Leaking taps. Cold showers. Broken pipes. These plumbing problems are more than a headache for you to sort out, they’re expensive spikes in your water bill you could do without. It’s true that many plumbing problems can be fixed with a little DIY, but spotting the warning signs of a major plumbing breakdown can help you save significant time and money. Hiring a professional plumber is a cost-saving trick used by Sydney homeowners who want to stop small problems from spiralling into major (expensive) catastrophes.
If you recognize any of the following 5 warning signs, it’s time to call a professional plumber.
#1 – Your water pressure is non-existent
Are you spending 20 minutes in the shower trying to wash your hair before work?
Low water pressure isn’t just wasting your time, it could also be driving your next water bill up. Low water pressure is typically caused by damaged water lines or a clog in your faucet aerator – both of which require a professional plumber to fix.
If there is a blockage in your aerator you’ll need to disassemble the entire showerhead to remove debris and restore your water flow. Beware, without the right plumbing tools this can cause more damage and leave you requiring a costly fix.
When damaged pipes are to blame there may be cracks in pipes you can’t see. While you stand under a weak shower, water could be spilling out behind the walls of your home causing thousands of dollars in damage before you realise.
#2 – There’s no hot water
There’s nothing as enjoyable as a hot shower after a long day…and nothing worse than feeling icy cold water instead.
Whether you’re cooking, bathing or cleaning, hot water is crucial. Unfortunately, there are many possible reasons you’re having daily cold showers. Most hot water units have a lifespan between 5-15 years but wear and tear can lead to trouble. You typically won’t need to replace your entire hot water system, but by calling a Sydney professional plumber for a hot water service you’ll be able to spot the issue and organise a quick fix.
Hot water system issues may be a result of:
- Pilot light has gone out
- Leaking water tank
- Relief valve is dripping
- Thermocouple sensor is faulty
Whether your hot water system has electrical or gas components, there’s a risk in a DIY fix. A professional Sydney professional plumber can diagnose your hot water problems and have you enjoying a long, hot shower in no time.
#3 – The tap won’t stop dripping
The average leaking tap drips 14,400 times a day.
If the sound of a constantly dripping faucet doesn’t drive you mad, the spike in your water bill will. Over the course of a year your leaky taps waste up to 9,000 litres – that you’re paying for.
Fixing leaking taps is easy…if you know what the problem is. Unfortunately, there are many possible causes of tap leaks, so you can spend hours (and hundreds of dollars) trying to fix a problem that was never there.
Common causes of leaking taps include:
- Corroded, damaged or poorly installed washers
- Damaged or loose o-ring
- Cartridge wear and tear
- Valve seat damage or mineral build-up
- Excessively high water pressure
- Undiagnosed leak in your pipe
Calling a professional plumber to your Western Sydney home will stop the irritating sound, and save you from paying for up to 9,000 litres of water each year that you never used.
Looking to save on your next water bill? Discover our top money saving tips for Sydney homes here.
#4 – Your toilet won’t stop running
Is your toilet running? Don’t go catch it, go call a professional plumber!
A running toilet can be difficult to spot as it won’t create a ton of noise. Unfortunately, this can lead to serious problems happening out of sight. Remember, if your toilet cistern is filling up with water over and over each day, your water bill will go up.
The most common culprit for a running toilet is a leak in your flapper. The flapper is designed to seal your toilet cistern from the bowl. When this seal is broken, water will leak into the bowl 24/7 (explaining the running water noise you hear from the next room).
Calling a Sydney professional plumber to fix a running toilet is the quick and easy way to keep your water bills down, and your toilet serviced.
#5 – You’ve got a backflow emergency
Backflow occurs when water reverses and comes back out of your drains and sinks. This can destroy the furnishings around your kitchen or bathroom with rugs, carpets, hardwood floors and even furniture likely to be damaged.
Worse still, water that’s entered the plumbing system and comes back into your home can bring foul odours and bring significant health risks if contaminated water enters your drinking water. With increased risk of pipe corrosion as well as leaks and breaches, when you spot backflow it’s time to call your local Sydney backflow plumber.
Find a fast and cheap Sydney professional plumber today
When you’ve got water leaking in your home it’s tough to know what steps to take first. Knowing who to call shouldn’t add more stress to your plumbing problems.
At Emergency Plumbing Sydney we offer a range of services designed to save you time, but more importantly – save you money. With 24/7 service Sydney-wide with discount vouchers to support our local customers, there is help when you need it.
The next time you spot one of these 5 warning signs, call Emergency Plumbers Sydney or fill out a form for a FAST, FREE quote today.