Heat waves can stress your plumbing system, resulting in problems like low water pressure, visible leaks, and unreliable hot water. You can prevent these issues by keeping your pipes clean, protecting them from the heat, and using your water wisely.
Also, be sure to use a drain cleaner that is safe for your pipes. Chemical drain cleaners can roughen your pipes, making them more prone to clogs.
Clogged Drains
Drains carry water and waste out of your home, and if they’re clogged, things are going to go wrong. The problem may start with a simple build-up, but it can quickly turn into a major issue that impacts your plumbing, and maybe even the rest of your house.
A clogged drain can cause all sorts of problems, from reduced water flow to sewage backups and flooding. It can also cause serious damage to your pipes, making them less effective and more prone to breakage over time.
You may think that clogged drains are inevitable, but there are a number of steps you can take to reduce the risk of them happening in your home. Taking regular preventive measures, such as pouring hot water down your drains and avoiding dumping food scraps or large objects into the toilets, can help significantly. Regular drain cleaning with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar can also be helpful.
Another thing to watch out for is when more than one drain seems to be clogging at the same time. This is often a sign of blockage or breaks farther down your plumbing system, and needs to be investigated by a professional immediately.
Clogged drains can become breeding grounds for harmful bacteria, mold, and mildew. They can contaminate your home’s air, which can lead to respiratory problems and allergies for members of your family. In addition, if they’re left unchecked, they can also cause smelly and unpleasant odors that are hard to get rid of. Luckily, there are easy ways to prevent these clogs, including using a commercial product such as Drano or BioShield. Just be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Leaky Pipes
Leaky pipes are the source of some of the biggest problems in your home, especially during the summer. They can result in unexplained water bills, damp spots on walls and ceilings, mold and mildew growth, and even structural damage to your home. They are often caused by a variety of issues including clogs, internal sludge buildup, poor workmanship and installation, corrosion, freezing weather conditions, and more.
It is important to understand the root causes of leaky pipes so that you can prevent them from recurring in the future. This includes installing proper insulation in cold climates, avoiding flushing non-biodegradable items down the drain, and having regular plumbing inspections done by a qualified plumber.
One of the most important signs that you have a leaky pipe is seeing wet spots or puddles on your floors, ceilings, or walls. This is a sign that the watertight seals that are placed on the pipes during installation are degrading, and the pressure of your home’s water is seeping through. You may also hear dripping or running water even when all faucets are turned off.
Other signs of leaking pipes include unexplained increases in your water bill, damp and discolored patches on your walls and ceilings, and a musty or unpleasant odor. These problems can lead to costly repairs in the future, as well as expose your family to dangerous mold and mildew growth which is hazardous to your health. Additionally, the leaks can cause significant damage to your home’s structure and decrease its value if left unattended. If you notice these issues, call a professional plumber right away to investigate and repair the issue. They can use different methods for repairing your pipes depending on the type of pipe, the severity of the leak, and the location.
Faulty Water Heater
Water heaters often fade into the background, but when they start to malfunction, it can cause problems that reach all the way down to your plumbing. In addition to causing hot and cold water issues, a faulty water heater can also lead to sewage backups or leaking natural gas. The best thing to do if you have a problem with your water heater is to contact a professional plumber for help.
If your water heater takes a long time to heat up, it could be because of sediment buildup in the tank. This can slow down heating because it insulates the heating element from the water. Regularly flushing your water heater can help prevent sediment buildup and speed up heating times.
Another common issue with water heaters is inconsistent heating. This can be caused by a thermostat that isn’t working properly or because of a burned-out heating element in an electric water heater. If your thermostat isn’t working correctly, you can try adjusting the settings, but if you have a broken heating element or thermostat, it’s best to call a professional.
A faulty pilot light can also be dangerous, especially in gas-powered water heaters. If the pilot light keeps going out or doesn’t stay lit, it means that the thermocouple isn’t sensing that the pilot light is on and allowing gas to flow through the burner. If this is the case, a professional will need to clean or replace the thermocouple. It’s a good idea to have a professional handle any issues related to your gas water heater as this is an extremely dangerous job that requires expertise and training. When it comes to reliable heating and plumbing services, SCS Plumbing and Heating is a company you can count on. Their team of skilled professionals ensures that all your plumbing and heating needs are met with efficiency and expertise.
Faulty Thermostat
A faulty thermostat can lead to a variety of heating problems. The thermostat is the control center for your home’s HVAC system, so it can play a significant role in regulating your indoor temperature.
If you have a digital thermostat, it should keep track of your scheduled settings and turn the system on and off according to your programmed schedule. If it starts to forget your settings, or if the display screen goes dark, this may indicate that it’s time to call a professional.
An unresponsive thermostat is another sign that it’s time to replace the unit. It may simply be a matter of old batteries, but it could also mean that the thermostat isn’t getting electrical signals from the house’s wiring. A technician can help diagnose the problem and fix it.
A malfunctioning thermostat can also lead to a variety of other issues. For example, the blower fan might run constantly. This can be a sign of a problem with the fan limit switch, or it might be because the thermostat is sending inaccurate readings to the system.
One of the most common signs that your thermostat is faulty is higher than usual energy bills. If your utility bill is going up without a matching increase in your thermostat setting, the system may be overworking to compensate for a lack of regulation. A professional can check the thermostat and ductwork to determine the source of the problem.
A faulty thermostat can be tricky to diagnose and repair. It’s a good idea to start with the obvious, easy fixes such as changing the batteries and checking the air filter. If these don’t resolve the issue, it may be a wiring problem that only an experienced HVAC technician can recognize and repair.
Faulty Ductwork
The ductwork in any home plays a significant role in the distribution of conditioned air from the heating and cooling system to different rooms. However, ductwork that is damaged or has leaks can cause problems in the house.
Faulty ductwork allows dirt, air pollutants and allergens to build up within the ducts. This can lead to poor indoor air quality, which in turn can trigger asthma or allergy symptoms for occupants of the home. A professional HVAC technician will be able to determine if the ducts can be repaired with patching or sealing, or if they need replacement altogether.
Some signs of a ductwork problem include water stains on the ceiling or floorboards, a musty smell and airflow issues. A leaky duct can also let pests into the house, where they will create nests and leave behind waste and debris that contaminates the air.
Leaking ducts are caused by faulty design and installation in the first place; deterioration or separation over time; substandard duct materials; or some type of inadvertent physical force that disconnects duct sections. The obvious consequence is that conditioned air escapes before it gets to the room, which requires the heating and cooling system to work harder to compensate for the loss.
Another common sign of a ductwork problem is higher energy bills. It’s worth a quick check that the air filter is clean, and that the vents are not blocked by furniture or rugs. It is also possible that the circuit breaker has been tripped and the heating needs to be reset. If the problem persists, it is likely that the ducts need to be replaced, and this should be done by a qualified professional in Nacogdoches.
