When you are faced with a serious issue, you will know immediately that you need to hire a plumber, but what happens if you are not sure? There are less obvious problems that might require a professional’s attention and it is important to know how to spot them. If you avoid fixing an underlying plumbing issue, over time, the costs of the repairs could increase. Additionally, a leaky pipe that is not fixed on time can severely affect the structure of your house.

If you are considering selling or leasing, you should know that you might have to renovate the bathroom and repair any plumbing issues. So these are the most common problems that property owners and managers should always take seriously.

1. Problems with the drainage

When your toilet is clogged, you should first try to solve the issue by using a plunger. If the plunger is not working, then the issue is further down in your sewerage system. A toilet will usually be directly connected to the sewerage system, so if you notice any of the following issues, make sure you call a plumber:

• If your other fixtures, such as the bathtub or the sinks are not draining normally.
• If soapy water is coming up from the drains or in the bathtub when you are washing clothes. When the water cannot go down the drain, it usually means that you have a blocked drain.
• You might also have a blocked drain if the water level rises or you notice bubbling in the toilet while you use the tap.
• Drainage problems can also be indicated by water coming out of the sinks or bathtubs when you flush the toilet.
• The problem might not be in the drains if more than one sink is too slow to drain. If you could not fix the issue with a plunger, then you most likely need a professional plumber.
• If you notice that the water has an unpleasant sewage smell, you probably need to call a plumber immediately. Keep in mind that ideally, plumbers and electricians, should be professional tradesman that are licensed and certified.

2. Damp lawn or garden

It is normal for your garden soil and law to be damp after a rain. However, if you notice an area that would not dry, then you might be dealing with a broken pipe. An underground broken pipe is definitely not something that you should try fixing yourself. You need to hire a plumber, who can locate the exact source of the problem and replace or repair the damaged pipe.

You might also have a problem with the drain field. Drain fields are most commonly found in rural Australia, as they are parts of the septic systems. A broken drain field can sometimes be repaired, but in some cases, the whole septic system might need to be replaced.

3. Dampness under your house or damp floors

Pipes can burst anywhere, not just in the garden or outdoors. There are water pipes under the floors], which is why they can cause problems indoors as well. If you start noticing that your floors are damp all of a sudden, you might have a broken pipe. You should also look for leaks under your house. If you find damp spots there, then you most certainly have a leaking pipe.

If you neglect or ignore the leaky pipe, then the problem is more than likely to worsen. In order to avoid that, you should hire a plumberwho can replace your pipe or fix it. A neglected plumbing issue can lead to a huge home repair bill.

4. Low water flow rate

If you start having low water pressure, then you might be dealing with a sediment buildup in your water system. You might be able to solve the problem by simply removing and rinsing the aerator. If the water flow does not improve, then the problem might be more complicated. Low water flow rate could also be caused by a fractured or broken pipe.

If you have low water pressure in more than one place, and cleaning the aerators was not helpful, you need to hire a plumber as soon as possible. If the broken pipe is not visible, it might damage your foundation, so you should always take a water flow problem seriously.

5. Problems with the hot water system

Hot water systems are normally expected to last a long time, but they can sometimes break. As a general rule, hot water systems last around 10 years, but that is not always the case. If you notice any of the following issues, then you might want to consider replacing the hot water system.

• A leak in the hot water system is always an indication that something needs to be repaired. Leaks will almost always indicate the fact that you should hire a professional tradesman. More often than not, a leak will appear at the outlet and inlet valves. Do not neglect having these repairs done as soon as you notice a problem, or you might need to replace the whole system.
• Water that has an abnormal color can indicate corrosion on the inside of your water tank. This is an issue that usually happens if the ‘sacrificial anode’ has not been replaced for a long time. This component should protect the water tank from corrosion. If your water is rusty colored, then you should call a plumber. He might be able to fix the issue and if not, worst case scenario you might have to replace the whole hot water system.

• If you notice any unusual noises coming from the hot water system, you might be dealing with a sediment build-up. These noises can be caused by the steam bubbles that are rising from under the sediments. A professional plumber will remove the sediments, thus getting rid of the noises and extending the life of your water system.
• If you need to repair your water system frequently, then it might be time for you to replace it. Investing in new one might be less expensive than calling a plumber every month. Additionally, a new hot water system can also be more efficient and help you save up on your electricity bill.
• If you’ve had the same water system for more than 10 years you should have it checked by a plumber. Upon inspecting it, the plumber can tell you whether the water system is in good shape, or it might need to be replaced in the foreseeable future.

6. Dripping faucets

A dripping faucet is usually a minor problem, but if you have more than one dripping faucets, then you might be dealing with something more serious. Did you know that one leaky faucet can waste as much as 20,000 liters of water in one year? Imagine how much water is wasted if you have several leaky faucets. Leaky faucets can be the result of having too much water pressure. By hiring a plumber to find the source of the problem and repair the faucet drips, you will save a lot of money. 

7. Damaged water line

Water lines carry the water into our homes and are generally expected to last a very long time. However, this doesn’t mean that the water lines won’t need repairs once in a while. If you suspect that you might have a problem with your water line, look for the following signs:

1. If you start noticing that your water pressure becomes lower and lower over the course of a few months, you might be dealing with a build-up of limescale.
2. Generally, the water line will mostly be underground, which means that you will not be able to see most of it. However, there are some portions of the water line that are above the ground. Check these portions out and notice if there are signs of corrosion. If you happen to see any leaks, or signs of a chalky substance, then you should have your water line inspected and repaired.

Plumbing issues should never be put off, as they might get worse and lead to further damage. Make sure that you take each of the aforementioned signs seriously and hire a plumber sooner rather than later. By acting in a timely manner, you avoid any further damage to your house and to the foundation.

If you notice multiple problems, make sure you tell the plumber so he can check all of them out. Keep in mind that repairing leaky pipes is much cheaper than replacing entire water systems or fixing the foundation of your house. If you are thinking about renovating your home and your budget is tight, do not postpone the plumbing repairs. Hire a plumbing specialist today!