5 Plumbing Red Flags Homeowners Often Overlook

For a homeowner, there’s nothing more annoying than a plumbing problem, whether it’s something relatively minor, such as a dripping faucet, or a much more serious issue like burst pipes. Wouldn’t it be nice if your plumbing system could give you a hint that something’s wrong … before it escalates into a major problem? Actually, you can pick up on subtle clues that a plumbing problem is brewing. That’s why it’s important to trust your gut. If you hear strange noises, a fixture isn’t performing as it should, or something just doesn’t seem right, investigate it. It’s better to discover that you either have a minor problem or nothing is wrong than to experience the alternative — a costly plumbing episode. Here are five red flags homeowners can look for that signal plumbing problems.

Low Water Pressure

There are many causes of low water pressure, and they may not even be specific to your home. Often, issues with your municipal water supplier could cause customers to experience low water pressure. You can check with your neighbors to see if they are experiencing the same problem or call your city’s water department for clarification. Low water pressure could also be attributed to a leak inside or outside your home, a clogged or corroded pipe, or a malfunctioning plumbing fixture.

Strange Noises

Does your basement sound like a haunted house? If you hear banging pipes, this could mean the pipes are loose. When there is a change in water pressure, such as when you turn off a faucet, it could cause loose pipes to bang or rattle. This is a situation that should be investigated by a plumber, as loose pipes could eventually break. A gurgling toilet could signal a cracked or backed-up sewer pipe. When air enters the pipe, it makes a gurgling noise. A whistling shower usually means that there is buildup in the pipes, especially if you have hard water. Shutting off a faucet can cause thudding in the walls. Usually, that’s not indicative of any type of problem; the pipes are adjusting to the change in water pressure.

Slow Drains

If one of your drains is taking forever to empty, it usually means that there is a clogged or blocked pipe somewhere. Often, the culprits are hair, grease, soap buildup, or food. It’s important to address the problem promptly as a blocked or clogged pipe could seriously damage your plumbing system. In addition, slow-draining or standing water can smell terrible and invite bacterial growth.

Discolored Water

If your water is brown or a rusty color, don’t panic. Discolored water is caused by sediments and minerals, primarily iron and manganese in the pipes, especially if you have hard water. What you can do is test the water. If the discolored water is coming from the cold water tap only, then the problem is due to sediment. Let the cold water run for 20 minutes or so to see if the water clears up. If it’s only hot water that’s discolored, there is probably sediment in your hot water tank. Try flushing the tank to see if that solves the problem. If both the hot and cold water are discolored, there might be a problem with your municipal water system. For example, fire hydrants may have been recently flushed. Make some calls to see if you can pinpoint the source of the problem.

High Water Bills

If high water bills have you stymied, you could have a water leak somewhere. That is the most common cause. Even that annoying faucet with a small drip can add to increased water consumption. Also, check your toilets. If it takes them more than 20-30 seconds to completely flush, they may be using too much water. This is also a good opportunity to monitor overall water use in your household and see where you can cut back. If none of the above work, then check and see if your water provider has recently raised their rates or if you have a water meter issue.

Call Atlas Butler For Your Plumbing Needs

If you are seeing any of these red flags, give Atlas Butler a call at 1-800-FURNACE. Schedule an appointment with one of our trained plumbers who will take a look (or listen), diagnose the problem, and recommend a solution. We have proudly served Central Ohio for decades and you can trust us to take care of your household plumbing needs.