Plumbing problems such as leaky pipes, a faulty water heater, tree roots penetrating the sewer line, clogged pipes, rusty pipes, or even a running toilet don’t always produce clear and obvious signs. Without the correct tools and detailed knowledge of the plumbing system, a plumbing issue can go unnoticed for an extended time period, eventually creating a major plumbing problem in the home.
No matter the issue with the plumbing system, these things are rarely completely static. Plumbing issues concerning a sink drain, old sewer lines, water heater, water pressure, or water leakage tend to grow and change over time, producing more noticeable symptoms the longer these problems exist. Subtle changes around the home may be the only indicator you see exposing silent leaks, cracked pipes, frozen pipes, and more. Unfortunately, some of these problems may have caused severe damage to the home by the time they start to become somewhat visible.
If you ever suspect plumbing problems in your Indianapolis area home, it’s best to call a plumber such as Williams Comfort Air for plumbing service right away. Any professional plumber on our team has the proper tools needed to access water lines, the drain line, and other hidden areas of the plumbing system in search of defects. We can look down into the drain piping to search for pipe bellies, tree roots, and other complications responsible for sewer system backup, sewer gas, and sewer odor from multiple drains in the home or slow-draining pipes. Our plumbers search for failing galvanized pipes or copper pipes creating discolored water from your supply line or low water pressure. We look through walls and even under the home’s foundation to identify leaks responsible for high water bills.
Below, our plumbing team explains how we diagnose home plumbing problems using professional methods. The information gained from these diagnostics allows us to determine the appropriate plumbing repairs as well as the right tools needed to perform them, whether it be a pipe snake to clean out food substances causing a clogged drain or trenchless pipe bursting equipment to install a new sewer line leading to the septic system or municipal sewer.
Not every plumbing concern warrants you call a plumber. We also share how you can detect certain plumbing obstacles such as a running toilet. Often, these things can be easily fixed by handy homeowners without paying for professional services – or waiting for the appointment!
When you call a plumber about plumbing issues in your Indianapolis area home, there are several steps a plumber will take upon arrival to determine what is causing the symptoms you experience.
Many Indianapolis area homeowners are perfectly capable of fixing minor plumbing issues like dripping faucets on the bathroom and kitchen sink, or replacing upper tank parts to stop a running toilet. It’s important that you know how to determine when certain plumbing problems are present, so you’ll know when plumbing repairs should be made. It’s also helpful to know how to detect larger plumbing issues in the home so you know when it is necessary to call a plumber.
Here are some helpful diagnostic tips that will tip you off to the presence of plumbing problems in your home.
If your household water bill suddenly increases yet there is no clear explanation for these inflated utility bills, it is highly likely you have a leak in the home. The water leakage is likely hidden in this case, seeing as the high water bill was the first sign to tip you off about a problem.
If you receive a water bill that seems too high for your household’s water consumption, the next thing you should do is turn off all faucets and water-using appliances in the home, then check your water meter. The meter will have some sort of leak indicator that shows you when water moves through the meter, or the number dials that track water consumption will continue to advance. If all sources of water use are cut off in your home and the meter is still moving, that means there is a leak somewhere in the house.
Start checking around the house for indicators of a leak, like a dripping faucet, water around your hot water heater, and wet spots on ceilings, walls, or floors. Toilet leaks between the upper tank and bowl can waste water while remaining hard to detect. Adding some food coloring to the tank and letting it sit for a half hour can show you if water escapes the tank into the bowl, indicating an issue with the flapper, flush valve, or fill valve.
A slow drain from time to time is completely normal in homes around Indianapolis. If you begin to notice your drainage has slowed, it’s time to check all drains. Check for a slow drain in each fixture. The location of a slow drain or multiple slow drains can tell you if a clog is affecting one fixture or many.
Frozen pipes are a common problem over Indiana winters. Exposed pipes are most likely to freeze, as well as those located along exterior walls. If you turn on a faucet and have little or no water coming out, pipes may be frozen somewhere in your home. Turn on each faucet to observe the flow of water, which will help you isolate the location of the frozen pipe so you can quickly get to work thawing it. If you are unable to thaw pipes yourself, contact your plumber for emergency plumbing services that can help prevent a major plumbing problem such as a burst pipe.
If you suspect plumbing problems in your Indianapolis area home, call Williams Comfort Air. Our licensed Indiana plumbers will diagnose any plumbing problem and perform repairs to correct the issue.