7 Signs That You Have Faulty Plumbing and What To Do About it

Over the course of a year, most homeowners will spend thousands of dollars on necessary repairs. For most, a portion of this will be dedicated to plumbing, whether for leaks in a toilet or upgrades to rusting pipes. While there's no way to avoid plumbing issues completely, there are signs that can point you to problems before they become worse. By being aware of these and what you can do about them, you'll be able to minimize damage and potentially save a good chunk of money.

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1. Clogged Drain

If you spend a lot of time waiting for your sink to drain or you're standing in a bath by the time you're done with your shower, it's likely your drains are clogged. Unfortunately, this can come with bad smells rising from the pipes, which can make the problem even more unbearable to deal with. For most households, this causes frustration and wastes quite a bit of water over the course of a month.

What can you do to resolve this problem? The experts at Canberra Plumbers recommend investing in a plunger. While you should have one dedicated for your toilet, it's worthwhile to grab one for sink and tub drains as well. In addition to this, pipe snakes can help get rid of clogged debris, such as hair from the tub. However, if this is an issue that continues, it's best to have your drains professionally cleaned to prevent water waste or leaks.

2. Your Toilet Constantly Runs

This may be one issue that wastes the most water, as most units will run through approximately 200 gallons per day. You will notice this problem when you hear your toilet seemingly flushing itself or sounding like it's running for longer than normal. This will quickly get worse, so it's recommended to have repairs done as soon as possible.

There are a number of reasons why this happens, ranging from a decayed toilet flapper to a broken float arm. You can do an inspection of the tank to see if you can identify the issue and determine which parts need to be replaced. Jiggling the handle may also help stop the water from running, although the root cause of the problem will still need to be identified. If you're not comfortable doing toilet repairs, it's recommended to hire a professional.

3. Leaking Pipes

Leaking pipes occur all throughout the year but are especially common in the winter. If you notice water dripping, address the issue as soon as possible. Waiting can result in water damage, which can be dangerous and costly to repair.

For most homeowners, it's beneficial to have a plumber identify where the leak is coming from. They can also analyze the health of the pipes to determine if there is decay anywhere else. While the leak may just be from a joint or frozen pipe, it's best to be cautious in order to minimize damage.

4. Your Water Heater Keeps Turning Off

There's nothing worse than getting into the shower only to be surprised by cold water. The cause of this is likely a faulty water heater, especially if maintenance hasn't been done in a while.

To see if this is a simple error on your tankless water heater, go take a look at it. In most situations, you can easily reset it. However, if you have a tank or resetting doesn't help, a plumber will need to look at the unit. Maintenance may also help, although older water heaters may need to be replaced completely.

5. Water Stains

If you see water stains on your ceilings or floors, this is a red flag that there may be faulty plumbing in your home. Even if the stain is dried up, that doesn't mean the problem has fixed itself. Black mold may even be present in areas where you can't see, especially if the drywall or floors weren't properly repaired.

It's best to have a plumber take a look at your pipes to see if the leak has traveled elsewhere. In most situations, this is a simple fix, although older homes may require pipe replacement in order to prevent additional leaks.

6. Leaking Faucet

The constant drip of a faucet can quickly become an annoyance both day and night. It can also waste quite a bit of water, which will lead to an increase in your water bills. While you can ignore this problem for a while, it's better to tackle it as soon as possible in order to minimize damage and avoid wasting water.

Hiring a plumber is the surefire way to get this problem taken care of with assurance that it's done right. However, if you want to try a DIY repair, first determine where the leak is coming from and turn the water off. Try replacing old parts to see if that resolves the problem. You may also want to replace the faucet completely if parts are completely rusted out or broken.

7. Low Water Pressure

If you have low water pressure, you might find yourself doing normal tasks, such as showering or washing dishes, for longer than you'd like. This is something that's very common with older homes although it can happen to new homes as well. Instead of dealing with it, you'll want to address the issue as soon as possible.

To identify the problem, first turn off the water and then remove the shower head or faucet head. From here, remove any debris or buildup and turn the water back on. If this doesn't resolve the problem, you may have clogged pipes that must be cleaned by a professional to restore your water pressure.

Keeping Tabs on Your Plumbing

No matter what the age of your home is, it's important to be aware of your plumbing in order to quickly identify any issues on the rise. From odd sounds to water seeping from a hidden corner, vigilance can pay off. When you catch a faulty plumbing issue quickly, you're likely to pay less to fix it and experience fewer issues in the repair process as well.