Your plumbing system is one of the most important ones in your home. You rely on it all the time, for all kinds of tasks, so you should put some effort into making sure that it stays in good shape. Part of doing that, as with all systems, is being able to detect problems as early as possible. Quicker detection means faster repairs, which saves you money and extends the effective lifespan of your plumbing system. Unfortunately, it can be tough to reliably detect issues with your plumbing system before significant damage is done. Most of the plumbing is hidden, and the problems that commonly effect it are often subtle at first. If you know what to look for, though, you can still catch issues early enough to make a difference.
Who Watches the Water Meter?
This is a more proactive solution than most, but it’s still a good way to check for leaks every once in a while. Turn off all the plumbing appliances in your home, then look at your water meter. If the meter is still running, that means water is still leaving your plumbing system, which means that you have a leak somewhere. Have a professional plumber examine your system if this happens, just to make sure.Loss of Water Pressure
If your water pressure starts to decline, it’s a definite sign that something isn’t right with the plumbing system. What the problem might be, and how severe it is, will depend on the severity of the water pressure loss. If the drop is sudden, especially if it’s localized to one part of the home, you should turn off the water entirely and call for repairs. That’s because that kind of pressure loss indicates something like a pipe rupture, though in a few rare cases it might also mean that there’s an obstruction in the pipes.High Water Bills
Somewhat related to the first point, you should consider having a plumber examine your system if there is an unexplained rise in your monthly water bills. Spikes in water utility bills are often an indication of leaks in the plumbing system. Of course, this could also be due to other factors like fluctuations with the pricing of water service where you live. Still, the one thing that you shouldn’t do is just ignore high water bills.Lime scale
Lime scale is a type of mineral deposit that forms in plumbing systems exposed to high levels of hard water over an extended period of time. This can cause all kinds of issues, most of them related to restricting the flow of water through the pipes. You can detect this before it becomes too much of a problem, though, by looking at your faucets and around your shower or bathtub. If you notice a white, chalky substance in those areas, it means that you probably have lime scale. You should schedule water treatment services, before it gets any worse.Magnolia Plumbing, Heating & Cooling offers plumbing services of all kinds in Arlington, VA. If you need help with your plumbing system, contact us today.
