August in Florida means heat, humidity, heavy rain, and plenty of extra demand on your home’s plumbing system. While plumbing problems can happen anytime, this is a great month to give your system a little attention-especially before a small issue turns into an expensive emergency.
Here are seven warning signs homeowners should not ignore.
- Your water pressure has changed – If your once powerful shower has suddenly become more of a gentle drizzle, something may be going on. Low water pressure can have several causes, including buildup, a plumbing restriction, a failing pressure regulator, or aging pipes. If the change is sudden or affecting multiple fixtures, it’s worth having a professional take a look.
- Your water looks or smells different – Discolored water shouldn’t simply be dismissed as “old plumbing being old plumbing.” Brown, yellow, or rusty-looking water can be associated with corrosion or sediment in your plumbing system. Unusual odors can also indicate a plumbing issue that deserves attention.
- Your water heater is making strange noises – Does your water heater sound like someone dropped a handful of rocks into a popcorn machine? Popping, rumbling, or banging noise can be caused by sediment buildup inside the tank. Regular maintenance can help keep your water heater operating efficiently and may help extend its service life.
- Your drains are getting slower – A drain that takes longer and longer to empty is usually giving you a warning before a complete blockage occurs. Don’t wait until the kitchen sink becomes a bathtub or the shower turns into a swimming pool. Addressing slow drainage early can help prevent a much bigger problem.
- You keep finding small leaks – One leak may be a simple repair. But if you’re repeatedly calling a plumber for leaks throughout the house, it may be time to look beyond the individual repair. Older plumbing systems can develop multiple failures as pipes age. In some homes, repeated repairs can be a sign that a larger plumbing upgrade should be considered.
- Your toilet keeps acting up – Constantly running toilets, recurring clogs, weak flush, or a toilet that rocks when you sit down shouldn’t become a part of your daily routine. Some toilet problems are simple fixes. Others can point to issues with the drain or water supply system. Either way, your toilet shouldn’t have more personality than your family dog.
- You don’t know where your main water shut-off is – This one is easy to overlook – until a pipe breaks. Knowing where your main shut-off valve is and making sure it can actually be operated can make a huge difference during a plumbing emergency. If water suddenly starts coming through the ceiling, you don’t want to spend ten minutes searching for the valve while your house becomes an indoor water park.
Don’t wait for the Plumbing Emergency
Your plumbing system usually gives you warning signs before a major failure. Slow drains, changing water pressure, repeated leaks, strange water heater noises, and discolored water are all reasons to pay attention.
A little preventative maintenance now can be much easier than dealing with a major plumbing emergency later.
Need a professional plumber?
Carl Kandiko Plumbing Services Inc is here to help with plumbing repairs, water heaters, repipes and more.
Don’t wait for a small plumbing problem to become a very big one. Give your plumbing the attention it deserves this August. 🔧💧