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It is generally recommended to schedule a professional plumbing inspection annually for an average home. However, the ideal frequency can vary. Newer homes may only require an inspection every two years, while older homes, or those with a history of plumbing problems, benefit from more frequent annual checkups. Other factors that might necessitate more frequent inspections include having hard water or mature trees on your property with extensive root systems that could damage sewer and water lines. Regular maintenance helps identify potential issues early, preventing costly repairs, and typically includes checking for leaks, inspecting connections, and ensuring pipes and fixtures are in good working condition to extend the life of your plumbing system.

It depends on where the leak is coming from as well as your ability to stop it until a plumber is able to come over and permanently fix the problem. If the leak is under your sink or coming from a drippy showerhead and you can avoid using the fixture until your plumber arrives, this wouldn’t be considered a major issue. If you notice any water damage on your walls or other signs of a major leak, you should call an emergency plumber ASAP.

If you're dealing with a clogged sink drain, you may be able to avoid removing the drain by using a plunger to dislodge the clog. While we associate plungers with toilets, they can do the same job with your sink drain. Be gentle, though, as forceful movements can push clogs further into your plumbing system and make them more difficult to remove. Additionally, make sure you’re using a sink plunger—with a flat bottom—and not a toilet plunger—which has a smaller bottom protruding from the larger flat piece.

Signs that your shower valve has gone bad include a variety of issues with water flow and temperature. Common symptoms are low water pressure, inconsistent water temperature, and dripping or leaking from the handle or showerhead when the water is off. You might also notice that the knob is difficult to turn or won't turn at all. Another key indicator of a bad diverter valve is water coming from both the tub spout and the showerhead simultaneously, or being unable to switch the water flow between the two fixtures. In advanced cases, the water may not turn on at all. These are all signs that the valve may need to be replaced.