Many of the plumbing problems you encounter in your home are relatively minor issues. Even if you do not have a lot of knowledge of or experience with working with pipes, you may be able to fix them yourself. However, there are also major problems that can arise that may be beyond your power to control. When these occur, you need to call a plumber Austin.
However, how do you know whether it is a serious problem that needs a plumber or it is a minor issue that you can correct yourself? Here are some important signs to watch for.
1. Unpleasant Smells
Your olfactory can sometimes alert you severe plumbing issues that other senses might miss. A strong odor of sewage, or a sulfurous smell similar to rotten eggs, may be a sign that a sewer pipe underneath your house has broken. It is important to deal with this right away. Otherwise, it could damage your foundation and pose a risk to the environment as well.
2. Slow Drains
The pipes in your bathtub or sinks can become clogged, causing them to drain slowly after you run some water. You can usually cope with a minor clog yourself. However, if you have to try too hard to clear the clog, stop trying and call a plumber instead. You may accidentally damage the pipes otherwise.
3. Low Water Pressure
This is another problem that may have a simple solution or be more complicated than it initially seems. If the faucet in your bathroom or kitchen sink exhibits low water pressure, it may merely mean that the aerator is caked with gunk. Resolving the issue is a simple matter of removing the aerator and cleaning it off. However, if this does not help, the problem may be much more serious, such as an eroded waterline or a fractured pipe. Issues such as these require a plumber to repair.
4. Hearing Running Water
You may protest that water is supposed to run through your pipes and you are supposed to hear it. Yes, but only when the water is in use. If you hear the water running when there is no water in use, that could indicate a leak somewhere in the system. You can check the water meter for confirmation, but it will probably require the services of a plumber to locate and repair the leak.
Water running in your toilet is a different matter. This can often be a simple fix but may require a plumber if it involves the internal components of your tank.