8 Signs That Tell Your Home’s Plumbing Needs Repair

Signs that tell your house need plumbing repairs

Plumbing is one of the most ignored aspects of a house until, of course, there is a very noticeable problem, or worse, a plumbing emergency. It doesn’t have to be the case, though. Just because your plumbing system runs behind the walls or under the floors doesn’t mean you can’t figure out the issues it may be developing. Most often than not, plumbing problems take a long time before they turn into a disaster or create a plumbing emergency, and when they do, we only have ourselves to blame. Only if we knew the signs, most plumbing emergencies could be avoided.

To help you do that in the future, here we’re highlighting the eight common warning signs that tell your house’s plumbing needs repair:

1.    Slow Drains

Slow drains are often the first noticeable sign of a malfunctioning plumbing system.

If you have got just one slow drain, it might be a stand-alone case of a drain clog and not too big of a problem. However, when multiple drains around your house become slow, it’s your cue to call a professional plumber because there is most likely a deeper and more serious plumbing problem.

It may not seem like a major issue initially, but trust us when we say they can create a huge mess in your home. From sewage backup to water damage, slow drains can lead to a range of bigger plumbing issues and huge bills.

2.    Discolored Water

Under normal circumstances, you should only get clean water out of your faucets. But if your water is discolored, you may not just have the water supply to blame. It may be the result of your negligence and a sign of a serious plumbing problem. It’s better to get checked!

Yellow, green, and brown colored water indicate rust and corrosion in pipes. If not dealt with promptly, you could be dealing with water leaks or burst pipes sooner than later.

3.    Low Water Pressure

The low water pressure might stem from the water source (supply), but it’s not often the case. From what we have noticed, working as professional plumbers for over 35 years, it is usually an indicator of underlying plumbing issues.

Low water pressure signifies multiple plumbing problems, ranging from faulty fixtures, defective or broken pressure regulators, clogged pipes, and closed valves to corroded plumbing. That’s quite a lot to consider. Your best bet is to call an experienced professional to figure out the problem and where exactly it lies in your plumbing system and have it fixed before it leads to some bigger issue.

4.    Bubbling Paint or Stains on Walls and Ceilings

Water leaks do not always cause visible drips. They are often hidden beneath the walls and appear as bubbling or peeling paint and/or discolored, wet stains. Although these indicate that the water leak has gotten worse to the point that it has started affecting your walls or ceilings, it’s almost impossible for homeowners to notice such hidden water leaks at an early stage (a key reason why plumbing professionals emphasize regular inspections, repair, and maintenance).

You have to act fast when you notice this sign and fix the leak before it destroys your wall or ceiling.

5.    Unusually High Water Bill

A water bill that’s unusually high for no apparent reason is your warning sign that there might be a plumbing leak somewhere around the house. While the best way to deal with it is to call a professional plumber for inspection, if you want to be sure that it’s a problem in your plumbing system, turn off all the water sources and check your water meter. It shouldn’t be running. If it is, it’s a clear sign that you have water leaking somewhere around the house.

6.    Noisy Pipes

Plumbing systems are designed to be silent. If yours isn’t, you have got a problem. Crackling, gurgling, squealing, or banging sounds in pipes can indicate trapped air, high water pressure, clogged drains, loosened or detached fasteners flooded air pipes, or wear and tear of plumbing hardware. Only a professional plumber can figure out the exact cause and fix it, so don’t delay calling one.

7.    Smelly Drains

Aren’t drains supposed to be smelly, you may ask?

The answer is, not always!

Bacteria in drains can make them smell bad, but if there’s a persistent unpleasant odor in your kitchen or bathroom, it could be a sign of pipe blockage or, worse, a broken sewer pipe.

8.    Wobbling Toilet

This doesn’t always indicate a plumbing issue, but it can be a sign of it, so it’s only wise to know. Sometimes, a wobbly toilet only requires a little tightening, but if the bolts seem tight enough, you may have a plumbing problem.

A wobbling bowl may result from a broken wax seal around the toilet drain. When that happens, water begins to seep into the floor. This won’t pose any immediate problem but will cause significant damage over time.

The Final Word

House maintenance seems like an endless task. There’s a lot to do, and certain tasks often take the back seat. The house’s plumbing system is one of them. It may seem to work on auto, but that’s not the case. It requires your attention and assistance, too. Inspect your plumbing system regularly and look out for these signs to catch any plumbing issues before they turn big or create a huge mess, and call a reliable plumber at your earliest when you notice any of these.