Without access to the right professional equipment (and experience), it can be very difficult to detect a plumbing problem. After all, most of your plumbing system is hidden from sight, and the problems that usually impact it are subtle to start out with.
This is a big part of the reason we recommend you schedule preventive plumbing maintenance on an annual basis. But, even that doesn’t mean a problem can’t happen between maintenance sessions. Beware the symptoms we’ve listed below, and should you notice any of them in your home, be sure to give our plumbers a call right away.
Decline in Water Pressure
A drop in water pressure is never a good sign and it could be caused by a few different things. Usually, a loss in water pressure means you either have a leak or blockage somewhere in your plumbing system.
A slow loss of water pressure over time means you have a growing leak or blockage, such as buildup of limescale or pinholes in degrading pipes. A sudden loss of water pressure, however, might mean you have a pipe rupture, which would qualify as an emergency. Regardless of the cause, you should call in a plumber as soon as you realize a noticeable drop in water pressure.
Higher Than Expected Water Bills
How close of an eye do you keep on your water bills from month to month? You should be looking regularly, just in case they start to rise unexpectedly. Water bills that seem to be increasing beyond what is normal for the amount of water you’re actually using may mean that you have a leak somewhere in your system.
If your monthly bill indicates you’re using much more water than you think you are, it’s a good idea to have your plumbing system inspected by a pro.
Running Water Meter
One simple way to see if your plumbing system is leaking is to turn off all the plumbing appliances in your home, then check your water meter. If the meter is still running, it means water is probably still leaving the system somewhere, meaning you have a leak. Call in a professional plumber if you notice his occurring.
Visible Signs of Water Damage
Even if you’re super vigilant about these kinds of things, the unfortunate fact of the matter is that a lot of plumbing problems only become noticeable once they’ve gotten far enough along to start inflicting damage. Pinhole leaks and other similar issues are usually found after they’ve rotted out the surrounding area with water damage.
If you notice any signs of water damage on your walls or ceiling, it’s a good idea to call a professional to check on it as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the worse the problem can get.
As is the case with any sort of home comfort issue, it’s always better to be safe than sorry—be sure to call a pro as soon as you have reason to believe that something is amiss with your plumbing system. The faster they can get to the problem to repair it, the better off your entire plumbing system will be!
For quality plumbing services in St. Louis, MO, contact Performance Plumbing today!