Welcome to my blog. My name is Deborah. About 15 years ago, I bought an old home. We worked with several contractors to rehabilitate it, but ultimately, the foundation simply wasn't stable enough, and we had to tear it down. After that, we worked with a construction crew to build a home from the ground up. The experience was exciting and challenging, and I learned a lot through that process. I want to share construction and contracting facts and information with others so I decided to start this blog. I hope that you like the results, and I thank you for reading. Enjoy!
99% of the time, nobody ever thinks twice about their plumbing system. For the most part, it rumbles on the background out of sight, and only when the water supply begins to sputter, leak, or stop completely does anyone ever think to contact a plumber. However, by peering into certain corners of your home from time to time, you may be able to detect symptoms of plumbing problems that masquerade as innocent, benign household issues.
To stay one step ahead of major plumbing disasters, take a look at the four "S"'s below. Memorising these can help you to remain vigilante at all times when it comes to water issues in your home, and may just end up saving you hundreds of dollars in household repairs in the long run.
Showerhead
Not many people often think to remove their showerhead and take a look inside, but when it comes to plumbing problems, it turns out that doing this can be rather revealing. By pulling off your showerhead and examining it from time to time, you can take note of any potential mineral deposit build-ups. If you're not quite sure what to look for – don't worry, you'll definitely know mineral deposit damage when you see it. An accumulation of this stuff leads to discoloration both inside and outside the showerhead, and failure to act can lead to issues like extremely low water pressure, leaks, and damage to the shower enclosure itself. The quicker you act, the more likely you'll be able to save yourself some serious shower repairs. Take a look inside that showerhead once in a while.
Sink Drainage
After washing your hands, brushing your teeth or doing the dishes, chances are you probably don't linger over the sink to watch the water circle the drain. However, taking note of the speed in which the water from your taps slurp out of sight can actually keep you one step ahead of potential plumbing issues. If water appears to be taking an age to disappear, this could be a sign of either a clogged drain, or perhaps a blocked vent pipe – both of which need to be addressed as soon as possible. Any loud sounds, bubbles, or foaming that appears during drainage also point towards a blocked piper somewhere down the line, and it's vital to act as soon as possible before piling even more water on top and making the issue worse.
Shaky Fixtures
When it comes to water appliances, it's vital that everything is tied down with just the right amount of pressure. If any of these appliances display a tendency to wobble, then you could be just days away from suffering a plumbing disaster. Loose water fixtures might have eased up on their own, or perhaps the surface underneath them is damp and squidgy. Either way, it's a plumbing issue that needs to be taken care of promptly.
Very gently rock your toilet or sink and if there's even the slightest tremble, contact a plumbing service who will tighten the fixture down for you professionally. A plumber will also be able to identify the reason why the appliance might have come loose in the first place. In the event that this is due to unstable/damp/damaged flooring, they'll be able to fix it up quickly before the bathroom floor decides to cave in.
Smell
Plumbing isn't all about the sight of sputtering, gurgling, leaking water. No, one of the biggest indications of potential water problem is an unpleasant smell lingering in the house. A good way to determine the source of the smell is by cleaning each individual room thoroughly from top to bottom, spraying every corner and wiping every tiny stain to rule out any other causes of the bad odor. Make sure to dry everything off with a towel, and return to each room an hour or so after cleaning. If it doesn't smell fresh – you've almost definitely got a leaky pipe hiding behind the scenes somewhere. Water that drips from a damaged pipe never has an opportunity to dry, and this is why your house may develop a musty smell over time. If your nostrils frequently get a whiff of a stuffy smell that appears to be getting worse, contact a plumber (such as A Aaactfast Emergency Plumbing Services) immediately, and they will be able to determine the source of the leak within minutes.
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