Go Down Into Your Basement And Look For These Signs Of Plumbing Trouble
Massive water leaks, sewage backups, bursting hot water tanks — these are all pretty serious plumbing problems. If any of them happen in your home, then, of course, you should call a plumber. But did you know that if you know what signs to look for, you can often have plumbing problems addressed before they get this bad? This weekend, spend some time looking around your basement. If you notice any of these signs or issues, call a plumber to fix or address them.
Mineral buildup around your main water valve.
The main water valve is a large valve that controls the flow of water into your home. If you do ever have a major plumbing leak, you will need to be able to turn this valve off to stop the flow of water and limit the damage. Locate this valve, and give it a close look. Do you see any mineral buildup around this valve? Can you turn the valve without too much effort? If there is mineral buildup, or if you are unable to turn the valve easily, you should call a plumber. They can either clean or replace the valve, depending on the extent of the damage.
Moist spots on the floor or walls.
In most basements, there are numerous water pipes that lead to the various rooms in your home. Look over the walls and floors near these pipes. Do you see any tiny drops of water on the surfaces? If the wall is drywalled, do you see any moist spots on the drywall? These are sure signs of a plumbing leak. You can and should have a plumber come take a look, locate the leaks, and replace the sections of the pipe that are leaking. Otherwise, one of the tiny leaks may "pop" into a larger leak at any point.
Moisture near the hot water heater.
Look at your hot water heater and the floor surrounding it. Do you see any moisture on or around the tank? Hot water heaters often develop leaky valves. At this stage, a plumber can likely just replace the damaged valve. If you were to ignore this problem, the tank itself may suffer more extensive damage and need to be replaced.
If you venture down into your basement, keep an eye out for these signs of plumbing trouble. Water damage is always tough to handle, so if you recognize a problem, have it taken care of promptly.
For more info, contact a local company like Spartan Plumbing Inc.
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