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Just because you own a home doesn’t mean you know about all the little things that go into owning a home. As a homeowner, it’s your job to keep an eye out for any problems and get them fixed before they become even bigger problems. Unfortunately, that can be a tough task when it comes to preventing plumbing problems in your home. If you’re not sure when you need to call a plumber, here are some of the most common problems you should keep an eye out for.
Leaks
Perhaps the most common plumbing problem is a simple leak. Leaks can happen for tons of different reasons, and they come in lots of different sizes and severities. Common signs of a leak include water spots on walls and ceilings, a mold or mildew odor in your home or a high water bill with no explanation.
The thing about leaks is that even a small one can cause a lot of damage. As soon as you spot a leak in your home, you should call a professional to check it out and get it stopped. If you have a burst pipe or a very bad leak, you should probably call an emergency plumber to make sure you get your leak fixed before you end up with a flooded home.
Clogs
If leaks aren’t the most common home plumbing problem, that’s because clogs are. Drain clogs can be caused by so many different things that just about every homeowner has a clog from time to time. Whether it’s in your bathroom or kitchen, working to prevent clogs and removing them as soon as possible is critical.
Drain clogs are mostly caused by putting solids down drains. You should avoid putting things greases and oils, cigarette butts and makeup products down any drains. Even if the wipes you use are marketed as “flushable,” they don’t break down very well and are likely to cause a clog.
If you do have a minor drain clog, you can get rid of it by running an enzyme-based drain cleaner through the affected drain. Make sure you don’t use a chemical-based drain cleaner such as Drano, as these drain cleaners can lead to further pipe damage and more calls to plumbers.
Frozen Pipes
For homeowners in Jacksonville, FL, frozen pipes aren’t the biggest concern during the winter. However, Texas has shown that even the areas where freezing temperatures aren’t a concern can be affected by winter weather. If temperatures are going to drop to or below freezing, make sure you have a plumber insulate or heat tape the exterior pipes in your home to protect them against freezing. While this is unlikely in Florida, a frozen pipe that bursts can cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in damage depending on how quickly you get it fixed.
Low Water Pressure
When you turn on a faucet, you expect decent water pressure. At the very least, there should be enough pressure to easily rinse soap off of your hands, dishes and body. Unfortunately, there are a handful of problems that can lead to low water pressure, either in a single fixture or throughout your home. If you notice your water pressure suddenly dropping, you should call a plumber to figure out why.
If low water pressure is confined to a single fixture, that’s a sign that there’s something wrong with that fixture but not your plumbing system as a whole. Oftentimes, fixing this problem is as simple as replacing the aerator on a faucet with a clean one.
Low water pressure throughout your home is a sign that you’ve got a bigger problem that’s going to cost a little more to fix. If this is the case, you may need a plumber to run a camera through your pipes to figure out what’s going on.
No Hot Water
There’s nothing quite like waking up in the morning to a hot shower when it comes to starting your day right. Unfortunately, water heater problems leave homeowners with no hot water all the time. While this isn’t a plumbing emergency in the sense that it’s going to cause damage if you don’t get it fixed, you should always call a plumber if you don’t have any hot water.
Most of the time, a hot water problem can be fixed by replacing the thermostat or heating element in your water heater. These parts are fairly affordable and easy to replace, which means you can get hot water back on pretty quickly. However, it’s important to remember that there are times when your water heater tank may be the problem, in which case it’s best to spend a little more to replace your water heater.
Water Hammer
If you’ve ever turned a faucet or showerhead on and heard a loud banging noise coming from the wall, you’re familiar with water hammer. Water hammer occurs as a result of changes in pressure in your water lines, which can send air rushing through the lines and cause horrendous noises. The good news is, you can fix a water hammer with a water hammer arrestor as long as you know where it’s coming from. While a water hammer isn’t the biggest concern, you should call a plumber to check yours out if it’s bothering you.
Get Some Help
Understanding the plumbing problems you’re likely to deal with is an important step toward becoming a responsible homeowner. The good news is, there aren’t too many things you have to keep your eyes peeled for when it comes to plumbing.
If you think you may have a plumbing problem in your Jacksonville, FL, home, a licensed plumber from Bert Norman’s Plumbing can help. Thanks to years of experience, we can quickly diagnose and solve your problem with a friendly smile. Next time you need a plumbing professional, call Bert Norman’s Plumbing at (904) 225-5888.