Drip. Drip. Drip-drip. It’s late, you were drifting into a pleasant sleep, but you’ve jumped awake at the sound of a distant drip only to find out that you have major problems.

It sounds far louder than it is, but as you race to tighten the taps, you’re doing the maths in your head. Even if it’s a plumbing issue that requires a late-night phone call to a professional, at least it’s one that made enough noise to tip you off to the problem. 

The scariest plumbing problems are those that silently wreak havoc throughout your home and come with a large bill after quietly damaging everything around them. You need to know what to look for in terms of the symptoms because you may have a big plumbing problem on the horizon. 

1. A smell 

Every drain should have a trap, and every trap should have a vent. This system was devised to prevent smells from seeping into your home. The vents should push smells to the roof, and the drain should act as a barrier to prevent them from coming up through your drains. If there is a sewer smell inside your home you have an issue that requires a call to the professionals. 

2. Climbing water bills 

If your water bill is increasing, but your usage hasn’t, then there’s likely a plumbing issue. You can start this journey by playing troubleshooting detective. The most common source of this problem is a running toilet. If your toilet isn’t the problem, you can take your detective work to the next level. 

Take a look at your taps, the walls behind those taps, and then take your walk to the dark spots where damp and moisture collect. You should also walk around the outside of your home to look for potential problems. Whether you find something obvious or not, you will need to call in a professional plumber to look into the problem for you. 

3. Blistered paint 

If there is blistered paint, whether, on the ceiling or walls, you have a moisture problem. The most common reason for this is a leak. This leak might be within your plumbing system or in your roof. In addition to blistered paint, you should keep your eyes peeled for brown spots. If you see either of these issues you need to launch an investigation to find the source. 

4. Discoloured pipes 

It’s always wise to keep an eye on your pipes. Don’t just look for obvious leaks, take a look at the colour of your pipes too. If there is discolouration present, particularly around joints, then you have a moisture issue somewhere in the line. It could be a simple drip or, it could be a serious issue such as a slow leak in your supply line. Either way, you need to call in a plumber before it spirals out of control. 

5. Water flow issues 

If you have low water pressure, whether it’s in one tap or several, there’s an issue. If it’s only one tap then it’s likely an easy fix as it’s generally a faucet aerator. However, if it’s several you have a distribution issue with the mains. This could be the result of a leak. If there are other signs of water problems, you could have a serious problem on your hands. 

6. Wobbly toilet 

Does your toilet give a little wobble when you take a seat? Hopefully, the seat just needs a little bit of a tightening. If the wobble is the bowl itself, however, it could be a bigger issue. First, check the floor bolts and tighten them. If this doesn’t fix the problem, it’s possible the seal around the drain has let you down, and there is water wearing your sub-floor away. 

7. Green patch 

If part of your garden is greener than the rest it may suggest a plumbing issue. It’s particularly concerning if that patch is between the street and your home, as that’s a common path for sewer lines. A sunken area may also suggest the same issue. 

8. Slow drains 

A slow drain might be silent, but it should be an obvious sign that you have a water problem. It might be a straightforward fix with a plunger or a snake, but the further down the line the clog is the more challenging the solution. If it’s more than one drain, then it suggests a much bigger problem. If a drip is continuing to cause you sleepless nights, get in touch with our team today!