility bill, your water bill can definitely fluctuate a bit. If you spend a week away one month and start a garden the next month, you’re going to see a reasonable increase in your bill. However, your water bill should never suddenly shoot up when there’s no explanation as to why that might have happened. If you do notice a sudden spike in your water bill, you should call a plumber right away.
In some cases, a high water bill may simply be the result of a problem with your water meter or a small leak in your water main. In other cases, it could be a result of a burst pipe or something else that could cause extreme water damage. Even a running toilet can increase your water bill by quite a bit. Because it’s hard to say why exactly your water bill went up, it’s best to have a plumber check things out and make sure you don’t have any leaks or other problems.
5. Slow Drains
Chances are most of the sinks in your home don’t fill up with water when you wash your hands. If you do notice water pooling up in a sink from a simple 20-second hand wash, you’ve got a slow drain that needs to be taken care of. A slow drain is the final step before a drain becomes completely clogged, so it’s best to take care of the clog now before it gets worse.
The good news about slow drains is that plumbers can fix them in no time at all and it won’t cost you a fortune. If a drain cleaner isn’t enough to knock the clog out of your drain, the clog can be manually removed. It’s important that you never try running a snake or auger yourself as these tools can cause massive pipe damage when used incorrectly.
Give Us a Call
When you own a home, you have a responsibility when it comes to taking care of that home. Not only do you need to keep an eye out for problems, you need to call an expert for help before those problems get out of hand.
Lucky for you, Paul Bunyan Plumbing & Drains has you covered when it comes to plumbing problems in your St. Paul, MN, home. Whether you’ve got a leak, no hot water or low water pressure, we’re happy to help you get it fixed. When you need a plumber, call Paul Bunyan Plumbing & Drains at (952) 209-9329.
