Not every home plumbing problem is easy to identify. Even plumbing issues that seem fairly basic, like a running toilet, clogged pipes, or water heaters that don’t make enough hot water, aren’t always obvious and may not give you a clear indication of the problem’s source. Most homeowners don’t know everything there is to know about the plumbing system nor do they have the correct tools to work on fixtures and pipes – and so these sneaky situations go unaddressed, which can cause a major plumbing problem to result.
Thomas & Galbraith Heating, Cooling & Plumbing offers comprehensive plumbing repairs for homeowners throughout the Cincinnati area. It’s ok if you don’t know the exact source of your plumbing issue or what causes it – a professional plumber on our team can find it and fix it fast. Water pressure problems, malfunctioning water heaters, tree roots causing clogged pipes, or even frozen pipes – whatever the plumbing issue, we can help.
Below, our plumbers discuss the methods we use to pinpoint plumbing problems whenever we visit a customer’s home to perform service. We also explain diagnostic tips you can use to hunt down a running toilet, slow drains, dripping faucets, and more so you can either fix these issues yourself or contact us to do so. Also, learn when certain plumbing issues are too serious for DIY repairs, so you know when to call a plumber.
Not everyone knows exactly what plumbing issues they have on their hands when they call a plumber to make an appointment for plumbing service. That’s perfectly fine! A professional plumber will come to your home and identify situations from a minor plumbing issue to a major plumbing problem.
There are a few steps a plumber will take when arriving on site, which allow him or her to get a better feel for your situation and to diagnose plumbing problems.
It’s important that you know how to address certain plumbing issues in the home, but it’s also helpful to know when a plumber should be brought in. Hiring a plumber can be quite expensive, and when plumbing problems are relatively straightforward and not so serious, you may be confident in making these plumbing repairs yourself. Knowing the difference between a small issue and larger problem can be difficult. One of the most important things you can do is recognize the signs of bigger problems before they escalate into an expensive repair.
Here is some important advice that will help you identify if plumbing problems exist in your Cincinnati home and where they may be coming from.
If you suddenly get a large water bill, it’s probably because you have a leak. This is especially true if this is the first time you’ve seen your water bill increase more than usual and there’s no obvious reason for your water bills to go up.
If you notice that your water bill seems unusually high, cut off all sources of water in the house, including fixtures and appliances like the dishwasher and washing machine. Next, take a look at your water meter. Some water meters have a built-in leak detection indicator, but if yours does not, the usage dial will still provide the information you need. If the numbers continue to increase or the leak detection dial moves, then there is definitely a leak somewhere in your house.
Now it’s time to look through the house to try and find those leaks. When checking for leaks around the house, it’s important to check all sources of water and plumbing.
Check these spots for signs of water leakage:
If you’re lucky, the leak will be easy to identify and fix. Dripping faucets can often be fixed by replacing O-rings or cleaning mineral deposits from cartridges. Problems with the toilet can often be hard to detect, as leaks aren’t always as obvious as a running toilet — food coloring added to the toilet tank can help show if water escapes the upper tank to the bowl, suggesting the flapper, flush valve, or fill valve has malfunctioned.
Hidden leaky pipes may appear as damp patches on the carpet or discoloration of your tile floors — standing out so long as there’s light shining on them. Other signs of a leak are mold or stains forming on ceilings and walls or wet spots appearing around your hot water heater.
A slow drain is an annoyance that all homeowners will experience at one point or another. If you notice that your drains aren’t draining as quickly as usual, it’s time to check them all. If you have one slow drain or multiple slow drains that are not draining properly, it’s important to note where they are in the home so you can determine the likely spot where the clogged drain blockage sits.
Frozen pipes can be a very annoying problem that can cause major plumbing problems. When your plumbing freezes, it can be enough to quickly burst your pipes and cause costly and extensive damage to your home. You can find the location of the frozen pipe by turning on each faucet in your house and seeing if any of them responds with water.
Frozen pipes need to be thawed right away to prevent cracked pipes and major water leaks. If you cannot thaw the pipes on your own, call a plumber for emergency repair services.
Whether you need help identifying plumbing problems or need someone to fix known issues such as dripping faucets, water heater malfunctions, a running toilet, or clogged pipes, Thomas & Galbraith Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is happy to help you. Call us today and we’ll solve your plumbing problem as quickly as possible!