Faulty plumbing can cause serious issues in a home. If you suspect you have an problem or are putting off a repair you could wind up with costly leaks, burst pipes, mold and mildew, backed up sewage or even structural damage to your home. Don’t ignore the top ten signs that you need to call a plumber.

1. You suddenly have waterfront property. If it hasn’t rained recently and your sprinkler system is sound but your lawn has unexpectedly become a soggy, wet mess then you might have a problem with the drainfield of your septic tank. It could be caused by a leaky pipe or a bad emitter or the entire system may need replaced. Either way, this is a job for a professional.
2. Your water is giving you the cold shoulder. If your six kids all just took long, hot showers you’ll probably find yourself sudsing up in icy water, but if it’s been a few hours and it’s still chilly you’ve got a water heater problem. It might be a bad heating element, a blown fuse, a bad overload switch or a faulty thermostat. It could also be a failed thermocouple burner or failed igniter. You probably won’t know, but your plumber will.
3. You’re thinking of building an ark. Any time flooding is involved a plumber should be called immediately. The problem could be as simple as a clogged drain or as serious as a broken pipe, and you don’t want to incur any additional water damage trying to figure it out on your own.
4. Your water heater is weeping. If your water heater has a slow leak it is likely that the housing has cracked and the heater needs replaced. Other signs of wear include rust and corrosion on the unit itself or around its connection to the pipes.
5. That incessant dripping is driving you crazy. Many homeowners drag their feet about calling a plumber for something they think will be a quick, easy fix, especially if they plan to repair it themselves “someday”. Make a list of all the tiny things you’ve been ignoring, including leaky faucets, running toilets, hard-to-turn handles and sluggish drains, and have a plumber to take care of them all. The peace of mind from finally having it done will be well worth the expense.
6. You’re remodeling. Whether you’re redesigning a bathroom, putting in new faucets or upgrading your kitchen, a plumber can offer advice and will be happy to install new fixtures. Repairing the damage caused by amateur plumbing can cost much more than getting it done right the first time.
7. Your faucets have gotten lazy. Low water pressure can have many causes. The simplest is a build-up of sediment on the aerators of the faucet. Most aerators can be unscrewed and cleaned out or soaked in vinegar to remove the deposits. If this doesn’t solve the problem you may have a much more serious issue like a cracked or broken pipe under the foundation of your home, which requires immediate attention to prevent damage to your infrastructure or foundation.
8. Your drains are lazy, too. Toilets, showers, tubs and sinks can all get clogged. Some blockages can be dislodged by a plunger or broken down by commercial drain cleaners, but if these don’t do the trick or the drain has perpetual problems it’s probably time to call a professional who can use special cameras and tools to identify and remove the problem. They can also spot and repair more serious causes like a collapsed sewer line, a faulty septic tank or an intrusion in the pipes.
9. You’ve found a puddle. A small drip may not seem like a bit deal, but even a tiny leak can foster mold and damage. Check regularly for water under sinks and be alert for the smell of mildew, particularly in attics and basements. Some leaks can be fixed by simply tightening the joint but others may require replacing the pipes.
10. There’s a funky smell, and it’s not your socks. A strange smell in your yard, near a drain or wafting through your home can indicate a clogged or improperly ventilated drainpipe or a blocked or broken sewer line. Both require a professional repair. Call someone right away if the smell is accompanied by gurgling or sluggish drains, as these warning signs are often followed by a backflow of sewage.