If you have a toilet that won’t flush or a faucet that goes drip, drip, drip every night when you try to sleep, then you probably know that you have a plumbing issue that requires your attention.
But – how do you know when there really is a problem if there are no obvious signs?
A problem that could potentially turn into an actual emergency if the issues isn’t fixed?
Let’s take a look at some warning signs that could indicate that you either need to get out your plumbing tools or call in a professional before it’s too late.
How do you know if you have a plumbing problem? 3 ways to spot them.
#1 The Water is Slow to Drain:
When it comes to plumbing problems, a slow drain is usually one of the easiest ones to spot, but it’s also one that a lot of people ignore until it really becomes a major problem.
This type of plumbing problem is usually caused from a clog somewhere along the drain line. Depending on where the clog is and what type of clog it is, will determine whether it’s an easy fix or not.
If the clog is a combination of hair, soap, and/or grease, and is near the drain itself, you may find that you can clear it by simply placing a plunger over the drain hole and plunging until the clog is gone.
If the problem is something more serious further down the drain line like tree roots that have grown into the sewer line, however, it could require some significant snaking to resolve the issue or you may even find that you need to have your sewer lines professionally cleaned.
#2 Sudden Increase in Your Water Bill:
It’s really not uncommon for your water bill to go up a little bit for a month or two, especially during the summer when water usage is often a good bit higher, but if you see a sudden spike in your water bill for no apparent reason, it can indicate that something has changed in your plumbing system.
If you haven’t done anything that would cause you to have an increase in water usage, such as watering your lawn more than usual or increasing the number of loads of clothing you wash in your washing machine, then your plumbing system may have developed a leak.
Interestingly, one of the most common sources for an increase in a water bill can often be traced back to a running toilet. When a toilet valve doesn’t close correctly and seal, then it can cause the toilet to continue running.
This may not seem like it would be that big of a deal, but it’s similar to what would happen if you turned on a garden hose and left it running. It can end up costing you hundreds of dollars for water usage.
#3 Your Lawn Has a Wet Spot or Develops a Nice Patch of Green Grass:
It would be nice if plumbing leaks confined themselves to the house, but sometimes the leak can develop in the lines that bring your water into the house or the sewer lines that take it (and the waste) out.
A constant wet spot in your yard, especially when it hasn’t been raining is often a sign that your water lines have developed a leak. In addition to your water bill going up (as mentioned above), this is usually a good indication that something is going wrong.
Also – pay attention if you see that one section of your lawn is much greener than the other areas around it or if you seem to have sunken areas developing in your yard. If this area is between the house and the street and lies in the pathway of where your sewer line runs into your house, you may find that a sewer issue has developed.
If this is the case, you will want to get it taken care of as soon as you can because this type of problem doesn’t go away and will only get worse over time.
Do You Have a Plumbing Problem that You Need Solving?
Trinity Plumbing can help. We provide written estimates right up front, so you never have to worry about the cost. To fix your plumbing problems, contact Trinity Plumbing to schedule service.
