9 Signs You Need to Repair Your Bathroom Plumbing

Your bathroom is likely one of the most popular rooms in your home. Aside from the kitchen, it is often the bathroom that gets the most use in a home. It also sees the most plumbing action, from the toilet flushes to the bathtub to the sink. Water is almost constantly running to this part of your house. Even with regular maintenance and care, however, elements in your bathroom may need some extra TLC. Therefore, it is important to watch for signs that your bathroom plumbing needs some professional help. Here are a few things to look out for.

When it’s Time to Call the Plumber

While not every plumbing problem you deal with in your bathroom will have you running for the phone to call a professional plumber, there are times when you will need to fix the problem. Here are some of the things to watch out for that signal you should call your plumber:

1. Knocking pipes. Do you hear a knocking sound when you shower or are running water at the sink? This is a clear sign that you need to contact a professional plumber. Several different problems can cause this sound. You may have a pressurization issue in the pipe prompted by its use, or there may be some loose valves in the pipe system. Alternatively, you could have a high water pressure issue, or the support straps are loose. These issues can cause bigger problems if they cause your pipes to move. You may end up with a leak or a bent pipe.
2. Low water pressure. Have you noticed that the water pressure in your bathroom has dropped? If you do not get a steady stream of water from the taps after turning them on, you should investigate further. Start by checking for clogs in your shower head or faucet. You can clear a clog with a water and vinegar solution. If this doesn’t fix the low water pressure problem, have a professional plumber come in and look at it. Low water pressure may be an indication you have a leak or a damaged water heater. Either way, you will need to have the problem fixed sooner rather than later.
3. Constant dripping. If you notice that your taps or showerheads have a constant drip, it could be an indication of a bigger problem in your pipes. Even if the dripping is slow, you need to tackle the issue now before it gets worse. Constant dripping in your bathroom could be caused by high water pressure in your pipes, or a problem with water draining. There is a possibility that the on/off valve for your taps or shower is broken and needs repair. In any case, it is best to have a professional plumber come and assess the problem. While dripping water may seem like a small nuisance, it can lead to a big headache later on.
4. Slow drainage. Often, a clog in your pipes can cause the water to drain slower. Use a drain cleaning solution or a plumbing snake to clear up the problem. However, if these solutions don’t work, you should contact your professional plumber. It could be a sign that there is a larger problem with your plumbing system. This could be a broken pipe or some pooled water in your main drain that is not getting cleared away properly. Either of these problems can become expensive fixes if they are not handled properly in a timely way.
5. Cold showers. Are you finding it tough to get hot water in your bathroom? Are you tired of cold showers? If the water does not warm up after a couple of minutes, you may have an issue with your hot water tank. That is not something you want to tackle on your own. If there is a leak in your hot water tank or if it is not able to maintain proper temperature, it’s time for a professional to deal with it.
6. Running toilet. Another annoying noise can happen when your toilet flapper doesn’t close properly. This can cause constant water running sound. Unfortunately, that sound can cost you a lot of money on your water bill. If this is happening in your home, it’s time to call in a professional plumber to help you.
7. Coloured water. When you turn your water on, it should run out of the pipes with no strange colour. However, if you do see an odd hue in your water, you’ll have to trust the repair to a professional plumber. There can be several causes for the coloured water in your taps, depending on what you are seeing. Cloudy water means there’s air in your pipes, while brown or yellow-coloured water usually means your pipes are rusty. If you have copper pipes, you may see some green in your water, which signals the pipes have corroded. If you see a blue colour in the water, the corrosion is quite advanced. Whatever colour is turning up in your water, it’s not normal, and you should call a professional plumber to come and handle it for you.
8. Strange smell. If you have a strange smell coming from your pipes when you turn your water on, it can be more than just gross. Smelly water can mean that your pipes are in dire need of a cleaning, or they could be broken. Should this happen to you, contact a professional plumber who can figure out what is causing the smell and repair it.
9. Wet walls or ceiling. Small moist patches on your wall or ceiling may be a sign that you have a leaky pipe. It’s a good idea to have a professional plumber examine the area to determine if there is a pipe problem that needs to be fixed. Calling a plumber in early can save you money on a costly repair down the road.

For more information about identifying and fixing plumbing problems in your bathroom, call Brothers Plumbing at 1-800-742-0018 or contact us here.