7 Not-So-Obvious Signs That You Need to Call Plumber to Your Bay Area Home

When most people encounter a severe water leak or drain clog, their first thought is to call the plumber. After all, we’re here to help you in times of emergency. But it’s not always so obvious when you have a plumbing problem, and knowing how to catch small problems will save you the pain of having to deal with much larger issues down the road. Today we’re going help you do that by talking about 7 not-so-obvious signs that it’s time to call a plumber!

7 not-so-obvious signs that it’s time to call a plumber

• Water buildup under your sinks. How often do you check under your sinks for signs of a water leak? Most people will occasionally open up the cabinets under their sinks to quickly grab something, but water buildup deep in the back of those cabinets can go unnoticed for quite some time. Be sure to check under your sinks periodically for signs of water buildup and look out for any signs of wetness on anything that you store in your cabinets.
• Smelly drains. Any time that you notice an odor emanating from one or more of your drains, you should be suspicious. Drains can smell due to a leak in a vent pipe, issues with a sewer line, grease clogs and a whole host of other issues. Often times, the problem is somewhere deep inside your drains and the smell is the only way that you can notice it.
• Noisy drains. Do your drains make a “gurgling” sound every time that you run a faucet or flush a toilet? You might think this is completely normal, but it’s actually typically a sign that there is aclog or issue with a vent somewhere in your pipes. The noise you’re hearing is the sound of air rushing up through the water that’s draining, which is anything but normal.
• Low water pressure. If water doesn’t come out of your showerheads or taps as forcefully as it used to, there’s almost always a reason for it. Often times this is due to either a leak somewhere or a buildup of hard water minerals in your pipes.  
• High water bills. Water bills will fluctuate a little bit month-to-month, but it’s a not a good sign when there is a sudden spike. This likely means that there is a hidden leak somewhere in your pipes that is allowing water to continuously be consumed by your home.
• Water is not hot enough. If the water you use for showering or washing your hands is not able to get as hot as it used to, there’s likely an issue with your water heater that will need to be taken care of. This might be an operational issue that needs to be repaired, or it might be caused by sediment buildup at the bottom of your water heater’s tank.
• Slow-draining tubs and sinks. After taking a shower, are you left standing in a puddle of water? Or when you’re brushing your teeth or shaving, does water build up quickly in the sink but drain out slowly? This is a tell-tale sign that you have a clog somewhere in your pipes

If you have any questions about the signs that it’s time to call a plumber, or if you’d like a plumbing system serviced or installed in your home, contact Cabrillo, your Bay Area plumbing, heating and air conditioning contractor.