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How Our Professionals Diagnose and Repair Complex Plumbing Issues in Chicago

how our professionals diagnose and repair complex plumbing issues in chicago

Some plumbing problems in your home are easy to solve because the root cause of the issue and the right solutions are very clear. For instance, if a faucet is dripping or your toilet is running, a simple YouTube search will tell you how to fix the problem.

But not all plumbing problems in your home are like that, says EPM Elite Properties. Some plumbing issues come with complex symptoms that leave you confused about the real cause of the problem. For instance, low water pressure in your home may be due to three different but unrelated causes.

There are also plumbing problems that appear straightforward at first but turn out to be complicated in the end. For example, a clogged toilet may result from a collapsed section of the sewer line instead of being the result of someone flushing something down your toilet drain.

Complex plumbing problems in your home ultimately lead to worse issues like structural problems. Examples of these kinds of problems include mineral deposits in water lines, persistent drain issues, silent leaks within walls/flooring, and many more.

Because they don’t come with clear signs, these problems force you to waste time and money. How do you deal with complex plumbing issues in your home? When you don’t know what is wrong with your plumbing, one of our professional plumbers can help you.

How Chicago Plumbing Experts detect and fix complex plumbing issues in your home

When our plumber first arrives at your home, they may not know the exact cause of the plumbing problems. Even if they can make an educated guess based on experience and the information you give them, they still have to take definite steps to diagnose the problem.

Depending on the kind of problem, these steps will include at least one of the following:

  1. Conversation with the homeowner

Just like when you visit a doctor, your plumber wants to get as much info as possible about the problem. When did you first notice the issue? How long has it been going on? What steps have you taken to solve it? Detailed firsthand information helps our plumber narrow down the list of the potential causes of the problem.

  1. Visual inspection

This doesn’t involve the use of specialized tools. The plumber wants to get their eyes on your plumbing system. They will conduct a superficial – surface level – inspection of drains, toilets, sinks, exposed pipes, and other accessible parts of the plumbing. This step helps our plumbers make better sense of what you have told them, and they can get clues on where to focus attention.

For a more in-depth look at the plumbing, our plumber will use some of the tools described below:

  1. Infrared detection: Infrared cameras detect temperature differences beneath hard surfaces. Because the camera can sense the unique heat signature of moisture, it is used to detect hidden leaks within walls and flooring. In addition to leaks, it can pick up the thermal patterns that indicate some other kind of plumbing issue. Infrared technology allows for non-invasive leak detection. So you don’t have to break your wall to inspect your pipes.
  1. Sewer camera inspection: This specialized camera is used to inspect the interior of sewer pipes and underground drainage pipes. The waterproof camera is inserted into the blocked or damaged pipe, and it sends back a high-resolution video of the inside of the pipe as it travels through the line. The plumber can then scrutinize the image to detect the problems in the line.
  1. Moisture meters and moisture sensors: Moisture detection equipment either shows a numerical readout or emits an audible beep to indicate elevated moisture levels in drywall, insulation, carpet, subflooring, wood, concrete, etc. Non-penetrating meters are used where the surface cannot be damaged. There is a wide range of moisture detection devices for different types of surfaces and plumbing problems.
  1. Gas leak detectors: These are used to detect the presence of flammable gases –  methane, propane, and butane – in the air. They are used in homes with gas water heaters, where there is a chance that the gas line is leaking or the system is not venting properly. Gas leaks can be life-threatening if they happen in an enclosed space. Sometimes, the presence of gas is undetectable except with a gas leak detector.
  1. Water analysis: This helps to detect water quality issues in your home; it can reveal the presence of soil and minerals in your water. If your water is discolored, water analysis helps the plumber determine if it is due to rust or because soil is making its way into the pipe through a leak. Water analysis is also used to uncover the root causes of low water pressure in homes.

To conclude, most homeowners can recognize problems that affect their home’s water supply or the function of their plumbing. However, just because they can recognize these problems does not mean they understand them.

Many times, when homeowners think they are solving a plumbing issue in their home, they are only addressing the symptoms. Our professional plumbers can diagnose and solve plumbing issues in your home, helping to stop the problem from escalating.

5 Most Common Plumbing Problems in Chicago

5 Most Common Plumbing Problems in ChicagoEvery home needs water. We need water for cooking, cleaning, and personal sanitation. It would be impossible to live in a modern home without water running inside its structures. But to have access to that water, you need a system to deliver clean water to the house and take away the dirty water. That is what the plumbing system in your home does.

A home’s plumbing system consists of hundreds of feet of pipes with valves, connections, and other components. It is one of the most complicated and most used systems in the home. As a result, problems with the plumbing system are among the most common issues homeowners in Chicago encounter. 

Plumbing problems are one of Chicago homeowners’ biggest issues because:

  • They are hard to detect: The typical way homeowners discover an issue with their plumbing is when the water supply stops or water goes where it is not supposed to. But before the problem goes that far, it will show subtle signs that go undetected. 
  • They cost a lot of money to fix: Plumbing issues often cost a lot of money to repair. That is not because of the cost of fixing the damaged components. Instead, it is due to the cost of repairing the damage the issue has done to the surrounding areas.

That is why plumbing problems are best discovered early and solved on time. Finding a problem before it causes damage to the structures of your home can save you hundreds of thousands of dollars, says Income Realty Corporation. To do this, you need to know the common plumbing problems you are likely to face in your Chicago home and what you can do to solve them.

Five most common plumbing problems in Chicago homes

These five problems top the list of plumbing issues occurring in Chicago homes.

Drain clogs

A drain clog is a common occurrence in the home, and it can happen in different parts of the plumbing system. Drains get clogged when an item or material obstructs drain pipes. That occurs in the kitchen sink or bathroom drain. Drain clogs can be minor issues requiring a few minutes to solve, or they can be leading problems that require special equipment and lots of time. You can clear most clogs by using a plunger, drain snake, or running the disposal unit. If these DIY solutions don’t work, it will be necessary to contact your local Chicago plumber.

Frozen pipes

Water has the odd behavior of expanding when it freezes. That can be a problem for your plumbing system. Frozen water inside pipes will not only cut off your water supply, but it can also cause the pipes to rupture. It takes only a few hours of below-freezing temperatures for pipes to freeze. The best way to keep pipes from freezing is to install PEX pipes in the home or take precautionary steps to keep water flowing through the pipes. If you find that the pipes in your home are frozen, the best solution is to call a plumber who specializes in repairing burst pipes.

Water leaks

Leaks are another major issue. This problem results from the highly mobile nature of water and its corrosive powers. Over time water will erode any material it is flowing. Water also carries particles and chemical substances that get deposited inside pipes. These two effects can result in pipes bursting or wearing out, causing leaks. Water leaks also happen when water pressure is too high or frozen pipes thaw out. Leaks are a crucial problem because they often occur inside the walls and damage your property. The best way to prevent leaks is to inspect the plumbing system regularly and install a leak-detection system.

Water heater issues

Water heater malfunctions are among the most annoying plumbing problems; think what it feels like to get cold water dumped on you when trying to take a warm shower in the morning. Water heater issues will also deny you access to warm water for washing dishes and clothes. Several issues can cause water heater malfunctions, leaks, water hardness issues, and faulty components. The best way to prevent issues with the water heater is to be aware of its life expectancy and know the telltale signs of problems with the equipment. Water heater issues should never be DIYed; always call your plumber if you are in need of a water heater replacement.

Sewer line problems

Sewer lines carry wastewater out of your home into the municipal sewers. Problems with the sewer line are not only frustrating and disgusting, but they are also potential health hazards. They will expose you to unsanitary materials that can harm your health. The most common sewer line problems you are likely to face are clogs and leaks. These are due to several issues: flushing prohibited items down the drains, old and worn pipes, or damage from tree roots. If you think you need a sewer line repair service, contact a professional plumber at once.