Run of the mill plumbing problems around the house can be a hassle, especially when the underlining issue isn’t easily diagnosed. Leaks are one of the most common issues and are a serious threat to a home’s integrity and a homeowner’s wallet. After all, 10% of American households have leaks that waste up to 90 gallons of water a day. That’s a third of what the average American family uses in one day! Water heaters are also an important part of making sure that water is both the proper temperature and safe to ingest! Calling a plumber may seem expensive, but so is getting a replacement water heater. Needless to say, it’s important to understand what type of issue is affecting your water supply, how to possibly fix it, how to perform proper drain cleaning, and when to enlist the services of a professional plumber or rooter service.
Murky Waters
Grey or cloudy water is a tell-tale sign of a faulty water heater, especially if its coupled with a metallic or grainy taste. This rusty water isn’t an immediate cause for health concern, but it is rather unseemly. A more short term solution would be to install a water filter, but as rust reaches further into the pipes, the only thing left to do is to replace them. Though getting a replacement water heater could also fix the issue, it’s not always necessary.
Stoking the Flames
Everyone needs hot water to take a shower, so when the house water supply is getting lukewarm at hottest, a water heater is no longer doing its job. This is caused by the minerals in water separating whenever water is heated up. These particles eventually begin to collect at the bottom of a water heater, blocking the burner from the water more and more as it develops.
One way to keep this from happening is to schedule an annual water tank flushing. This way, any developing layers will be kept from getting too high. If the water heater is already too far gone, it’s more than likely time to get a new one.
Leaky Vessels
Leaky faucets are the easiest problems to identify, but going from there can be a guessing game. The cheapest solution might be to simply replace a pipe, but care should be taken to make sure that this fixes the issue. If not, it’s one best left to the professionals.
Water heaters leak, too, and this potentially expensive issue is not something to try to fix without professional help. Left untreated, it can quickly lead to severe flooding and eventual structural damage to a home. To prevent the leak from spreading, simply turn off the water supply and call a local rooter service. Even if they can’t fix the current heater, they can install a replacement water heater. The plumbing repairperson may suggest a currently very popular tankless water heater. Though typically much more expensive than standard water heaters, these models are also far more space-efficient and only heat up water whenever a faucet or bathtub are turned on. This prevents the issue of sediment and particle buildup from being as much of a threat. Though they are by no means cheap, a tankless water heater is a good way to prevent having to get a replacement water heater again.
Clog In the Machine
Clogged drains can easily be prevented by regular drain cleaning. This involves flushing them with boiling water or baking soda. If drains still occur, however, there’s not always a need to consult a plumber. First, continue the treatment of hot water and baking soda, as well as attempt to use a plunger to flush out any blockages. If the blockage is further down in a drain, a plumber’s auger or snake may be able to reach around and fish out whatever is clogging the area.
If the problem persists, or if there are any other issues that simply can’t be troubleshooted, contact an emergency plumber and have them take a look at it. In the future, however, looking for the warning signs of faulty faucets and water heaters is a much cheaper alternative to fixing or replacing them.
