When is it Time to Call a Plumber?

Woman inspecting her kitchen faucet. D&F Plumbing, Heating and Cooling in Portland OR & Vancouver WA talks about when it's time to call a plumber.

Woman inspecting her kitchen faucet. D&F Plumbing, Heating and Cooling in Portland OR & Vancouver WA talks about when it's time to call a plumber.How do you know when to call a plumber? There are many different reasons you may have to make the necessary call. Some may be obvious and pop up in a day, while others may take years to form and cause an unexpected plumbing emergency.

Don’t pull your hair out over a small problem developing into something bigger. We’ll tell you exactly when it’s time to call a plumber.

Is Your Faucet Dripping?

Do you hear that? Drip drop, drip drop…It’s that pesky faucet keeping you up at all hours of the night. 

A leaking faucet may not seem like too big of a deal most of the time. But the average family will waste about 9,400 gallons of water in a year just from leaks! 

Don’t let your money slowly drip down the drain — take action and have a professional troubleshoot that dripping faucet,

Do You See Signs of Water Damage?

Are your beautifully decorated walls looking a little funky? This may actually be because of your plumbing. Your pipes are hidden behind your walls, and if those pipes spring a leak, moisture can quickly cause damage. 

Signs of water damage could include:

  • Bubbling paint or wallpaper
  • Discoloration
  • Strange smells
  • Visible mold
  • High utility bills

Don’t just go painting over your problems!

Does Your Grass Have a Green Patch?

Having greener grass is always great — unless it isn’t. If you notice a patch of grass greener than the rest of your yard, this could be a sewer problem. 

City sewer lines run between your house and the street. A section of grass that is more vibrant and lush could mean a sewer pipe rupture. A lot of times in Portland and Vancouver, the cause of sewer line problems comes from tree root invasions. 

Is Your Toilet Wobbling?

Is your toilet wobbling like it had a rough night at the bar? If you want your toilet to sober up, it might take the expertise of a good plumber. A wobbly toilet can sometimes be fixed by replacing loose screws. This is a task many homeowners feel comfortable handling themselves.

But oftentimes the seal around the bottom of your toilet gets worn out, causing your toilet to move side-to-side. This broken seal can cause leaking and water damage to ruin your floor. Avoiding this problem will cost more than it would to call in a professional plumber.

Do You Have Low Water Pressure?

Having weak water flow could be simply solved by cleaning out a fixture. You might be able to improve your water pressure by soaking the end of your faucet in hot water and vinegar. 

If that doesn’t solve your water pressure problem, you might be facing:

  • Sediment buildup in your water heater
  • Calcium buildup in your shower head
  • Size of your water heater piping

In these situations, calling a plumber will save you a major headache. 

No homeowner wants to see their toilet overflow while scrambling for towels. Or watch their hardwood floor get ruined by water damage. It may be tempting to put off repairs, but a true professional can save you a lot of trouble and money down the road.

We’re here for you when it’s time to get your plumbing under control!

Ways to Avoid Expensive Plumbing Repairs

stressed woman calling plumber to fix water leaking from ceiling - D&F Plumbing, Heating and Cooling, serving Portland OR & Vancouver WA talks about ways to avoid expensive plumbing repairs.

stressed woman calling plumber to fix water leaking from ceiling - D&F Plumbing, Heating and Cooling, serving Portland OR & Vancouver WA talks about ways to avoid expensive plumbing repairs.It’s no use crying over spilled milk, but a leaky pipe–well that could certainly send someone to tears. Although emergency plumbing issues are rare, they do happen. And when they do, they can take a big chunk out of your wallet.

This is why it’s important to prevent major problems from happening and take action when they do occur.

Perform Regular Plumbing Maintenance

Keeping your pipes and plumbing fixtures in good condition can help prevent leaks. Have regular plumbing maintenance performed to ensure all of your plumbing connections are secure. Have your water heater flushed to remove sediment and improve efficiency. Also, make sure your sinks aren’t leaking.

Protect Your Pipes

Plumbing leaks and pipe bursts often occur in the winter when temperatures drop. Burst pipes can cause serious damage, so insulate them in vulnerable areas like basements, garages, and crawl spaces.

Adjust Your Water Pressure

A high-pressure shower may be enjoyable, but having it set too high can cause damage to your plumbing fixtures, joints, and pipes. This doesn’t mean you need to suffer with just a trickling of water, but simply keep it below 80 psi.

Have Regular Plumbing Inspections

One of the best ways to avoid expensive plumbing repairs is to have your plumbing system regularly inspected by a professional. When you work with D&F Plumbing, Heating and Cooling, we’ll inspect your plumbing and repair any small issues before they become costly emergencies.

Your Trusted Plumbers

A major plumbing problem can not only mean expensive repairs, but it can also cause flooding and other damages. If you discover a plumbing issue, turn to D&F Plumbing, Heating and Cooling. Since 1927, homeowners have trusted our experienced and qualified plumbing contractors for their plumbing needs. We not only offer affordable financing but we also offer plumbing specials regularly! View our website and contact us today to schedule your plumbing service!