Sometimes, it can be difficult to detect the kind of shape that your plumbing is in. In fact, most homeowners don’t think about their plumbing system very much at all, particularly when nothing is necessarily going terribly wrong. Out of sight, out of mind after all, right? Unfortunately, this isn’t the best mindset to have about your plumbing.
It’s pretty much inevitable that at some time, you will need a plumbing repair. When this does happen, it’s important that you’re able to address it right away in order to prevent it from becoming a bigger emergency. So, what are the signs that it’s time to call in a pro?
You Have a Decline in Water Pressure
A decline in your water pressure is one of the more apparent indicators that your plumbing system is in trouble. It is typically caused by one of two possible circumstances—a clog, or a leak. The more severe the problem is, the more water pressure you’ll lose.
A steady loss in water pressure over time indicates that there is a problem that is progressing gradually. The most likely scenario is that you have a small pinhole leak or limescale buildup. A sudden drop in water pressure, however, means that you likely had a pipe rupture, and this needs to be dealt with ASAP. The bottom line is that a drop in water pressure should never be ignored—call us right away if this happens!
You See Your Water Bills Spike
Your water bills will naturally fluctuate throughout the year. However if your water bills get significantly higher month after month, even if you haven’t changed how much water you’re using, you should probably have a plumber take a look. Untypically high monthly water bills can mean that water is exiting your plumbing system through a leak, which is still being counted as water usage, and contributing to the spike in costs that you’re seeing.
How can you make sure this is actually the source of your high water bills on your own?
There is a way! Turn off all the plumbing appliances throughout your house, and then look at your water meter. If the meter is still running after a few minutes, then you likely have a leak somewhere in your plumbing system. You will want to have one of our plumbing pros have a look to see how severe your plumbing issue is.
Visible Water Damage
This is, unfortunately, one of those “worst case scenario” type of deals. Visible water damage is unfortunately sometimes the first sign that homeowners see that they have a plumbing problem. This is often the case with things like pinhole leaks, which are often too small to cause immediate damage but can and will eventually start rotting out drywall or wood flooring around it.
For expert plumbing service, installations, or maintenance contact Reliance Plumbing Sewer & Drainage, Inc. Our knowledgeable plumbers serve the North Shore and Northwest Chicago suburbs. Rely on Reliance for professional plumbing in Northbrook, IL.