Inspecting Your Ottawa Property For Signs of Plumbing Trouble

Plumbing problems can be a nightmare for homeowners. If you discover that your home has had a hidden leak that has grown throughout time, you could be facing potential water damage and mold on top of the necessary plumbing repairs. In extreme situations, undetected plumbing problems can even cause structural damage to your home. Repairs for structural damage can be extremely costly, so it is always a good idea to learn how to detect plumbing problems before they grow. Your pipes and plumbing network may not be a big part of your normal home maintenance routine, but it may be a good idea to start incorporating some of these plumbing inspection steps into your monthly routine to catch small plumbing problems before they turn into large ones. If you have any of the following signs of plumbing problems, call the Ottawa plumbing repair experts at Plumbing Now for help!

Clogged Drains

One of the more obvious and well-known signs of plumbing distress is drains that back up or drain too slowly. Typically, every drain in your home should empty as water pours into it from the faucet. Any pooling of water, however slight, may indicate a clog forming in your drain. Commercially available drain clearing solutions are not always effective or safe for your drains, so if you suspect that a clog is forming in your drain contact the plumbing repair professionals at Plumbing Now as soon as possible.

Faulty Faucets

One way to test for hidden leaks in your home is by observing each of your faucets while they run. If any of your faucets drips or seems to lack water pressure, your home plumbing may have an undetected leak somewhere. Each faucet should be able to produce a steady stream of water on demand, and if any of your faucets are not performing adequately you will need to get a professional assessment of your plumbing. Another problem that can occur with faucets is dripping. If your faucet has developed a drip, that may not be the most serious plumbing emergency, but you will still want to have that repaired by a professional before it adds hundreds of extra gallons of water usage to your monthly bill.

Leaking Pipes

Throughout your home, especially in your kitchen and bathrooms, there are areas where you can observe exposed pipes. Look under all your sinks and behind your toilets at the exposed pipes. If you see or feel any signs of moisture or dampness, you could have a small leak. Additionally, because metal corrodes faster when exposed to water, if the joints on your pipes or the pipes themselves seem to be corroded, it is possible that there could be a small leak. If you think you may have even a call leak, be sure to call a qualified Ottawa plumber as soon as possible for assistance. Leaks can damage your home and cost you extra money on your monthly water bills.

Unexplained Usage on Your Meter

If you can find and read your own water meter, there is a simple way for you to see if your home has any water leaks. All you have to do is read the meter when you know that nobody will be home to use water for several consecutive hours. When you return, read the meter again. If the reading has changed at all, that means that there is a leak somewhere in your home. If water is leaking somewhere in your Ottawa home, be sure to call the qualified experts at Plumbing Now for help diagnosing and repairing the problem.

Preventative Steps

While performing routine inspections can help catch small plumbing problems before they turn into massive ones, there is more as a homeowner that you can do to make sure your home has a healthy plumbing system. If you invest in inexpensive mesh guards for your drains, that can prevent hair and food from slipping into your drains and causing clogs. Likewise, properly dispose of oils and avoid pouring anything greasy or oily down your drains to help reduce the likelihood of build up in your pipes.

Following these easy maintenance tips and inspection routine is the best way to make sure you don’t have a minor plumbing issue turn into a major one. If you do have any signs of clogs, drips, or leaks, or if you just want a more in-depth and professional inspection of your plumbing system, give the expert Ottawa plumbers at Plumbing Now a call today.