When faced with any problem, we usually feel that we can tackle it ourselves – especially if it’s a small one. Sometimes, it’s an easy task that we can fix. Other times, things might end up worse. And some problems, we don’t even know about them until it becomes too late. For instance, how about a leaky pipe inside the wall. You can’t tell it’s happening. And eventually, one of the results of that problem will manifest itself in an obvious, but a minor, issue that we write of as no big deal.
But how can you tell which issues you could fix up on your own and which ones are out of your depth? Without further ado, here’s a list of eight signs that tell you should call in a professional:
1-There’s no water at all:
Sometimes, one opens a tap to wash their hands, and there’s barely a drop or two that comes out. If this happens to you, this is an issue. First, you check with the neighbours to see if they are facing the same problem, or if you’re the only one. Then you get the plumber.
If the neighbours don’t have any water either, then a plumber can guide you on the problem and where to call (e.g. the local council). If it’s only a problem in your house, summoning the plumber is the only thing you can do.
2- The water won’t get hot:
It’s annoying if it’s cold or if you were looking forward to that long hot bath, but the water stubbornly stays cold, even after quite a bit of time with the heater cranked to the highest.
It is a signal to a faulty hot water system, and rather than deal with it yourself, call someone in to deal with it for you. It could be a minor issue, for instance, the pilot light goes out, or a big one, for example, that the pilot light keeps going out, again and again, no matter how many times you turn it on.
3-The water heater is sweating:
Have you noticed something odd about the water heater, as though it’s “sweating” or “weeping”? The ground around it would be damp; there would be rusty spots on it or the surrounding pipes, some parts would show signs of corrosion, or there’s a vast pool of water in the drip pan.
Call your plumber if you notice any of these signs. It means there’s a leak resulting from cracks in the piping or casing.
4- The pressure is low:
Another critical signal regarding water flow is if the water pressure is low. If you are facing any issue, you should probably call the plumber.
When it comes to faucets, it could be a minor issue, such as a clogged aerator. If the problem is limited to one tap and the pressure is standard everywhere else, you should try cleaning out the aerator.
If the problem persists in more than one part of the house, the problem lurking below the house could be much more significant and something best left to the experts. It could be a cracked or broken pipe.
5- The drain won’t work:
Clogged drains are a common issue that many people face, and usually, a plunger fixes the problem well enough. But, if the plunger won’t do you any good despite your best attempts, or if the sewer gets clogged up consistently, then it’s time you should call in a professional.
6- The faucet won’t stop dripping:
If the shower or the faucet won’t stop leaking, you should call in a plumber.
Many people ignore it or believe that it’s okay to leave since it’s a minor issue. The notion that a leaky tap is not a big issue is not entirely wrong since sometimes all that is needed is a bit of tightening of a screw. But it could also mean that somewhere behind the wall, there’s a leaky pipe or a poorly installed one. It could also mean pressure build-ups.
7- The toilet keeps overflowing:
A toilet overflowing isn’t uncommon, and they often indicate that something is stuck down there, especially if the toilet overflows right after it gets flushed. But when it overflows seemingly without reason, it signifies you have a backed-up toilet on your hands, or it’s due to faulty pipes in another drain. If a line in some other part of the house clogs up, the pressure behind the clogged pipe might build up too much. Because of a need to be released, the water might end up on your end.
8- The house smells of sewage:
Backed up clogs or drains will often stink the house up something awful. If the smell is bad enough that you can’t bear it, this is one of those instances where you must call the plumber because it indicates a huge plumbing problem. Powering through the smell and dealing with it on your own will not do the situation any good.
