Plumbing services like maintenance and repair are important for both home and commercial owners, which can usually be overlooked. Unfortunately, since these services go months or even years without proper attention, home or commercial owners are left with the burden of emergency maintenance, and costly repairs.

Luckily, there are some signs that can help you determine when regular maintenance is needed for failing pipes. It's important to get acquainted with the common indicators of faulty pipes, so that you can stay ahead of bigger disasters.

Continuous Dripping from the Faucets

Dripping faucets or pipes are seen as one of the most common problems in many houses. This continuous dripping not only causes noise frustration but can also lead to costly water bills. It may not seem like a pressing issue, but this can have adverse effects if it is left unaddressed for too long. Having a maintenance check on the faucets or pipes can determine where the issue lies, before there is a break in the line, or worse. Most water softeners need half a gallon a minute of flow to properly soften the water. Slow leaks let hard water and iron into the pipes and out from the taps. Blue and green stains can be an indication that the copper tubing is being attacked by acidic water which will lead to pinhole leaks in the water lines.

Lower Water Pressure than Usual

The average water pressure is between 45 and 80 psi in a residential home.  Typically, low water pressure in pipes is due to mineral build up in the pipes or poorly sized pipes that fail to provide the proper amount of water pressure. Finding a solution to this issue early can save you from aggravation from poor water flow.

Visible Stains on Walls

If your walls or ceilings have started showing brown stains, it is likely to be the work of a leaky pipe. These stains are a sign of accumulation of moisture in your walls and ceiling which can ruin them. When you start to notice these stains it's important to act fast, this issue can lead to damage to your home, mold issues, and costly repairs for the pipes and your home.

Unpleasant Smell from the Drains

Nasty odors emanating from your drains is a strong sign of poor or faulty plumbing. If the odor comes only from the kitchen, then it may be the result of food getting clogged in your drainage pipes which has begun decaying over time. If you are experiencing frequent clogging in the drains with a foul smell, then there is probably a chance that the pipe is damaged, pitched the wrong way, or partially clogged.

Sluggish Drains

Slow drains are indicators of blockages in the pipes and can be a sign of weak plumbing. Gurgling in the drains, sinks, or tub that back up while in use are signs of sluggish drains.

If you've encountered any of the issues described above, then we would recommend hiring a professional and highly trained plumbing expert. Although you may be tempted to fix these issues yourself, the work of an experienced and skilled plumber is the only solution to handle the problems like these so they don't occur frequently.