As homeowners, we have to be aware that there are always little problems that could go wrong around the house and we have to be aware of how to fix them. However, there are some issues that are best left to the professionals, such as electricity faults, structural damage and, of course, plumbing issues.
It goes without saying that the plumbing system in any home can be complex, but did you know that homes in different states and climates might experience different kinds of plumbing faults far more commonly than others? Pipes and plumbing can often be affected numerous different environmental factors, so it is good to know which faults you have to look out for the most depending on where you live.
Below you will find a few of the plumbing faults most commonly experienced by homeowners in Houston.
Broken Faucets and Valves
This is one of the most reported plumbing issues around the entirety of the United States and possibly around the world as a whole. A broken faucet is a huge inconvenience to those who have the misfortune of having to deal with anyone, whether it is the whole faucet fitting that is broken or simply the valve.
There are many reasons why this could happen. It could be that the faucets have become stiff, either due to weather conditions and temperatures or just through a lack of use, or that they are dripping constantly – and costing you extra on your water bill in the long-term. You should pay special attention to the faucets and valves in your home if you have recently moved into a property, whether this is old or new. If your home is a particularly old build which doesn’t appear to have had the faucets replaced for a while, you may be best to call a plumber and have your home surveyed for any potential plumbing issues that could occur with the faucets in the near future. It’s always better to catch the risks and fix them before anything happens, otherwise you could find yourself in a very inconvenient situation.
Likewise, if you have moved into a new-build property – especially one which is part of a larger housing development – it’s still a good idea to have a plumber come and give the faucets in your home a once over. This is due to the fact that new-build properties in certain areas are more likely to include cheap fixtures and fittings, which may not hold up for as long as more expensive ones.
Leaks And Drips
Leaks and drips can happen for a number of reasons - but whatever the cause, they tend to always do quite a bit of damage, including to wallpaper, carpets, furniture, floorboards and, worryingly, electrical fittings. Unfortunately, they’re also rather common.
One of the many reasons that leaks and drips tend to get to the point where they are able to cause such extensive problems is that they can often go undetected and are sometimes barely noticeable until the damage has already been done. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for whether or not there could be any new leaks in your home at any time.
One of the best and simplest ways to do this is to keep an eye on your water bill – even a small and otherwise inconsequential leak can waste upwards of 1,200 gallons of water a year, so you’ll certainly notice when it starts to drive up the costs! Another way to find out whether or not you’ve got a leak is to take a meter reading, ensure you don’t use any water for a few hours, then check back to see if your meter has changed at all – if it has then, chances are, you’ve got a leak.
Be aware, while there’s instructions all over the internet designed to teach you how to fix a leak, it’s often not a great idea to attempt this yourself. If you accidentally make the leak worse, you could be looking at even more damage and an even bigger bill to fix it – if you know you’ve got a leak, it’s always best to call a plumber. Our number is (832) 712-6995.
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Cast Iron Pipes? Look Out For These Problems
There are a number of different problems that can be most commonly related with houses which use cast iron pipes, just as many houses in Houston do. One of the reasons that we might see more of this now and in the next few years is that cast iron pipes have an estimated lifespan of around 25 to 35 years – a lifespan which many of the cast iron pipes in Houston are reaching the end of.
One of the main issues with cast iron pipes of this age is that they are more likely to begin to crack, and this can lead to a whole range of different issues including household mold, prominent sewage odors and even rodent infestation. If you know you have cast iron pipes under your home and aren’t sure how old they are, or have a home that was built within the last 35 to 15 years, then it’s a good idea to give a local plumber a call and double check whether or not you could have a problem. If that is the case you believe you have a cast drainage at home, then pass a camera which is the best solution to better undertand the conditions of your cast drain.
It’s best to get this fixed as soon as possible, as the problems related to cracked cast iron pipes aren’t just expensive to fix but can go on for years, too.
