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Plumbing systems can develop a wide variety of issues. This can include anything from clogs to a toilet that won’t stop running or a pipe that suddenly leaks. Not all issues require the help of a plumber, but you should definitely call one if you’re experiencing any of the following issues with your home’s plumbing.
1. Sewage Backing Up Inside Your House
One of the most serious plumbing situations is when you start having sewage backing up and flowing out into your house. If your sewer line is clogged, you’ll always end up with sewage overflowing out of the lowest drains in the house, i.e. shower and floor drains in your basement. Backups can also occur because your sewer line is broken or collapsed. Any time a backup occurs, you should immediately call a plumber and not use your plumbing at all until your sewer line has been inspected for damage and unclogged if needed. If you flush the toilet, take a shower, etc., you’ll just end up with even more sewage flowing out into your house and a much bigger mess to clean up.
2. Noticeable Sewage Odor Outside Your House
Another serious issue is if you suddenly start smelling a noticeable sewage odor when standing in your yard. The only real reason this will ever happen is if your sewer line is damaged to the point sewage is leaking out into the ground. There is also a chance that a neighbor’s sewer line is leaking instead. Nonetheless, you should be able to tell quite easily by walking in front of the houses next to you to see if the smell gets stronger or weaker.
If you suspect it’s your sewer line that’s leaking, we definitely recommend not using your plumbing until you can have a plumber perform a sewer camera inspection. The reason is that sewage could potentially seep through the foundation and into your crawl space or basement depending on how close the leak is to your house. With a camera inspection, the plumber can quickly determine the extent of the damage and whether your sewer line can be repaired or if you need to replace it.
3. Leaking Pipe
A leaky pipe is also a major issue since it can cause extensive water damage and possibly lead to mold growing inside the wall or ceiling. Some leaks are obviously difficult to spot at first, but even a small leak will usually lead to a large increase in your water bill. You should also always look out for telltale signs of a leak, such as bubbling paint or yellow water stains on a wall or ceiling. If your dishwasher, toilet or shower drain is leaking, you may notice the nearby floor feels soft or the flooring is starting to warp or pull up from the subfloor. You can sometimes fix a leaky drain pipe under a sink on your own, but you should always call a plumber immediately if you have a leaky water line.
4. Dripping Faucet or Showerhead
A dripping faucet or showerhead may not seem like a big deal, but it can still waste quite a bit of water every month. Fixing a faucet or showerhead is sometimes fairly easy if you know what you’re doing. However, you’re often better off calling a plumber just so you don’t potentially do further damage that could force you to replace the entire faucet or showerhead.
5. Water Heater Is Leaking or Has Other Issues
Water heaters can leak from a few different places. If water is dripping out of the pressure relief valve near the top of the unit or the drain valve near the bottom, a plumber can fix the issue just by replacing the valve. If water is leaking from the tank itself, your only option is to replace the water heater. When facing this situation, it’s a good idea to close the valve on the cold water inlet pipe and then turn the shower on to fully drain all of the hot water out of the tank. This is because if the tank has corroded to the point where it’s leaking, it could end up bursting and creating a massive flood.
Another obvious sign that you need to get your water heater inspected is if you don’t have hot water. You should also contact a plumber if your water temperature often fluctuates, your hot water looks discolored or smells bad or if it takes much longer for your water to reheat. Some of these issues can be repaired fairly easily, but it depends on the specific cause and how old the water heater is.
If you need the help of an experienced plumbing company in the Waldorf area, ACW Service Inc is the one to trust. We’ve been serving the community for more than 30 years, and our experts are ready to handle all of your repair, installation and maintenance needs. No matter what issue you’re dealing with, give us a call and we’ll get it taken care of quickly and professionally.
