Did you know the average American spends nearly $5,000 a year on home improvements and repairs? Yes, owning a home is an expensive investment, and those repair costs will rise if you don’t keep up with maintenance.

One of the most costly repairs a homeowner has to make is plumbing repairs. Too often, owners wait until there’s a massive issue before they hire a plumber.

You can save money and your sanity if you resolve plumbing issues by hiring a plumbing contractor early. Do you want to know more? Read on to learn the five signs you need to call a plumber.

1. You Hear Water When It’s Not Running

Do you hear water in your pipes or your toilet when they’re not running? It’s an easy thing to dismiss if you don’t see a visible leak. Dismiss this sign at your peril.

A possible leak can do damage to your home and cost you hundreds on your monthly water bill.

Signs of a Leak

When you hear water running through your pipes and fixtures, keep an eye out for the other tell-tale signs of a leak. If you see any of these, hire a plumber immediately.

• Wet spots on ceilings or walls
• Browned water spots
• Warm water spots that indicate a hot water line leak
• The water meter spins while no water runs

Isolate the Leak

You can take steps to isolate the possible leak before hiring a plumber. Doing so saves you money and time your plumber spends trying to locate the leak.

First, feel any wet spots on your walls and ceiling. If they’re warm, you have a leak in your hot water line. If you hear a noise without seeing any tell-tale leak sign, turn off your water heater.

If the noise stops and your meter stops spinning, you likely have a water heater leak.

2. Gurgling Sounds

Of all the reasons to hire a plumber, this one is often the easiest to ignore. There’s nothing wrong with your plumbing right now, so what’s the big deal?

A gurgling toilet is a sure sign of an oncoming backup. If you’ve never experienced one, you have no idea what happens. A full-on sewer system backup causes wastewater to flow into your house.

These massive backups result in inches of sewer waste in your basement or bathroom. This wastewater leads to thousands of dollars worth of damage and clean-up. Sewer water is full of contaminants that will cause illness.

Signs of an Immanent Backup

Gurgling noises should be of concern the moment you hear them. Wastewater contamination is less likely the sooner you resolve this issue.

There are signs of a backup you should be aware of and prevention steps you need to take.

If you notice your toilet gurgling at random times, your plumbing system is trying to find air. A backup is on the way.

Should your toilet gurgle when you run other fixtures like your shower or dishwasher, stop everything immediately. A backup is about to happen. Shut off all water and call in an expert from Milestone Electric, A/C, & Plumbing as soon as possible.

3. Low Water Pressure

A sudden drop in water pressure signifies several issues that require a professional. The problem could be as simple as a buildup in the sink’s aerator. A pressure drop in all your fixtures is more severe.

This pressure drop most often signifies a debris buildup in your pipes. Municipal water is full of minerals and other solubles.

Municipal water containing potassium salts and calcium salts leave deposits in your pipes. These deposits restrict water flow over time.

Why hire a plumber? First, a plumber can clean or replace compromised pipes. Second, your plumber can install a water softener to eliminate those solubles from your water to prevent further buildup.

4. Slow Draining

Hair and other debris lead to slow drains. How do people solve these issues? They head to the store and buy a chemical drain cleaner.

Chemical drain cleaner works, but it comes with a price. These harsh chemicals interact with clog by generating heat meant to dissolve the clog. Those same chemicals compromise the integrity of your pipes. While you might think you’re saving money, hiring affordable plumbers will actually be a better option, because they won’t cause damage to your pipes when unblocking them.

Chemical Drain Cleaner Drawbacks

A chemical drain cleaner is an easy and inexpensive solution for a slow drain. Drain cleaners will corrode pipes and also come with other hazards.

• The chemicals leach into groundwater and municipal water supplies
• Overuse is caused by a lack of effectiveness
• The harsh acids will damage porcelain if spilled or splattered

Prevent Slow Drains

Routine plumbing maintenance performed by a professional prevents slow drains. Once a year hydro-jetting service where a plumber blasts your pipes with pressurized water keeps your system clean.

You may only hire a plumber during an emergency, so you may not know how to hire a plumber for routine maintenance. It’s easy. Call a local plumbing company for a service quote.

5. Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes are a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Water expands when it freezes. The water in your pipes can freeze and expand. Burst pipes in the dead of winter are expensive to replace and time-consuming.

If you notice any of the following signs, do not wait to call a plumber.

• Lack of running water
• Clanking noises when you engage the tap
• Sewage smells from the faucet
• Visible frost on the pipes

Thawing pipes is not a do-it-yourself project. These home thawing methods lead to expensive cracks or bursts. Call in a professional plumber near me if you notice any signs of frozen pipes. 

To prevent your pipes from freezing during arctic blasts, let your faucets drip and keep your cabinet doors open.

Hire a Plumber to Keep Your Water Running

Plumbing issues are one of those things a homeowner thinks they can ignore. If there’s no visible problem, what’s there to fix?

The truth is that minor plumbing issues lead to more expensive problems later on. Don’t take your plumbing lightly. Hire a plumber to perform routine maintenance and keep your water running smoothly.

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