I’ve always found that I’m thankful to have a plumber near me, especially when considering that plumbing problems tend to strike when least expected, usually leading to expensive repairs, water damage, and huge disruptions to your general daily life. Many of these issues can be prevented with a combination of early detection, routine maintenance and the correct preventative measures, but in some cases, you’ll need to contact a plumber immediately.
This article will be an exploration of the main preventative measures a homeowner can apply to protect their plumbing system, from how to find hidden leaks and keep drains from clogging to preventing low water pressure. Never hesitate to call a licensed plumber in the instance of more serious plumbing problems or whenever you want a guarantee that a thorough job will be done.
A Plumber Near Me: Common Warning Signs of a Plumbing Problem
Plumbing issues rarely spring up overnight, instead, you can often find early warning signs of these issues, which a sharp homeowner can catch before disaster strikes. One of the most common indicators of an oncoming crisis is a sudden drop in water pressure, which often indicates a hidden leak or clogged pipe somewhere in the house.
Slow-draining sinks or ominous gurgling sounds coming from drains could be a sign of a developing blockage that could end up devolving into backups or even burst pipes. Discoloured water with a brownish or yellow tint might be a sign that the pipes are rusting or that sediment has been building up in the water heater.
If you smell unusual or unpleasant odours coming from your sinks, it could be a symptom of a cracked sewer line or venting issue somewhere in the system. Finally, mysterious increases in water bills are a clear sign of hidden leaks.
Worried that you won’t be able to catch these issues? A professional plumber can assist and give your home a full diagnostic to catch any possible problems before they get worse.
Regular Maintenance From A Plumber Near Me
If you want to prevent your plumbing system from giving you disruptive or expensive issues, it’s going to need consistent maintenance from your end. One of the best ways to do this is to perform regular inspections of all your plumbing and pipes, looking to spot any issues that might be bubbling up inside of the system. This way, you can identify them while they’re still small and patch them up without much hassle.
You’re also going to want to flush your water heater at least once a year, which makes it more effective and lengthens its lifespan, as you’ll be removing any sediment buildups. Place strainers over your drains and occasionally flush them with hot water to prevent any drainage issues from slowly building up inside of them.
Don’t forget the outside of the house, where you can check sprinklers and hoses for any leaks. If you keep up with this simple routine of maintenance, you’ll ultimately be saving yourself lots of time and money in the future, as the likelihood of some serious issue slowly building up is far reduced.
While many of these are easily done by the homeowner themselves, a professional plumber can perform all these tasks with efficiency and confidence, giving you some peace in the maintenance of your plumbing.
A Plumber Near Me: Preventing Pipe Bursts in Cold Weather
Frozen pipes are one of the main causes of pipe bursts, often resulting in disastrous water damage and expensive repairs. When temperatures plummet, the water inside pipes freezes and expands, putting immense pressure on pipes from the inside- leading to them cracking or bursting. Homeowners can prevent this by insulating exposed pipes in unheated areas like basements, attics and crawl spaces. Foam pipe insulation, heat tape, or even simply wrapping pipes with towels can help keep some of the cold out of pipes and prevent them from freezing over.
Keeping a steady but small trickle of water running from faucets helps prevent freezing by keeping the water moving through the pipe. Maintaining a consistent indoor temperature even when you’re away from your home can also help prevent pipes from freezing over. Using heat to do this would be expensive, so you’re going to benefit from closing up any gaps or cracks around doors and windows to prevent cold draughts from blowing in, which might freeze over pipes placed near external walls.
If, however, any pipes have frozen over despite your best efforts, it’s best to call a professional plumber to assist you as soon as possible to help minimise the damage.
A Plumber Near Me: The Dangers of Clogged Drains and How to Avoid Them
A clogged drain might not seem like the biggest issue out there, but make no mistake, if left alone, clogged pipes can lead to serious plumbing problems, including but not limited to pipe damage, foul smells, and even sewage backups. Historically, buildups of grease, food particles, hair, soap scum and other foreign objects have been the biggest culprits of drain blockages. In particular, kitchen sinks tend to be the source of build-ups of grease and oil, which solidify inside of pipes, creating very stubborn blockages. Prevent these clogs by outfitting your kitchen sink with drain strainers to catch debris.
If there is grease clogging up your pipes, you can pour in a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to help get rid of it. If it’s a particularly robust clog, you can use enzyme-based drain cleaners to break down the organic material without damaging your pipes.
Worried homeowners who feel daunted by a particularly stubborn blockage can rely on the help of a professional plumber to resolve the crisis for them, as they are experienced and equipped enough to handle these with ease.
A Plumber Near Me: Avoiding Water Pressure Problems
Water pressure is super important to both the effectiveness and lifespan of your plumbing system. A pressure that’s too low makes everyday tasks like showering, washing dishes and filling parts a slog. This annoying issue may be caused by clogged aerators, sediment buildup in pipes, leaks, or some kind of issue with the larger municipal water supply. On the other hand, water pressure that’s too high can be just as problematic, putting strain on your pipes, fixtures, and appliances. This can lead to leaks, burst pipes, and quickly wearing down appliances like washing machines and dishwashers.
You can check your system’s pressure with a gauge located somewhere on the exterior of your house or near it. For reference, the ideal residential water pressure ranges between 40 and 60 psi. If it’s registering any higher than this, a professional can install a regulator to help protect your pipes and fixtures. Conversely, low pressure might mean you need to clean out faucet aerators or fix a few leaks, both of which can be easily done by a professional plumber, helping keep your plumbing system working in top order.
Leaks: Letting A Plumber Near Me Find and Fix Them
Even the smallest leak can lead to significant water damage, a mould growth issue, and skyrocketing water bills if left unchecked. Many of these leaks go totally unnoticed because they happen in hidden places like behind walls or within the foundation of a house. You might only notice these because of damp spots through the house, peeling paint, musty or mouldy odours, or a sudden unexpected increase in water bills.
If you’re worried this might indicate a hidden leak, turn off all your appliances that use water and go check the water meter. If you see that it’s still ticking away, you probably have a leak on your hands. If you fear that you’re dealing with a major leak, and even when dealing with smaller leaks, especially in a hard-to-reach area, you’d be well-advised to contact a professional plumber to fix it before it becomes a crisis. Leaks can be complicated to resolve, so trying to resolve the issue yourself can be difficult, and you may find yourself spending hours trying to apply fixes just to end up with the same problem that you had at the beginning.
When To Call A Plumber Near Me
This article demonstrates that certain preventatives and fixes can certainly be handled with basic DIY skills, but this isn’t always the case. Other, more serious issues will require the expertise of a trained professional to make sure that the situation doesn’t escalate into an expensive and wet disaster. Consider simple tasks like unclogging a drain with a plunger, replacing a worn-out washer in a leaky faucet, or tightening a loose pipe fitting; these are all easily done with a well-stocked toolbox and the right attitude.
Persistent leaks, major pipe blockages, low water pressure or sewer line problems are all issues that fall firmly in the domain of licenced plumbers. Any signs like water discolouration, foul odours or unusual gurgling noises coming from drains, or water pooling around a house’s foundation are clear indications that you’re dealing with something above your pay grade.
Attempting to fix these more serious problems without the right training can lead to expensive escalations like pipe damage, flooding, or even violations of local plumbing codes. Instead, calling a plumber at the first signs of dire trouble can save time, money, and stress. The benefits of getting a plumber involved at the first sign of an issue is the guarantee that a professional is taking care of it. Trying to do it all yourself may just end up being a more expensive and time-consuming process than you initially intended.
Final Thoughts On Calling A Plumber Near Me
Plumbing problems can be a costly and disruptive affair, but the good news is that that with the right preventative measures and a good plumber on speed dial, you can overcome common issues before they devolve into major disasters. The best way to stay proactive is to stay informed, which begins with knowing how to spot the signs of common plumbing issues.
Even better than being able to sort a crisis out is to be able to prevent it, which is largely going to take the form of a rigorous stance around plumbing maintenance. But remember that while there are certain repairs and preventative measures you can implement yourself, bigger issues should always be left to the expertise of a professional plumber.
If you find yourself looking up “a plumber near me”, just give Plumbing Ways a call at 078 551 7660 instead. As industry leaders, we’re more than happy to help you with any and all plumbing issues that you may have in Cape Town and surrounding areas. Reach out today!