The plumbing system is an essential part of your home. It determines how well water flows into your home and how wastewater flows out of your home. A proper plumbing system provides access to clean water in your home. A working drainage system also prevents flooding, rodent infestations, odors, and diseases by draining wastewater and runoff water.
However, like any other system in your home, your plumbing system’s components degrade with time. This degradation affects the plumbing system’s performance and the overall water flow in and out of your house. Fortunately, several telltale signs will tell you it’s time to check on your home plumbing systems.
This blog post discusses six signs you must look out for to know your system needs some work:
1. Water Leaks
One of the most prominent signs your plumbing system has a problem is water leaks around your house or lawn. If you notice water pooling around the base of your toilet or any other plumbing fixture in your home, it may be a sign of a leak somewhere in the system.
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When this happens, the best thing to do is to call a professional plumber to assess and fix the problem. For example, suppose you’re in Sutherland Shire in Sydney or anywhere else. You can get a plumber to fix leaking taps, pipes, and appliances.
Even small leaks can lead to more significant problems if you ignore or repair them improperly. Depending on the severity, a professional plumber will decide if the damaged pipe needs to be repaired or replaced entirely.
2. Unusual Noises
Notice any unusual noises coming from your plumbing fixtures? It may be a sign something’s wrong with your system. Familiar sounds include gurgling, whistling, and banging noises. These sounds usually indicate that the water pressure in the pipes is too high or that there are blockages in the drainage system.
The noises are standard on the walls where pipes pass, the toilet tank, and the basement. However, the noise can be because of high water pressure and shouldn’t be a significant concern. But if they persist, then it’s time to check the system.
3. Brown Or Rusty Water
Brown or rusty water in the sinks and showers means soil and other debris could enter your pipes. It could also mean that the metal pipes in your home could be old and rusty, causing discoloration. In some cases, it could be because of corroded faucets, shower heads, or other plumbing fixtures that need replacement.
Calling a professional plumber to inspect the plumbing system and recommend solutions is essential. They’ll also test the water quality and suggest ways to improve it.
4. High Energy Bills
Plumbing systems working efficiently keep your water and energy bills from soaring quickly. However, water leaks and blockages in the drainage system can waste water and energy. Blocked drains mean the pumps work harder, consuming more energy than usual.
Review your water bills in the last six months to see if there are any unusual changes. If you do, it’s probably time to call a professional plumber to inspect the system and recommend solutions.
5. Slow Draining Fixtures
A functioning plumbing system will have proper drainage in flow traps, kitchen sinks, bathrooms, and toilets. Therefore, if your drains take longer to empty than they used to, it’s a sign that something is wrong in the system.
The cause could be clogged drains or broken pipes that need repair or replacement. For example, when kitchen oils and food debris accumulate inside the pipes, it causes clogging and slow drainage. To fix this, you need special equipment such as hydro-jetting and drainage snakes to unclog the pipe or replace the broken parts.
6. Odour Around The House
Clogged pipes and slow drainage often lead to foul odor around the house. Sewage odors can cause discomfort and health risks to you and your family. Therefore, it’s vital to have faulty pipes fixed as soon as possible.
Pipes that are rusted or broken can also emit unpleasant smells, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom areas. The odor is most common when you let the water run after prolonged inactivity. If you don’t check your drainage system in time, the smell could attract insects and pests into your home, introducing a potential health hazard.
Conclusion
Letting your plumbing system break down can be costly and hazardous. Maintaining plumbing fixtures is vital to avoid leaks, blockages, and high energy bills. But if you notice any of the signs above, then it’s time to call a professional plumber. That way, they can inspect the system and advise accordingly. Preventive measures can help ensure that your plumbing system always functions efficiently.
