Plumbing IssuesWhen to Call a Professional
Plumbing issues are one of the most common problems homeowners will run into during the time they own their home. This can especially be a concern to owners of an older home in which the plumbing has not been updated. With modern technology piping and fixtures have become more energy efficient; however, the entire plumbing system throughout the home usually needs an overhaul in order to be able to function properly alongside its new elements.
Even with newer plumbing and piping running throughout a house, plumbing issues will often arise. The plumbing is used in different capacities 24 hours a day; therefore, is a part of homeownership that people need to be prepared to take care of. Often there is no warning that a pipe is broken, or leaking, until some damage is done. In addition, it is not always apparent that something has gone wrong involving the hot water heater. Knowing the location and phone number of a local plumber is essential for quick, reliable service.
For plumbing questions, it is always advisable to consult a professional, whether residential plumbing or commercial plumbing. The work of a professional plumber branches out far and wide, and includes a long list of tasks. Plumbers fix and replace broken toilets, as well as installing new, energy efficient ones, they repair water supply lines and waste disposal systems, as well as performing many other very unglamorous tasks around the customer’s house. Amazingly, 38% of water usage in a typical home comes from toilets being flushed. Being a professional plumber involves a great deal of knowledge, as well as physical strength. Yes, heavy lifting and climbing, both over and under, are all involved!
Statistically, every person will spend an average of three years of their life in the bathroom.
Because of the constant flushing of the toilet, many people will choose to have a low flush toilet installed which will typically save about 18,000 gallons of water per year. Many plumbing issues are avoided in this way, in addition to its cost effectiveness.
Resolving plumbing issues can be a simple fix or can be more complicated. Many homeowners will opt to go the DIY route for small problems that arise; however, it is wise to have the phone number of a local plumbing service on hand just in case things become confusing. In addition, a local plumber is a good source of information when questions arise.
Troubleshooting plumbing problems is the way that a professional will get to the bottom of a plumbing issue. Obviously, a homeowner knows there is a problem when they can hear a constant dripping from a faucet, or when they hear running water within a section of the walls of their home. If a leaking faucet is suspected, the best time to listen for the dripping is when the house is at its most quiet. A drip in itself seems like a small problem; however, over the course of time, even a single day, one drip turns into one thousand drips, and there is the cause for concern.
Water pressure within pipes can become a big concern as well. Under constant pressure the pipes will eventually begin to corrode and maybe even develop cracks through which water will escape. Over time this leaking can cause mold and even puddles. This type of problem may warrant the removal of plaster or drywall in order to fix it, and, if left unchecked, will become a bigger problem the longer it goes on. For many people this is much more than a DIY project, and a call to a good plumbing service will be necessary in order for the job to be done correctly.
Another way that a plumber will check to be sure that there are no leaks throughout the home is to check the home’s water meter. With all water valves shut off the meter will be read and then reread a little while later. If the meter registers any amount of water flow during the time all the valves were shut off, there is most likely a leak somewhere in the system. This is also something that the homeowner can do, but it will typically be done as a step in regular maintenance by a professional.
