Ignoring Warning Signs Might Be A Mistake – especially as winter approaches in Detroit.
Drip. Drip. Drip. In the middle of the night, that dripping faucet may keep you awake. During the day, it’s just annoying. If you’re like most people, you crank the faucet a little further and hope that fixes the problem. If you’re really frustrated, you might get up and simply close the bathroom door so you can’t hear it! We’re all so busy that a leaky pipe just doesn’t seem worthy of our time. It’s an insignificant issue, right?
More Problematic Issues. What you should know is that small problems are usually a warning of bigger things to come. Almost every day we get calls that prove this to be true. In most cases, any delay in fixing a problem will only add to future repair costs. And if you delay too long, those costs might mean complete renovations to rooms or even cause damage to the structure of a building. Before winter starts to creep into the Detroit area, now is a good time to plan ahead. Here are some common issues that you might want to address.
A Leaky Faucet. It’s amazing how fast that leak can accumulate. Over time, a little leak can end up wasting thousands of gallons of water and add dollars to your water bill. Additionally, the continuous pressure on the system can weaken your fixture and piping. Sometimes, the repair for a leaky faucet can be as simple as cleaning a clogged aerator. At other times, the leak could be a sign of a cracked or leaking pipe. If that’s the case, the piping can eventually burst and flood your home or office. And of course that’s going to happen at the most inconvenient time. A leak can also signal a clogged pipeline – anywhere from under the sink to the main water line.
A Water Bill That’s Higher Than Normal. If your water bill seems high, rather than just paying it and forgetting about it, do a little research. Call your water company, or check the numbers on your meter, to see if your usage went up. You can also check with the water company to see if your rate increased. If your usage went up and there doesn’t seem to be an explanation for the increase, you could have a leak somewhere in your system. The excessive water use could be caused by anything from a constantly running toilet to a break in your water line. Unfortunately, this unknown leak can cause you to lose hundreds of gallons of water each day. A plumber can use line leak detection equipment to locate the problem before it becomes a disaster.
A Drain That’s Very Slow. A slow drain or frequently clogged toilet is a nuisance. You may be able to fix the problem at hand with some drain cleaner or a plunger – especially if the problem is limited to a single drain. If, however, you notice slow drainage throughout your home or office, you should contact a plumber to evaluate the situation. There could be an object, debris, or even a tree root causing the problem. If a blockage in the main sewer line goes untreated, serious damage or a sewer backup can occur. Water damage resulting from a sewer leak is especially damaging as it can result in bacteria.
Faucets That Screech Or Sputter. When you turn a faucet on and it seems to sputter and make noise, there may be air in your water line. Because your water line is closed and should not let air into the system, a noisy faucet can signal a more serious problem. The cause may be a malfunctioning air-bleed system or a crack in a pipe. Either way, the problem can lead to a break in your water line if not repaired. To be safe, we recommend you call a plumber to investigate and if necessary, make repairs.
Your Home Or Office Smells Bad. If you detect a foul odor indoors, it could be coming from your sewer line. There is an intricate, behind-the-scenes system of plumbing that keeps sewer gases from traveling into your interior space. A foul odor could signal failure somewhere in this system. It’s critical that you address this problem quickly. A plumber may need to ventilate and unclog your sewer line and check for leaks at the same time.
Lesson Learned? Don’t Delay. Generally speaking, the longer you delay, the greater the chance that a small problem will become a plumbing disaster. As with most water disasters, you’ll be looking at potential repairs to drywall, flooring, and framing in addition to remedial efforts that extend to carpeting, painting, and more. And if the problem exists over a long period of time, mold may result. Mold remediation can be costly and also a threat to your health.
Contact an experienced plumbing professional if you are experiencing any of the above problems. Fix a minor problem in order to avoid a plumbing disaster. Call the professionals at Restoration 1 of Western Wayne County if water damage is extensive.
