Many plumbing problems make themselves known early on, which allows you to act promptly before the situation worsens. Other plumbing problems happen quietly, resulting in long-term damage and costly repair bills. Fortunately, your friends from a Westlake plumbing repair company have compiled a list of subtle signs of plumbing problems. Recognizing these signs will help you save your plumbing and your money.

Low Water Pressure

• If you live in an old home, you might dismiss low water pressure as a character trait of aging pipes. However, low water pressure can signal numerous plumbing predicaments. Some issues that cause low water pressure, like clogged pipes, can be fixed easily. Other problems associated with low pressure can be severe. Leaks in pipes not only result in low pressure, but water contamination as well. If you are dealing with low water pressure, a plumber will be able to determine the cause.

Foul-Smelling Drain

• A bad smell from the drain is usually dismissed, especially if it’s the drain in the kitchen sink. You may think that the terrible odor is from food that may have been caught in the drain and is now rotting; but that is not often the case. What is more likely to happen is that P-trap—a segment of the pipes below the sink that prevents bad odors from coming up the drain—has dried up. This is especially the case if you’ve been away and haven’t used the sink in a while. This problem can usually be resolved by running water, but if that doesn’t eliminate the smell you should call a plumber.

Enclosed Spaces

• Enclosed spaces in your house can hide evidence of a leak. Check those spaces for wet spots regularly. Neglected leaks often cause mold, which is not only an expensive nuisance, but harmful to your health.

Discolored Water

• If you ever see brown or discolored water coming out of your faucets after you’ve turned on the hot water, this often indicates that you need to replace your water heater.

If you are having trouble approaching these plumbing issues, your Westlake plumbing service is eager to help.