Obvious signs like a dripping faucet, a toilet that’s running a bit longer than usual, and the slow movement of the water through your kitchen sink are easy to spot for homeowners looking to optimize their plumbing. But, what about the plumbing issues that aren’t as noticeable? There are several subtle signs that you may have a major plumbing problem on your hands.
It’s wise to follow up on these silent signs from an early point so that you can prevent them from morphing into very expensive issues.
Your Pipes Are Discolored
One of the most notable silent signs that you have a plumbing problem is when your pipes start to look much different in color from when you first moved into the home. Should there be any signs of discoloration, particularly around the union, then it’s likely that a lot of moisture is present. Such an issue may be caused by dripping from a drain line. In more severe cases, there are slow leaks within the supply line that can lead to fast problems if they aren’t addressed immediately.
Weakened Water Flow
If you notice that water isn’t gushing out of faucets in multiple locations, then this is a sign that you have a potentially big plumbing problem on your hands. If it was just one faucet giving trouble, then the problem could be linked to an issue with the faucet aerator, which is usually regarded as a simple fix. However, when multiple faucets aren’t functioning properly, you’re looking at a problem with the water main, hot water heater, or the main supply line.
Low water pressure and bubbling paint are two indicators that the water isn’t flowing the way that it should be. When you notice these pain points, it’s time to call a plumber at your earliest convenience.
Sewer Odor
Drains need traps and traps need vents. Each of these elements is necessary to keep sewer gas from coming into your home. These vents should successfully channel sewer odor to your roof while traps create water plugs that act as barriers that prevent sewer odor from coming through sink drains.
Whenever you smell sewer gas or sewer odor in your home, it’s a sign that you have faulty traps that have run dry. Or, it’s a sign that your vents have cracked. While dry traps can easily be refilled with water, cracked vents can’t easily be fixed because the vents are usually enclosed within walls. This requires quite a bit of drywall surgery to try and repair the issue.
Big Jumps in Water Bills
A sudden increase in your water bills can be an indicator that there are plumbing issues you’re unaware of. Usually, a running toilet will cause such a sharp increase, possibly because of a faulty toilet valve. Running toilets can lead to your bill picking up hundred of dollars of costs you may not have budgeted for.
If you’re unsure of what exactly caused the jump, query the bill first. But, it’s likely that your provider noticed that there’s a plumbing problem that you haven’t noticed.
When you spot any of these quiet signs, don’t stay silent. Contact the experienced plumbers at Icon Plumbing to deal with the problem.