When Should You Call a Plumber?

Is it something that you can fix easily enough on your own? And when should you call a plumber?

With that in mind, let’s look at the signs that something serious is happening with your plumbing and learn when you should call a professional for help.

10 Reasons to immediately call a plumber:

1. You have no water supply

This may seem like the most obvious and biggest concern, and it certainly is. If you have no water, you first need to ascertain that it is not due to a water main break or municipal problem – or if you are on a well, your pump may have died. So, if you use municipal water, check with your neighbors to see if they are experiencing the same problem, and, if so, check with your utility providers and local governmental sites to see if something has happened to interrupt water supply. If you depend on a well system for water, however, you may have a dead well pump. And most plumbers in north Georgia are equipped and understand how to determine if your pump is dead – or if it is a plumbing issue with the pipes that supply the pump. If you do not have a pump, there are some possibilities you must contend with. Firstly, go back and make sure you have paid all your bills (one water bill may have skipped your attention and led to your water being shut off). If that is not the problem then you could be dealing with a broken pipe, a significant backup or a water main concern – all things that a plumber can address and correct.

2. You have low water pressure

If you’re experiencing low water pressure throughout your home, it is definitely a sign of severe problems somewhere in your system – perhaps even cracked or broken pipes underground or in the walls of your home. If, however, you are only experiencing low water pressure on one faucet, it could simply be that you have a clogged aerator – which is a little device with a metal screen disk that sits on the mouth of the faucet. The aerator creates a more consistent, splash-free steam of water. Unscrew the aerator, clean it, and you may just go back to a full stream of water. If that does not work, however, it may be time to call a plumber to look deeper into the problem.

3. You have no hot water

If you have absolutely zero hot water, it could be that your hot water heater is busted or something as simple as an extinguished pilot light. Either way, a professional plumber can help you determine the extent of the issue and what you’ll need to do to correct it. This is not the same as not having a continuous flow of hot water, which, while annoying is not something that requires immediate action. Not having enough hot water could stem from not having a big enough water heater to meet your needs, and if it is something that you experience repeatedly, then it might be a good idea to call a plumber and have them go over your water heating system and determine the reason for the problem.

4. You have a “sweating” water heater

If you notice that your water heater has condensation on it – or appears to be “sweating” – it could be the sign of a leak. You may also notice a little pooling or dampness around the base of the water heater. If that is the case, then you should call a plumber straight away, as he may be able to repair some of the issues rather than looking at a full-blown replacement of your water heater. In some cases, a plumber may still have to replace the entire water heater, but it could still end up costing you less than if the water heater develops a major leak and dumps water all over your basement or crawl space. Other signs of a compromised water heater include rusty spots on your water heater or pipes around the heater.

5. You smell sewage anywhere in your home

You know that revolting smell, and if you catch a consistent whiff of it anywhere in your home, it is a good idea to call a professional ASAP. Because the longer you ignore it, the worse it may become – both in smell and the damage that’s happening to your plumbing. The smell of sewage could come from several sources, including clogged lines or poor ventilation. If ignored, the smell could get downright unbearable. If you do catch a whiff of sewage, it is a good idea to go walk your property and see if you smell anything like it outside as well. Your plumber will need to know this information, and any quick tips you can give the professional will make discovering the source of the problem (and repair) that much quicker.

6. Your toilet continuously overflows

Everyone has had a toilet overflow on them at some point. However, if one or more of your toilets overflow consistently, it might be a good idea to go ahead and call a professional. There are times you can fix the issue with a little work from a plunger, but if that does not solve the problem, then it is definitely time to call a plumber. In the meantime, turn off the water to that toilet and use another toilet (if accessible). The water shutoff valve will most likely be located on the back side of the bowl on the left side. The reason for overflows of this nature could come from several sources, including clogs in the sewage line. And, if you have a septic tank, it could be a sign that your septic tank is full and requires draining Septic tanks should be cleaned/drained at least every 18 months. NOTE: An overflowing toilet is not to be confused with a constantly running toilet. That is usually an issue with the flapper located inside the upper reservoir tank, which can be replaced via a kit available at a hardware store and a little work

7. You see water gurgling up

This can happen in a drain or even a toilet. Note, this is not the same as the toilet overflowing when you flush it. This refers to seeing water gurgling in the bowl when you turn the shower on, for instance. Or, when you turn the faucet on, water immediately begins to gurgle up from the sink basin/drain. This happens because your pipes need a balance of air pressure to deliver water where it needs to go, and the gurgling is a sign that that balance is off. And if it is looking for air, there is a risk that off-balance pressure could start throwing water out of various other places in your home. Therefore, if you witness this happening, contact a plumber as soon as possible.

8. You have consistently backed up drains

There are some clogs that you can handle DIY thanks to some products available at a local hardware store – such as a drain cleanser, a plunger, or a “snake.” However, if your drains clog consistently, it is likely a sign of a bigger problem with your drain or pipes. Plumbers can usually get to the root of the problem quickly – whether it is something obvious, like a washcloth that a child stuffed down a bathtub drain or roots growing through the pipes in your yard. In fact, they even have cameras that they can send down the drain to pinpoint the problem.

9. You have a continuously dripping faucet

A dripping faucet does not necessarily mean that you will experience residual problems with your drains, but it absolutely does mean that you’re wasting money and a precious resource. Even a slowly dripping faucet can lead to hundreds of gallons of wasted water over the course of a year. Sometimes you can fix the problem with a wrench, plumber’s tape or putty and some knowhow. However, if you do not know what you’re doing, you could cause yourself even bigger troubles than what you think you’re solving. And the leak may even be coming from a cracked pipe or a poor installation. And that kind of fix requires some professional knowledge.

10. You’re installing new appliances

If you are remodeling your kitchen or bathroom or building a new home, you’re going to want to make sure that your contractor – or yourself if you are THAT handy – employs a professional plumber to ensure that your new appliances fit in perfectly with your plumbing makeup. It may sound like a no-brainer, but plenty of people attempt to cut corners or even install appliances on their own in a cost-cutting exercise. Don’t do it (unless you know plenty about plumbing), as it could cost you more headaches (and, ultimately, money) than it is worth, as you may end up having to call professional to fix a new problem you’ve created.

With all that in mind, know that Conditioned Air Systems is here to help with whatever your plumbing needs entail. Led by plumbing master John Payne – founder of Payne Plumbing – Conditioned Air is putting the same commitment and mastery it has in HVAC to the plumbing business. And, under Payne’s guidance, we now offer the same full range of expertise, customer service, and flexibility that you have come to expect from Conditioned Air’s HVAC services.

Payne, a north Georgia native, grew up in the plumbing industry and obtained his unrestricted master plumbing license over 25 years ago. He founded Payne Plumbing shortly thereafter. Thanks to John’s guidance, we will happily tackle any job, no matter the size or situation. And you can expect our plumbers to:

Arrive on time

Install it or repair it right, the first time

Give you a fixed price with no hidden surprises

Be friendly and professional

Just like our HVAC services, we offer 24/7 and emergency plumbing services to attend to your every need.

If you find yourself in a plumbing fix like any of the problems listed above or beyond, please contact us right away at 770-536-7509 and let us get your water running the right way again.

Schedule a visit with us today.