How to Troubleshoot Sounds and Smells of Your Plumbing System

When you have issues with your home's plumbing system, it is not always as simple as an obvious clog or a visible leak. Sometimes, you need to rely on your other senses to notice when there is a problem. It is possible that your plumbing system is giving off a number of different sounds and smells that tell you something is wrong.

Sound: Dripping Water

When people hear the sound of dripping water in their plumbing fixtures, it is often ignored until a big leak or puddle is found. Unfortunately, if you wait too long, you have now caused the situation to worsen and will be paying more for repairs. Those little drips are not normal and not something you should ignore. You can call a plumber as soon as you hear the dripping water in your sink and shower to get the fixtures tightened or leaks fixed before it becomes a major problem. When you hear dripping water, try to narrow it down to find out where the drip is coming from, and then call a professional.

Smell: Sewer Odour

Among the different odours you might smell with your plumbing system, one of the more serious is a sewer smell. If you smell this type of odour, it often goes beyond just having a clogged drain or minor plumbing issue. This is often due to a main sewer line issue or septic tank problem if you use a septic system in your home. A sewer smell is typically much stronger than other odours, in case you have not experienced this type of smell before. If you smell a strong odour, contact a plumber, as you should not work on the main sewer line on your own. Another sign of having a sewer problem is seeing sewage and waste come up the drains in your home.

Sound: Banging or Hammering Noises

If you turn on a faucet or the shower in your home and you hear banging or hammering noises in the pipes, it could be due to a few issues. The first is having plumbing pipes that are coming loose from their location. This might require a plumbing professional to inspect the entire system in the walls and fasten whatever is coming loose. You might also hear similar sounds if the water is moving along with high amounts of pressure through the pipes, which is often caused from water pressure being on too high. The noises might also be from the pipes shaking, which can be assessed and repaired by a plumbing professional.

For more information, contact Haig & Menzel Contractors Pty Ltd or a similar company.