If there’s any household problem that’s pretty much inevitable for any homeowner, it’s a plumbing problem. And this type of problem can be hard to detect without professional experience and tools. Most of your plumbing system is hidden from view after all, and the problems that typically impact it are subtle to start out with.
This is part of the reason why we suggest scheduling preventive maintenance at least once a year! But even with maintenance, it’s a good idea to get familiar with the warning signs that your plumbing system is experiencing problems. On the rare chance that a problem does happen between maintenance sessions, you’ll be able to catch it quickly and get it repaired. Read on as we uncover some of these symptoms and what they might mean.
A Decline in Water Pressure
A drop in your water pressure is never a good sign. It could be indicative of a few different things, depending on how severe the loss is and how quickly it declines. Usually, a loss of water pressure means you have either a leak or a blockage somewhere in your system.
A slow decline in water pressure over time means that you likely have a growing leak or a growing clog, such as with limescale. A sudden loss of pressure, though, means you probably experienced a pipe rupture. This qualifies as a plumbing emergency and you should call us right away!
An Unexpected Increase in Your Water Bills
It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your water bills from month to month, just in case they start to increase without cause. Water bills that seem to be increasing beyond what’s normal for your level of use during this same time of year probably indicates you have a leak somewhere in the system. If anything seems out of the ordinary with your water bills, it’s a good idea to give us a call.
A Running Water Meter
One relatively simple way to see if your plumbing system has a leak is to turn off all the plumbing appliances in your home, then check your water meter. If it’s still running, it means that water is still exiting your system somehow—meaning you have a leak.
Visible Signs
You might be super vigilant about maintenance and checking for potential problems, but sometimes no homeowner knows they have a leak until they see visible damage from it. This can manifest as water spots on the walls or ceilings, cracks in the foundation of your home indicating a slab leak, water puddling anywhere it shouldn’t (i.e. if you have a puddle in your backyard and it just rained, that’s probably normal!) or a drippy faucet.
Whether you know you have a plumbing leak or you suspect it, the next step should always be to call in the professionals. Only we will be able to accurately locate the leak, and take the appropriate steps to get it taken care of for you while preventing further problems.
Contact Roadrunner Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing for professional plumbing in Rio Rancho, NM.
