We rely on the plumbing in our homes every day. Keeping water flowing and drains moving is key to staying safe, clean and comfortable. But, like a plumber in Brisbane could tell you, most people don’t pay much attention to their pipes until it’s too late for preventative maintenance. If you wait until a small problem turns into a big fix, then not only will you have to pay more for the repair, you could have to wait days for your plumbing to be usable again.
You can avoid the hassle by regularly inspecting the plumbing around your home and keeping your eyes peeled for symptoms that there’s an issue. In this article we’ll cover some common signs that there’s a problem with your plumbing.
Low Water Pressure
Have you ever turned on a tap only to have the water come out at a dribble? It’s not the best way to start your day, and it can be a major warning sign that there’s a problem with your plumbing.
Some water pressure issues are caused by problems with the main water supply. For instance, if a construction team accidentally bursts a mains pipe, all the houses downstream will experience low pressure until the pipe is repaired. The first thing you should do when you notice a water pressure issue is to check with your neighbours. If their pressure is also low then there’s a fair chance the problem isn’t the plumbing in your house.
But, if your neighbours aren’t having the same issue, it’s likely that there is a water leak somewhere in your house.
Water Stains and Damage
Some leaks can cause water pressure issues, but others are slower and more subtle. Always keep an eye out for signs of water stains or damage around the house. On walls and ceilings a water stain will show up as a dark mark that grows over time, and it can even cause the plasterboard to feel damp or soft to the touch. Bubbling paint can also help you spot water damage inside your home. The bubbles are caused by a buildup of moisture in the wall that causes the paint to lift away from the surface.
Slow and Blocked Drains
Blocked drains are some of the most common residential plumbing problems. In most cases, drains become blocked over time, with some of the common causes including:
- Buildups of soap
- Clumps of hair
- Collapsed pipes
- Buildups of dirt and silt
- Buildups of grease and food waste
- Foreign objects getting stuck
Any of these things can cause your drains to become blocked or drain slowly. Left unchecked, a blocked drain can be a major source of water damage, so you should act quickly if you notice that your sink, shower or bathtub is draining slowly.
Discoloured Water
Most Australian cities supply clean drinking water to every tap in the home. That means it’s a dead giveaway that something is wrong if the water comes out yellow, brown or discoloured.
Discoloured water is usually caused by rust or dirt in the water supply and it can be harmful to drink. Locating the source of water discolouration can be difficult on your own and is a task better left to a professional plumber. Plumbers carry pipe inspection cameras that allow them to easily access all the pipes on your property and look for signs of rust, collapse or buildups of dirt that could be causing the problem.
No Hot Water
Have you ever jumped into the shower only to discover there’s no hot water? It’s not the best way to start your morning, and it’s a sure sign that there’s a problem with your hot water system. Solar, gas and electric hot water systems can all fail for a range of reasons, including:
- Faulty thermostats
- Broken heating elements
- Power supply problems
- Leaks and rusty pipes
- Gas leaks or pilot light issues
- Mineral buildups
Hot water systems combine both electricity and water, and it means they should always be maintained by trained plumbers. Luckily, most modern systems can be repaired without much hassle, so contact your plumber in Brisbane if your morning shower is unexpectedly cold!
Unusually High Water Bills
Even if you haven’t seen any of the problems we talked about above, plumbing issues can still put a dent in your water bill. Things like underground leaks can waste thousands of litres of water without you even noticing. So, if your water or power bills come in and they’re unusually high, it’s time to call a plumber and ask them to investigate. Leaks are going to be the major source of high water bills, but tracking them down can be a hassle without the right tools. A professional plumber will be able to find and repair any problems on your property, allowing you to keep your power bills under control and get on with your day as normal.
