Do you know how to watch for the biggest signs that you have a plumbing problem on your hands? Some signs are obvious of course—like water gushing from a burst pipe across your kitchen floor, a toilet that won’t flush, or a clogged up kitchen drain that a plunger has no hope of relieving.
Not every problem with your water lines in Glenview, IL is obvious though! Some are sneaky, particularly if they start small. Let’s say you hear a faint knocking, for instance. You may brush it off as a sound coming from outside, or even your house “settling.” But that knocking could actually be from your pipes, and is a sign of water hammer!
This means there’s too much pressure inside your plumbing system, or valves have become loose. This can eventually lead to leaks, and should be remedied by a professional plumber right away. Water hammer isn’t the only common plumbing problem we get called for, either. Keep reading for 4 more signs you need a professional plumber.
1. Slow Drains
A single slow drain may be a bit of a problem, but usually you can manage it with a sink plunger and call it a day. Or perhaps you can call in a pro to handle it with a drain snake (please, don’t use store-bought chemical drain cleaners as these are actually bad for your pipes!)
If all the drains throughout your home are slow, then this is a sign that there is a blockage of some kind in your sewer line. This will become a serious problem if you don’t have the blockage properly located and removed.
2. The Sound of Running Water When No Plumbing Appliances Are On
If you hear water moving through the plumbing system of your home, but you’re sure that nobody has a tap open or is running an appliance such as the dishwasher, then you could be hearing the warning sign of a leak.
One way to double-check this is to look at the water meter and write down the reading. Then, don’t use any water in the home for an hour, and recheck the meter. If the reading goes up, it means you’re losing water somewhere.
3. A Decline in Water Pressure
A drop in water pressure in your home could mean that something is going on with the municipal water supply—perhaps work is being done on the city’s or your neighborhood’s water lines. But the more likely answer to this is that you have a problem with your main water line or a major leak somewhere else in your plumbing system.
4. A Steep Increase in Water Bills
Check your water bills each month, and look at the average number of gallons your household used. If the cost of your water bills begins to increase, without a reasonable explanation, then you could have a hidden leak somewhere.
For expert plumbing service, installations, or maintenance contact Reliance Plumbing Sewer & Drainage, Inc. Our knowledgeable plumbers serve the North Shore and Northwest Chicago suburbs. Rely on Reliance!