If you enjoy handling small repair jobs around your house, there’s a good chance you are familiar with the pipes under your sink and the drain in your tub and shower. That’s great. However, if you are like most people, you probably haven’t given much thought to the pipes that connect your home to the public sewer or water system.
These pipes work overtime compared to the pipes that are visible in your home. Knowing the signs that mainline repair is needed can help you know when to call a plumber and avoid more serious and bigger issues.
Increased Water Bill
You may experience slightly higher water bills in the summer months because of watering your lawn or filling up a swimming pool. However, if your water bill is higher year-round or continues to go up, there could be a leak in the main water line.
Strange Sounds from Several Pipes in Your Home
Have your pipes started talking to you? If you hear gurgling from the sink after flushing the toilet (or the other way around), it’s a sign of a more serious and systematic plumbing problem.
Cracks or Sinkholes in Your Foundation
If your main water line is leaking, it can cause serious damage to your home’s structure. It can also cause erosion in your landscape.
Low Water Pressure at All Faucets
If you notice that all faucets in your home are dealing with low water pressure, it means there could be a clog in the waterline. Several issues can cause clogs, from household waste to infiltration by tree roots. Both tree roots and clogs can put excessive pressure on your pipes, resulting in cracks.
Failure to address these cracks may result in a complete break in the line. Even if the break in the main water line breaks outside your home, you are responsible for covering the cost of the repairs.
Cloudy Water
Several different problems can result in cloudy water. Sometimes, the issue may be due to the water heater tank. Damaged or disintegrated pipes can also cause it.
Don’t Wait to Call for Service
If you notice any of the issues mentioned above, you should not wait to call a plumber for help. The longer you wait, the more serious the issue may become.
By calling for an inspection from a plumber right when a problem is noticed, you can avoid excessive costs and restore the proper function of your home’s plumbing system.
Finding the Right Plumber for the Job
Remember, not all plumbers are created the same. Because of this, it is up to you to put time and effort into finding the right plumber in your local area. You can ask for recommendations or look at online reviews to find someone to help you with your plumbing issue. Being informed and knowing the signs of a main water line issue, will help you avoid more serious problems and keep your home’s plumbing system in good working condition.