Finding an issue with your pipes or drains is something no homeowner wants, but unfortunately, it’s probably going to happen. When it does, the best thing that you can do as a homeowner is to recognize the signs of a problem so that you can prevent a real disaster.
To do that, you’ve got to be able to do two things: learn what details you’re looking for and whether your plumbing issue can wait for attention or whether you need to call for a plumber‘s help immediately. These signs fit the latter category!
Your Water Pressure Is Low
There’s nothing worse than getting into the shower of your St. Paul, MN home, only to find that the water is coming out as a trickle rather than a forceful blast. Nine times out of 10, this means there’s a serious issue with your plumbing, such as the aerator for your shower being blocked.
Unfortunately, that’s not the kind of problem that you can address simply by doing the job yourself. If you try to diagnose a problem with water pressure on your own, you’re likely to do far more harm than good to your pipes. It’s much better to call for a professional plumber to take care of the issue rather than possibly causing a serious problem with DIY.
No Water Comes Out of Your Pipes
Most of the time, this problem occurs during a Minnesota winter, which most Twin Cities residents know is far from pleasant. However, a lack of water doesn’t always mean that your pipes have frozen. In some cases, it could be a blockage caused by something going down the drain that shouldn’t have, such as coffee grounds, diapers or flushable wipes (which actually are not the least bit flushable.)
In any case, you need to have a plumber come take a look immediately. For starters, it could be a burst pipe, and if that’s happened, every second you waste means a potential for more water damage throughout your home. Even if it’s not a burst pipe, you likely don’t have the knowledge of where a blockage could be. That comes with years of experience and training, something you’ll only get with a professional plumber. It’s far better for you to contact an expert at the first sign of trouble.
No Hot Water
It’s a home owner’s nightmare: no hot water in the pipes when you really need to wash your clothes, take a hot shower or do some dishes. If this occurs, odds are high that there’s some kind of issue with the water heater.
Like most appliances, the water heater needs proper maintenance to remain in top shape, and it can fail over time. If it does, don’t risk injury to yourself or others by trying to solve this problem on your own. Remember, if you’ve got a traditional water heater, your water heater gets heated 24 hours a day, which poses a serious risk of burns if you haven’t shut it off before starting any work.
Even if you’ve got a tankless water heater and your water is only heated when you need hot water, this job is still best left to a professional plumber. Unless you’ve done work on the water heater in your St. Paul, MN home, you likely don’t have much knowledge about how to fix it — and this is no time to start experimenting.
The Toilet Runs Constantly
Few things are more worrisome than a toilet that will not stop sending water into the bowl. Sometimes, the solution is as simple as plunging it, but when something’s gone down the drain that shouldn’t have, it’s time to call for an expert.
The reality is that the only things that should ever go down the toilet are human waste and toilet paper, but many homeowners don’t know that and will put other items down the drain as well. Unfortunately, a lot of those items can either expand in your pipes or wrap around other objects, neither of which creates a desirable outcome.
In a situation like this, give your toilet a quick plunge to see if you can stop the problem. If that doesn’t do the job right away, don’t wait any longer. That’s a situation where you need a plumber — immediately!
A Wet or Damp Basement
Obviously, if you come home to the ultimate nightmare of a flooded basement, you don’t need to be told that it’s time to call a plumber. But even if your basement is only a little wet or merely damp, it’s still a good idea to call for an expert’s help.
Basements have a reputation of being dark, dank places, but the reality is that they’re not supposed to be bringing in moisture. If you feel damp places in your basement — especially if your laundry machines aren’t located there — it’s a sign that you’ve got a leak of some kind in your pipes.
Unfortunately, even a small leak in your St. Paul, MN home can lead to multiple gallons of wasted water in as little as a month. That can lead to higher water bills and serious damage to your walls, floors and foundation — all of which you can avoid by simply calling a plumber and letting them take care of the situation.
Not every situation is going to require a professional plumber‘s attention, but when you have a serious sign of a problem, it’s important that you know who to call and contact them right away before the damage gets worse. At Paul Bunyan Plumbing & Drains, we know exactly how to handle plumbing problems in St. Paul, MN and throughout the Twin Cities, and we’re happy to provide assistance whenever something goes wrong with your drains or pipes. Don’t waste time when you’ve got a serious plumbing issue; contact us and get the job done right the first time!
