Plumbing problems in your suburban Chicago home can sometimes be complex, requiring professional diagnosis and repairs. However, at other times plumbing problems might be simple enough for you to find and fix yourself. The first step is knowing what your problem could be telling you about your plumbing system.

High Water Bills

If your water bill has increased but you haven’t changed your water use, you likely have a leak somewhere that you can’t see. You can turn off all your water sources and then check your meter. If it’s moving, you have a leak somewhere. Inspect your home by looking under sinks and checking ceiling and walls for signs of moisture. Check your basement for leaking pipes as well.

If you can isolate the problem and you’re handy, you may be able to fix it yourself. If you can’t find the leak or it’s beyond your skills, call a professional plumber. They have diagnostic equipment to detect the source of the leak and the expertise to fix it.

Slow Drains

If you have only one slow drain, it’s likely to be a clog isolated to that particular drain. You can probably remove the clog with a plunger. For a sink or tub, turn on the faucet and let a little water accumulate. Then use a cup plunger to clear the clog. You may have to do this multiple times. For toilets, use a flange plunger.  Chemicals are not recommended for any drains in your home.

If you have multiple slow drains, the most likely culprit is a clog in your main sewer line. You’ll need to call a plumber immediately, or you may experience messy backups. They will do a camera inspection of your sewer line to isolate the location of the clog and recommend the best solution.

Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure is a tricky one because it could have multiple causes. If only one faucet is affected, check the fixture to make sure your aerator isn’t clogged with debris. You can also check the pipes to the faucet for clogs, check the pressure gauge on your water heater, and check your water pressure regulator.

If you cannot find anything wrong, it’s time to call a plumber. Other possible causes include:

  • Corroded pipes
  • Leaking pipes
  • Corroded valves

A plumber can diagnose the cause and make necessary repairs.

Rattling Pipes

Rattling pipes usually mean that pipes are not secured properly and are hitting the walls when water goes through. If you can identify the exact location and access the pipes, you can tighten the mounting straps. The problem could also be trapped air in the pipes or high water pressure. In those cases, you need the help of a professional.

Dripping Faucets

Dripping faucets are usually caused by worn out rubber washer, o-ring, or valve. This is a pretty simple fix that you can do yourself with a faucet repair kit that you can get at your local hardware store.

Discolored Water

Discolored water is usually a sign of corroded or rusty pipes. This, unfortunately, means that your pipes need to be replaced, which can be a big job that requires going through drywall. Rust colored water could also be caused by sediment buildup in your water heater, which may be solved by a water heater flush or water heater replacement.

Sewer Odor

Several issues can cause a sewer odor in your home. These can include blocked vent pipes, which vent sewer gases to the outside. You can check these vents and clear any blockages that you find.

Another culprit could be dry sewer drains, which can occur when it gets hot. You can flush the drains with water and a little bleach to clean them.

Other causes include malfunctioning P traps or S traps, clogged drains, and cracked sewer lines. Your best bet is to call a plumber as soon as possible. Sewer gas is not safe to breathe.

Dripping Pipes

Dripping pipes are usually caused by corrosion of the pipes or from broken seals. It could also be caused by water pressures due to clogs. In this case the pipe could burst, causing water damage to your home. Another simple cause could be a loose coupling nut. If you can find the source of the leak, you may be able to fix it yourself by tightening up connections or using plumber’s tape to seal joints. If nothing you do fixes the problem, it’s time to call a plumber.

Gurgling Drains

A single gurgling drain could just be caused by a clog, which you may be able to clear yourself. It could also be from a damaged P trap, which you can replace. If you have multiple drains that are gurgling, you may have a clogged or damaged sewer line, which will need professional attention. You should call a professional immediately before you have a back up or more damage.

No Hot Water or Less Hot Water

Clearly, no hot water indicates a problem, which could be a problem with your energy supply or a defect of your heating element or ignition. If you have a gas water heater, first check the gas line connections for leaks. If you smell a rotten egg smell or hear a hissing sound at the connection, you have a leak. You can also check for leaks by applying dish soap and water to each connection. If bubbles form you have a leak.

If you have a leak, turn off your gas supply immediately, open windows and doors, and call a professional plumber.

If you have an electric water heater, check your breaker and reset it. You can also reset your temperature setting by turning off the breaker and hitting the high-temperature cutoff reset button.

If these tricks don’t solve the issue, you need to call a professional who can check the heating element and ignition and tell you if the problem can be repaired. If your heating element needs to be replaced and your water heater is near the 10-year mark, you may want to consider replacing the unit. If the unit is newer and no other issues are found, you can probably just replace the heating element.

If your water heater suddenly is not providing enough hot water, it may also be a problem with your heating element, or if your water heater is new, your tank may not be large enough to meet your capacity needs. Either way, this issue requires a call to a professional.

Your Plumbing Partner in the Chicago Suburbs

Chicago area residents have relied on TR Miller Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing for their plumbing needs since 2008. When you have a plumbing issue, our professional plumbing team will evaluate your system to diagnose the issue and offer the best solution.

Your time is valuable, so our team will arrive promptly and get your problem solved quickly. Your family’s comfort is our priority. Give us a call today!

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