When Should You Call Out a Plumber?

Table of Contents

1. Call Out a Plumber
2. No hot water
3. There is no water at all
4. Your water heater is overheating
5. Low water pressure
6. Drains are blocked
7. Your faucets will not stop dripping
8. Your toilet is constantly overflowing
9. Septic tank overflow
10. To Sum Up

Call Out a Plumber

When you try to fix plumbing problems on your own, you run the risk of ending up ankle-deep in water that is seemingly coming from nowhere. Of course, we all like to do things ourselves whenever it is possible, but repairing toilets and sinks can cause significant damage to your home so you need a plumber to get it repaired. Leaks in the walls can cause severe structural damage or go undetected for long periods.

According to Paul the Plumber, it is best to call a professional plumber to help in some situations. Here are some of the most common problems you should call in a plumber for.

No hot water

After the kids have been showering for an hour or two, it’s normal to have no hot water. However, it’s not normal to take a few hours for the water to heat up again. If you have repeated water heater problems and there is never enough hot water, you need to call a plumber.

You may not have enough hot water because your tank is not big enough for your household’s needs. Or, you may have a heater problem if there’s only cold water.

Plumbers are also able to find out what is causing any temperature fluctuations. After adjusting to a shower that jumps from ice cold to blazing hot, you can be badly burned if something doesn’t work correctly and the temperature fluctuates without warning.

Once you determine the size of the tank you’ll need, a professional plumber can help you install the tank and help you troubleshoot any other minor problems.

There is no water at all

You should call a plumber if you don’t get more than a drip coming from your taps in the morning. The issue could be a frozen pipe, a leak, a backup, or a problem with the main water line. If the water to your home has been shut off or there is a leak somewhere else, you should immediately call a plumber.

With the right equipment, you can quickly restore water pressure if water is working on one floor of your home but not the other.

Your water heater is overheating

Weeping or sweating from a water heater is often a sign of a slow but steady leak. Most of us find out first when working around the water heater or checking the pilot light and notice a damp area near the water heater.

Eventually, small leaks will lead to bigger problems if there are cracks in the piping or the casing. If you catch them early, you can keep the repair costs low and the damage minimal.

Low water pressure

Water that doesn’t flow forcefully is usually a sign that you need to have your plumbing inspected by a professional.

For instance, if it is one bathroom, maybe an aerator is clogged. Having the aerator unscrewed and the sediment cleaned out will solve this problem. A vinegar soak or scrubbing may also be sufficient.

When you experience low pressure that is not only in one single fixture, you should call a plumber immediately for assistance.

Drains are blocked

Whether it is tubs and toilets or faucets (both indoors and out), clogs are common in plumbing. Using a plunger and a little muscle, you can undo some of these clogs on your own. However, a plumber should be contacted if you are unsuccessful, or if there is a persistent clog.

Plumbers can use cameras to find problems that may be causing long-term problems in pipes. Possible problems include hair buildup, grease buildup, roots getting into underground systems, and septic tank problems.

Your faucets will not stop dripping

Consider this: you will pay for 500 gallons of additional water every year if your shower drips just 10 times a minute. If you have the time, you can fix a leaky sink right away. Most people, however, forget about it and it ends up taking months to repair.

The most straightforward fix for a drip is to tighten the pipe, apply a plumber’s tape, or install a new bracket, but sometimes that’s not enough to solve the issue. It’s possible for a pipe to crack or an element to be installed incorrectly to cause a steady drip. Other factors such as pressure buildup may also be contributing to the problem.

When you can’t fix these minor issues or are overwhelmed with other things on your to-do list, you’d be wise to call a plumber to take a look. Plumbing technicians generally charge by the hour, so you can save money by having your problem look at multiple problems in your home at once. A plumber can also answer your questions about upcoming remodeling and other projects when checking your leaks.

Your toilet is constantly overflowing

Overflowing toilets are a normal part of life, especially when there are young kids in the house. There are times when these issues are apparent, and other times when the root cause is hidden – like when your toilet overflows without being visibly clogged. Often, a toilet that runs constantly can be resolved by replacing the flapper, which saves you money on your water bill.

Turn off the water if your toilet overflows. If possible, turn off the water and use another facility until someone can inspect the toilet. Most toilets have a water shutoff underneath the bowl on the left or at the back.

You are likely experiencing a blockage if your toilet starts to flow after flushing. A plunger usually gets rid of clogs in the toilet because it dislodges whatever is stuck. If a few plunges don’t work, however, call a plumber. Continuously plunging could damage the toilet and possibly the pipes.

Professional plumbers have tools to unclog your toilet quickly, determine the problem, and help prevent it from occurring again. Sometimes this involves a more thorough cleaning of pipes, while other times, it may involve checking your entire home and its connection to local sewer lines.

When your toilets overflow seemingly for no reason at all, you could have a clog in your drain pipes, either in the main drain pipe or the sewer line. Any time you run any appliance, from the dishwasher to the shower, such clogs will cause your toilet to overflow.

A clogged pipe usually finds a release for excess water in the toilet, which is often the lowest point in the drainage system, other than the clogged pipe itself.

Septic tank overflow

Full septic tanks can also cause backflow in private homes. In addition to causing a stinky mess, your family may also be exposed to sewage, harmful fumes, and other waste. Call a plumber for these issues and schedule regular septic tank cleaning.

If your septic tank overflows or clogs often, it is recommended that you clean it out every 18 months at the very least.

To Sum Up

Plumbing issues are bound to happen in your home at some point. Handle simple fixes independently, but call a plumber for the mentioned issues. An expert can help you diagnose, fix, and prevent future problems – saving you time and money in the long run.

Thank you for reading!