Plumbing repairs are necessary for the long-term health and safety of your home. The pipes in a home are meant to last for the lifetime of the house, but corrosion or damage from water or other sources can make them fail over time. If a pipe is broken or leaking, your family could be in danger.
Signs you might need Littleton plumbing repair:
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A leaky faucet
This is probably one of the most common problems people experience when their plumbing is not working properly. It is important to know that if the leak comes from only one faucet or fixture, it is likely caused by a loose washer or O-ring. Faucets usually have a gasket under the handle, which may have come loose or dislodged itself from its place. The handle may also be cracked or broken, which can cause water to leak from underneath it as well. If you can see any signs of wear and tear on the handle, this would be something to look into before calling a plumber for repair.
Leaking toilet tank or tub spouts
A steady stream of water is coming from under your sink or just outside your toilet tank or tub spout. This could signal an issue with the tub spout or drain pipe under the sink, but it’s best to check for leaks at both ends, the pipe connecting to the wall behind the toilet, and outside of your house if it’s visible from there. Leaks in either location are likely caused by worn washers, which are inexpensive and easy to replace with basic plumbing tools.
Low water pressure
It may seem obvious, but the first sign is low water pressure. If you’re not getting enough force from your shower head or faucet, you could be in for some expensive repairs. This can also cause damage to your piping system and fixtures, so you need to nip it in the bud as soon as possible.
Rusty and brown water
If you notice a lot of rust or dark discoloration in the water coming from your faucet, it’s probably time to call a plumber. Rust and discoloration can indicate the buildup of sediment within your pipes, which can lead to clogs and potentially burst pipes. You need to get this problem fixed before anything worse happens. Rusty and brown water is never a good sign.
Gurgling sounds in your toilet or sink
If you hear weird noises from your toilet or sink, it could mean the air is traveling through the pipes. This usually isn’t a huge deal, but it can cause major damage to your piping system if left unchecked. To fix this problem, you’ll want to hire a professional plumber, who will most likely have to replace all the piping in the affected area.
Discolored water
Discolored water can be caused by loose sediment in your pipes. The sediment can be dislodged by a combination of water pressure, such as when you go higher in elevation, and temperature changes, like when you turn on the hot water. Discoloration can also be caused by rust deposits forming inside your pipes over time.
Because of this, discolored water is often a sign that it’s time for plumbing repair. Not only does discolored water look ugly, it indicates that potentially harmful matter is being mixed into your drinking supply.
A foul smell
If you smell a foul odor or notice that water drains very slowly, it’s time to get a plumbing repair service out to check your sewer lines. The slow drain can be caused by tree roots growing in the pipes. A clogged pipe could mean that your sewer line is backed up. These problems can be extremely expensive to fix if left unattended, especially if you have experienced any of these signs for multiple months, as it may indicate a more serious issue.
Frozen pipes
Pipe freezing can happen to any household water system, indicating a more severe problem. This happens when the water in the pipes is at an extremely low temperature and cannot flow freely because of a restriction or a break in the line. A pipe freeze will cause the water within the pipes to expand faster than it can escape, causing it to freeze within the pipe. This will leave you without running water for your home and could result in long-term problems if left untreated.
Key Takeaway
While most people think of plumbing as a fairly simple system, there are many different components behind the scenes: the pipes and fixtures, the water supply, the drainage system, and more. Each of these is vital to ensuring you have a safe, functioning house. If any of these systems start to fail, it’s vital to get your plumbing repaired promptly.
