If you’re like most homeowners, you’re confident about your own ability to fix most common plumbing issues. Your repertoire includes plungers, drain cleaners, and hair traps—and maybe even a household plumbing snake!
But when things go south, your pipes have the potential to do major damage to your home. It’s important to know when home repairs might move from DIY to total disaster. Here are five signs you should call a plumber right away for expert help.
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Frozen Pipe
If you’ve followed basic precautions for winterizing your pipes, you may be lucky enough never to have to deal with this issue. However, frozen pipes can be a major threat to your home, as expanding water produces pressure that can make your pipe burst. If you notice visible frost on your pipes, or if water has stopped running to some or all of the taps in your home, it’s one of the biggest signs you need to call a plumber.
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Visible Water
Not all visible water deserves an immediate emergency phone call, but there are certain times when visible water is a major issue. If water pools around the base of your toilet with no clear cause, or if it seeps up from your floor or down from your ceiling, call for help. If you aren’t sure you need a quick fix, you should at the very least call a plumber for advice.
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Dirty Water
While some homes get used to mild cloudiness to their water, murky water can be a bad sign. Brown water can be a sign of heater issues or iron in your water, while green water can indicate corroding pipes. In these cases, you’ll need to have the pipes replaced as soon as possible to avoid disaster.
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Sounds of Water at Odd Times
If you’re hearing water rush through your pipes at times when no one is using water, it may be a leak. Make sure to turn off any appliances that run with water, like the dishwasher or washing machine, to see if you still hear the noise.
If the sound of water running is still clear, it may be a leak—and a big one. Your local plumber can come help you identify and fix the issue before it gets out of control.
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No Water at All
When you find that you can’t get water from your taps, it’s not always a cause for alarm. Keeping up with your local news may indicate an outage or repair, so make sure you’re not the only one with this issue.
If you are the only one experiencing this problem, that’s when to call a plumber. Your pipes may have a major clog, or there may be an issue with the sewer line to your home. Whatever the case, an expert can get your water back up and running on your behalf.
Call a Plumber for These Emergencies
When you’re experiencing any of the issues above, don’t hesitate to call a plumber. These experts can help you get your pipes back into shape while avoiding further issues that could drive up your monthly utility bills—as well as the headache associated with trying to fix major issues on your own!
Want more of the helpful tips you need for your home and business? Check out our other posts for more insights.
