Your home’s plumbing system is essential for daily life. It delivers clean water for your use and safely removes wastewater, helping keep you healthy and comfortable year-round. Because of its importance, it’s a good idea to understand how it works. Below are the four most common questions homeowners ask about their plumbing systems, along with helpful answers.
1. Why Is My Water Cloudy?
If your tap or shower water appears cloudy or milky, it could be due to contaminants in the water. This cloudiness is often caused by tiny particles like dirt or debris suspended in the water. If the water also has a foul smell, especially like rotten eggs, it might contain hydrogen sulfide gas produced by anaerobic bacteria thriving in oxygen-poor areas of your plumbing.
Another common cause of cloudy water is trapped air bubbles inside your pipes, which often happen during cold weather when temperature and pressure changes create bubbles.
To clear suspended particles, installing a water filtration system can help. Sediment filters trap sand, rust, silt, and clay, while water softeners reduce limescale buildup, stains, and odors.
If bacteria are the problem, treatment options include ultraviolet purification, mechanical or adsorptive filtration, and disinfection using chlorine or chloramine. It’s best to have a plumber test your water and recommend the appropriate solution.
2. Why Is My Water Bill so High?
Monitoring your water bill closely can help you catch problems early. A sudden increase in your bill could indicate leaks in taps, toilets, or pipes. Overusing water, like frequent long showers or excessive lawn watering, can also cause high bills.
Leaks can cause serious damage, including mold growth, structural issues, electrical hazards if water reaches wiring, health risks, and damage to belongings. If you suspect a leak, turn off your water and electricity, then call a professional plumber to locate and fix the issue.
3. Why Does My Home Make Strange Plumbing Noises?
If you notice rattling sounds when using faucets or appliances, it’s likely that some pipes are loose. The pressure from running water causes them to vibrate and knock against walls or other structures. Securing these pipes with clamps or brackets can reduce movement and stop the noise.
Banging or knocking noises are often caused by a phenomenon called water hammer. This happens when fast-moving water suddenly stops, creating a shockwave in the pipes. To prevent water hammer, try turning off taps slowly, or have a plumber install water hammer arrestors in your system.
Gurgling sounds, especially after flushing the toilet, usually indicate that your sewer drain line is backing up. This is a sign of a blockage and should be addressed promptly to avoid more serious plumbing problems.
4. How Can I Prevent My Pipes From Freezing?
During winter, water inside pipes can freeze and expand, causing pipes to burst. To prevent this, never turn off your heating system completely, even if you’re away. Set your thermostat to at least 55°F (12.8°C) to keep indoor pipes warm enough.
Insulating your pipes, especially those in unheated areas like attics, basements, crawl spaces, or garages, is also important. Insulation helps maintain the pipe temperature closer to that of the water inside. For extra protection, consider using heat tape—an electric heating cable that wraps around pipes to provide warmth.
Another helpful tip is to let your faucets drip slowly during very cold weather. Moving water is less likely to freeze, though this may slightly increase your water bill—a small cost compared to replacing burst pipes.
Finally, make sure your home is well-insulated overall. Seal drafts, keep doors and windows closed, and open cabinet doors or attic hatches to allow warm air to circulate around exposed pipes.
Get Expert Plumbing Help from BP Plumbing
For reliable plumbing care and advice in Chattanooga, TN, turn to BP Plumbing. Our skilled professionals handle everything from routine inspections, repairs, and replacements to specialized services like water filtration system installation and gas line maintenance. Contact us today for all your plumbing needs.
