4 Crucial Situations that it is Time to Call a Plumber
Have you ever ventured on doing plumbing repair on your own only to find out that you should have called a plumber? Of course every homeowner should be able to do minor plumbing work especially in case of emergencies. But, knowing when it is time to call on a licensed professional plumber can give you a lot of savings. So when is it time to call a plumber?
Dripping Faucets
This is one of the most common plumbing problems experienced in many homes. Normally, dripping faucets are the result of worn out washers and gaskets. Sometimes, the problem can be traced to the seals that help to keep the water inside the pipes rather than allow it to flow to the outside.
When the washers become stiff or dislodged, it will fail to great the proper seal that will prevent water from dripping when the faucet is closed. This can be quite annoying and can jack up your water bill without being noticed. Replacing washers are normally a do-it-yourself job, but, depending on the type of faucet that you have, you may need specialized tools.
Is it better to buy the specialized tools than to call a plumber? Obviously not, since you do not expect to replace faucet washers frequently. Possibly, the most would be once a year or even longer. Some ceramic taps for example use ceramic plates to create the seal. This may require less maintenance, but it still has rubber washers inside. Replacing the washers for this type of faucet can be quite difficult to do so it is better to leave it to the experts.
Running Toilets
There are very few homeowners who have not been subjected to the bathroom plumbing problem of running toilets. The anatomy of the toilet is rather simple with a few moving parts. This makes it quite easy to troubleshoot and repair in case of leaks. Sometimes, the solution is as easy as jiggling the flush handle to stop the leak.
However, as with most parts of the home plumbing system, the problem is not as simple as it may seem at first. Sometimes, you have already gone through replacing the flapper, fill tube, float apparatus, and even the gaskets, but the toilet continues to run. This can be an indication of something more than just a mechanical problem. It can be that the water pressure is too great that the seals of the toilet cannot contain the flow of water. In this instance, only a highly trained licensed plumber can inspect the toilet and effectively stop it from running.
Low Pressure
If high water pressure is a problem, the same can be said with low water pressure. Normally you may think that this is just a matter of turning the main water valve more to allow more water into the system. This is not always the case though since it is entirely possible that the source of the low water pressure is with the supply rather than something that has to do with the plumbing system inside your home.
Usually you would need to test the water pressure coming from your main water valve to help isolate the problem. If the water pressure from the supply is adequate, then the problem may have something to do with mineral deposits on the aerator or the showerhead. Another potential thing to consider is that the problem may have something to do with corroded pipes. Isolating the problem is no easy task and can be quite daunting. This is why you will need to call on a licensed plumbing service to help you properly resolve the problem.
Clogged Drains
When it comes to clogged drains, the problem can be either a completely stagnant water or a slow draining one. The most common knee-jerk reaction is to get a plunger and go at it until the smooth flow of the drain is restored. Some homeowners would go as far as using a plumbing snake to get the obstruction dislodged.
Most of the time this works. However, with the complex nature of the home plumbing system, a clogged kitchen drain for example may only be a symptom of a bigger obstruction that may be present on the main line. So, if you are facing clogged or slow draining lines often, you have to be aware that it is time to call in a professional plumber for drain cleaning.
There are a lot more plumbing problems that you will encounter as a homeowner. The general rule of thumb though is if you are in doubt, just call out. Get in touch with Scott English Plumbing, they can help you with all your home plumbing problems.