Most Common Questions Homeowners Ask Their Plumbers | Houston Heights

7/9/2020

Photo By AaronAmat at istock

Homeowners in Houston Heights often don’t think about their plumbing until something goes wrong. Most of your plumbing is hidden in the walls and floors of your home, so it’s frequently a case of out of sight, out of mind. However, when you discover a leak or other plumbing issue, you’ll need the help of a plumber quickly. In this article, we’ve created a list of the most frequently asked plumbing questions, so you know when to call in the professionals.

1.  Why Is My Faucet Leaking?

Dripping faucets are one of the most common plumbing complaints. Faucets often leak because corrosion has damaged the gasket, O-ring, or valve. If you feel confident, you can try replacing these parts yourself. If this doesn’t fix the leak, or you’re not comfortable attempting the repair, a plumber can solve the problem for you quickly and easily.

2.  Why Are My Water Bills Rising?

Are your bills hiking month on month, but you can’t see an obvious reason why? The answer may be that you have a hidden plumbing leak. A professional can use leak-detecting acoustic listening devices to find the source of the leak without tearing into your walls, even if the damaged pipe is concealed under concrete. They can then repair or replace the leaking section, preventing water damage to your home and getting your bills back under control.

3.  My Drains Are Clogged. What Should I Do?

Over time, food particles and other deposits can build up in your drains, blocking them up and causing them to drain slowly. You may notice a foul smell, water gushing back up the plughole in your home, or even a sudden increase in the number of fruit flies attracted to your fixtures. If home fixes like pouring boiling water down the drain don’t work, or the drains clog up again quickly, call a plumber to give your system a thorough clean. Plumbers have special equipment that can tackle large blockages and get your system running again.

4.  Should I Get A Tankless Water Heater?

Tankless water heaters can be a good option if you often find yourself running out of hot water. They work by heating water to order when you turn on the faucet, and they don’t require you to maintain a 40-50 gallon tank of hot water in your utility room. So, you’ll have unlimited hot water instantly whenever you need it. While tankless water heaters aren’t cheap and you’ll need to pay a Houston Heights plumber for the installation, many people find that they save a significant amount of money on their energy bills with these efficient systems.

5.  What Should I Do If My Toilet Overflows?

If your toilet is overflowing, it’s important to act quickly to prevent damage to your home. First, stop any more water from entering your toilet by locating the valve at the base and turning it off. Next, mop up any pooled water around the fixture using old towels or rags to prevent damage to the floor. If you can’t unblock the toilet yourself using a plunger, call a professional out to clear the blockage and get your toilet back in working order. You should carefully disinfect the toilet and surrounding area once the problem is fixed.

6.  My Dishwasher Isn’t Draining. Do I Need A Plumber?

If water is pooled at the bottom of your dishwasher, this is a tricky problem to fix yourself. If you can’t see an obvious cause, call a Houston Heights plumber to clear out the clog. They can also clean the filters and hose thoroughly to get rid of any debris to get your dishwasher back in perfect condition.

7.  What Should I Do If A Pipe Bursts?

A burst water pipe is a plumbing emergency, so it’s important to act quickly. The first thing to do is to turn off your home’s water supply at the stopcock to stop the water flow and prevent further damage. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination, so you should switch off the electricity to the affected areas. Once the situation is safe, call an emergency plumber to fix or replace the broken pipe.

While you wait, try to mop up any flooding using old towels and clear valuable items away from the leak. Even better, clear the area of furniture and other objects entirely to give the plumber easy access when they arrive.

8.  How Do I Tell If I Have A Plumbing Problem?

There are a few telltale signs that you have an issue with the plumbing in your home. These include:

• Reduced water pressure
• Discolored or damp areas on your walls, ceilings, or floors may indicate a leak
• Inadequate hot water could be a sign that your heater is malfunctioning
• Sudden, unexplained rises in your water bills are a warning sign of a leak somewhere in your system
• Strange noises, like clanking or rattling, coming from your plumbing system
• A foul smell coming from your water fixtures

If you notice any of these warning signs, you should call out a plumbing service right away to get to the bottom of the issue and prevent further damage and inconvenience.

Call Out a Trusted Plumbing Service

If you’re at all concerned about your plumbing, it’s best to speak to the experts. bluefrog Plumbing & Drain of West Houston can answer any questions you have about your system and fix the issue to get things up and running again. Whether you’ve got a plumbing emergency like a burst pipe or a more routine issue like leaky faucets or low water pressure, our friendly plumbers are on hand to keep your system in great condition.