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8 Signs You Need to Check Your Plumbing
By Martha White MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
Your plumbing is one of the most important systems in your home. Clogs, leaks or other issues with pipes or fixtures can quickly become expensive headaches. Water damage can infiltrate your home beyond what the naked eye can see, weakening structural supports, causing mold or mildew and racking up large water bills.
The amount of damage even a small leak can wreak means that it pays to be proactive and catch leaks as soon as they emerge. Fortunately, there are a number of telltale signs that are red flags indicating that you might have a plumbing issue. If you observe any of these, taking quick action could save you from extensive, expensive repairs.
1. Your water use jumps
Even a small leak can waste gallons of water every day. Your first clue that you might have a leak could be if your water bills suddenly jump without a corresponding increase in water usage. Likewise, if your water meter is constantly running even when you don’t believe you’re using any water, that’s a good indication that water is escaping somewhere.
2. You have abnormal water pressure
Water pressure that suddenly weakens could indicate a broader issue with your water supply (such as a municipal water main break) or a crack or rupture of the main line that brings water to your house.
Conversely, water pressure that’s too high can also cause problems. Most pipes and fixtures are manufactured to work when water pressure is 40 to 60 psi (pounds of pressure per square inch). Pressure that’s too high can stress the components of your plumbing system, leading to leaks. Consider installing a pressure regulator to make sure that the water coming into your home system isn’t high enough to cause damage.
3. You have slow or smelly drains
Slow-draining sinks or bathtubs often indicate a partial clog, while a foul odor could indicate a blockage or backup with your sewer system. Ignoring a slow or smelly drain is a gamble, because clogs don’t fix themselves — but they can definitely worsen. If hair, food, grease or other material blocks a pipe entirely, you could have a messy, unsanitary backup on your hands. If you have multiple slow drains, you could have a more serious problem, potentially with your main sewer line or septic system.
4. You see bubbling paint, stains or visible mold
Bubbling, cracking or peeling paint on ceilings or walls is a red flag that water has infiltrated spaces behind your walls or above your ceilings. These can be caused by dripping or leaking pipes, or broken fixtures. Likewise, visible mold indicates that a leak has been ongoing for long enough to allow mold to grow — all circumstances that warrant immediate action to prevent damage from worsening.
5. You see water around fixtures or appliances
While some plumbing problems are invisible, others can be seen, so it’s a good idea to inspect your home regularly. You should regularly examine exposed pipes and fittings around toilets and sinks, and seals around bathtubs and toilets. Don’t forget to make sure there isn’t any dampness around appliances like your water heater, washing machine, dishwasher and refrigerator (if it has a water or ice dispenser).
6. You have noisy pipes
Gurgling, banging or whistling sounds when you turn on the tap, take a shower or flush could indicate air or a blockage in your pipes, or loose or fatigued hardware. Any of those circumstances could turn into a serious issue if you don’t find and address the cause quickly.
7. You detect a musty smell
Even if your water damage isn’t visible to the naked eye, the nose knows. If you have a room that smells musty — especially if it’s a part of your house that never smelled that way before, that’s a pretty good indication that there might be water infiltrating your walls or subflooring.
8. There are wet or spongy spots on your floor — or lawn
Damp, warped or sagging flooring is an indication that water has infiltrated. A puddle, soft or sunken spot in your yard is a red flag that could indicate an issue with the main water line coming to your house.
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