Plumbing Troubleshooting: What Do The Sounds And Smells Mean?
When it comes to your commercial property's plumbing system, there are many signs that you need to perform repairs or call a professional. Once of the first things you might notice is that you hear odd sounds or smell a foul odor. Here are ways to troubleshoot your plumbing system based on the different sounds or smells you are experiencing.
Smells
The first thing to pay attention to with your property's plumbing system is what you smell. Foul odors that occur after using the plumbing in your commercial building may be the very first sign that something is wrong. Here are some common types of smells and what it might mean:
Mold – If you smell mold or mildew, it is usually the result of extra moisture. The most common reason for mold from moisture is due to a leak. The leak might be so minor you haven't seen it, such as being underneath of the bathroom sinks. If you don't check under the sink often, the leak could be causing slow drips of water you didn't notice. Over time, the water causes mold and mildew to develop, which you might smell before you notice the damage.
Sewer gas – Another smell to be aware of is sewer gas. It is slightly different from the natural gas smell, as you don't just smell gas on its own, but a pungent odor of sewer waste along with it. When you smell this, it is a bad sign and you need to call an emergency plumber. They will come out right away to check if any of the sewer gas is leaking into your home. You should have a drain trap that covers the sewer line, but if it corroded, gas might be leaking through the trap.
Gas or propane – Another emergency related to gas is if you smell gas or propane. Natural gas smells are most likely not a stranger to you. You probably have smelled gas before, so you know what to look for. You should never take the smell of gas lightly. A gas leak can be very dangerous. Call a plumber or the gas company immediately.
Sounds
There are also a variety of sounds you might hear that could indicate a problem with your plumbing system. Call a professional plumber if you hear any of these sounds:
Dripping water – If you are checking your reflection in the bathroom mirror and hear light drips of water, whether they are slow or fast drips, you need to call a professional. Hearing dripping is often an issue with the plumbing. The drips could gradually get worse and cause a major leak or other plumbing problems. It is best to call a professional at the very first sign of dripping water.
Running water – Running water when no plumbing fixtures are turned on is a more serious problem than water dripping. If you hear running water, walk through all the bathrooms, kitchens, and other plumbing areas of your building. If you can't find the source, call a plumber, such as Cool Air Mechanical, Inc., right away. They will come out to investigate your property and figure out where the running water is coming from. It is usually from a leak that needs to be repaired.