As a homeowner, it is essential you know when to call a plumber or a septic specialist for your home improvement concerns. Determining which service providers to contact is not easy since both systems use pipes and drains. You should know that a plumber focuses on the lines bringing water in and out of your house, while a septic tank specialist is more focused on the functionality of the septic tank and its components. This article aims at distinguishing between the roles played by these parties and how you can determine which of the two you need to contact for home repairs.
Who Is a Plumber?
A plumber is any professional who handles all the pipes, fittings, and other water supply apparatus. Their work focuses on ensuring the water supply in your house remains constant, and no leaks or blockages are present. They also handle installing and maintaining portable water systems and repairing drainage and plumbing systems in your home or office.
Signs You Need a Plumber
It is essential to consider a plumber before deciding to DIY the drainage concerns in your home. Although some problems may look easy to fix, plumbing problems usually have a way of backfiring on someone without the necessary skills and knowledge to handle them. Here is how you can know you require a licensed plumber service.
No Running Water
Nothing spoils your mood in the morning like waking up to a house with no water. Having no running water in your home should indicate that you need a plumber, since the issue may be in your drainage and pipe configuration. Consult with your neighbors first if they have a similar problem to rule out that it may be a community water concern rather than personal.
Lacking water in your home is a significant warning that not everything is right with your structure’s plumbing. Aspects that may cause you to lose running water access include major leaks, frozen pipes, and backups. Call a plumber quickly since these leaks may cause damage to your home’s structure and even spread to its foundation.
A Sweating Water Heater
A sweating water heater indicates a slow leak that will worsen with time, leading to water wastage and even loss. It is not easy to note that your heater is sweating; you will need to check the pilot light or get close to the unit. To identify a sweating unit, you will notice damp ground right below the shower.
You can use water softeners to aid in removing hardness causing magnesium and calcium and reduce pipe clogging within your heater unit. It would be helpful to solve these issues early to avoid them developing into more expensive repairs. Other aspects signifying danger include corrosion of the water heater, rusty spots in the surrounding piping, and a large pool of water near the drip pan.
Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure in your home is another sign you need a plumber in your home. Your water should flow forcefully with enough pressure to allow practical working conditions when doing domestic chores. If the issue is only in one room, the problem could be simple, most likely a clogged aerator. A vinegar soak or some scrubbing can prove helpful in addressing this situation, but you will have to unscrew the aerator first. However, if the issue is a concern in all the rooms, you need to contact your nearest plumber to come and determine the problem.
Cleaning the aerator should prove beneficial in most pressure-related concerns. If it fails to produce positive results, you will need professional services since the issue may be related to broken pipes in your home’s foundation or between the walls. You need to fix this issue as soon as possible because the affected areas will leak whenever you use water in your home, contributing to water wastage and expensive water bills.
An Overflowing Toilet
It is relatively normal for any family with children to experience an overflowing toilet. In most scenarios, the toilet overflows because of wrongful use of the unit or dumping items that can clog the draining pipes. If the issue becomes rampant and excessive, you probably need to consult with a plumbing service provider to help look into the matter. A common fix for running toilets involves replacing the flapper; it is a simple process that saves money and time.
It would be practical to turn off the water entirely if the issue persists until you conduct a professional system analysis. You can use a plunger to solve a clogging problem, which you can detect if the toilet starts to flow immediately after a flush. An ideal plumber will help solve the overflowing and clogging and prevent it from happening again in your home.
Who Is a Septic Specialist?
Septic specialists are plumbers specializing in handling septic-related domestic concerns like repairing and maintaining the involved units. Septic systems are common in rural areas which lack a connected sewer system and act as a waste disposal approach. These septic units facilitate the collection of human and domestic waste, treating the collected compound and releasing it to the environment. You should reach out to any cesspool pumping company to have a qualified contractor to help maintain your septic system.
Signs You Need a Septic Specialist
If you own a septic tank, you must know when you may require the services of a septic tank specialist. Since septic systems are different from sewer systems, you need a plumber specializing in septic tanks for professional and satisfactory results. There are several components in a septic system, and these specialists have the required knowledge and skills to tackle most customer concerns professionally. Here are some of the signs you need to observe to determine whether a septic specialist is necessary.
Hissing and Babbling Sounds
A septic system that functions correctly needs to be quiet when waste and water move down the pipes. If your system produces hissing or bubbling sounds, there is an issue requiring you to contact professional services. Gurgling sounds indicate a clog in the pipes, and the more it remains unattended, the harder it is for water and waste to pass. Any sounds observed from your septic system should alert you that something is not right with your home and a repair is necessary soon.
Toilet Flushing Troubles
If you experience any issues with your toilet, especially flushing, you should consider emergency plumbing to sort out the problem. An ideally functional bathroom should allow you to get everything down the drain by a single flush. Some toilets fail to flush, while others require more than one water cycle to completely drain your waste, indicating a fault in the system. Only after inspection can you identify the issue, its degree of damage, and the necessary corrective measures.
Water Backing Up
You will need to call a septic tank specialist when you notice standing water in your shower, sinks, and washing machine. Normally, water should drain completely from these components, through the draining pipes, and into the septic tank. Specialized plumbing equipment is necessary to identify the concern in the system and find an ideal approach to solve it. Failure to reach out to the essential professional team might lead to a complete septic system failure which will cause extensive property damage like flooding or electrical short-circuiting.
Foul Smells
Foul smells in your house and within your compound can also be a valuable indicator of when to call a septic specialist. Since septic systems generally involve managing waste disposal, it is normal to produce a foul smell. However, if the smell of rotten eggs becomes excessive and constant, you need to consider calling septic contractors to conduct an analysis.
The most common cause for this foul smell in the system is a leak in the septic tank, and you need to solve it quickly to avoid pouring its contents into the yard because of complete tank failure. Total tank failure means you will require a massive cleanup in addition to getting a new tank and determining a replacement system. Call a plumber specializing in septic tanks if the foul smell worsens near the septic tank.
Green Grass Around Your Septic Tank
Every homeowner dreams of having a green backyard in their environment. However, if the grass around your septic tank has a better appeal than the rest of the compound, you may need to contact an affordable local plumber. The grass around this area looks better than the rest because if the septic system is faulty, the waste will leak into the ground and provide growth nutrients to any plant around. You should repair or replace your tank, depending on the damage, as soon as possible to avoid total system failure, which is even more costly.
Slow Drains
Slow drains are another aspect you need to be on the lookout for when determining whether to call a septic tank specialist. A clog is the primary cause of most slow drains, and a plumbing service provider is required to solve the issue accordingly. Pipes and drains clog because of waste buildup within the lines; good examples of components facilitating clogging include grease, hair, soap scum, and other debris passing through the system.
The first corrective measure done by the septic specialist is determining the cause of slow drains. They will need to clean the entire drain system and ensure no debris blocks liquid and solid passage. If the problem remains persistent after a thorough clean, it would be wise to switch your focus to the septic unit and its components. You may require a cesspool pumper to empty your tank and check for cracks that may cause drainage issues. Remember, the sooner you repair your system, the sooner water flows freely down your drains.
How to Tell Who I Need — a Plumber or Septic Specialist?
Check Your Septic Tanks Cleanup
You must check the cleanup on your septic tank before deciding which specialist to call. You can check this aspect by focusing on a PVC-made short pipe sticking out from the ground between your home and the septic tank. You will need to remove the pipe’s cap; if you observe some standing water, it would be best to consider the services of a septic specialist. The standing water proves blockage prevents the ideal passage of wastewater or the unit is overflowing.
The Number of Slow Drains
The number of slow drains within your compound is another essential aspect you need to consider to determine whether you need septic specialists or plumbing contractors. Call a plumber if the issue involves not more than one drain. A septic specialist is ideal if the units closest to the ground or septic have problems or several fixtures are not functioning accordingly.
How Old Is Your Septic System?
The age of your septic tank also determines its efficiency and functionality; you need to consider when deciding on the professionals to call for repair. You will require a septic tank specialist for septic units older than 15 years, while a plumber is ideal for any unit showing minor discrepancies below this limit. Factors that may interfere with the aging process of your unit include the tank size, number of inhabitants in your environment, and their water usage estimates.
Can Other Home Constructions Lead to Plumbing Concerns?
Any construction project in your home requires professional handling to ensure that it does not interfere with the present drainage and sewer configuration. If you assign the task to an incompetent team, they may cause harm to other aspects of your house, like the AC, which means an additional ac repair service expense after construction. Ensure that everything is functioning correctly after a home construction task before the contractors leave to ensure you do not incur extra costs.
If you experience any issues with your drainage and sewer system, it would be wise to contact reputable plumbers. Some problems are simple and do not require professional input, while others are so extensive that licensed specialists can only solve them. Every homeowner has to decide who to call for any plumbing concerns, and their choice needs to guarantee positive and satisfactory results in the project.