Plumbers get called out for a variety of reasons to help people with their different problems. Water pipes, faucets, tubs, toilets, and sinks are a fact of life you don’t tend to think about until there’s a problem, and when you have a plumbing issue, you want it fixed right away. The typical homeowner needs a plumber once every three years or so. Read on to discover the eight most common reasons to call in a plumber.

1. Dripping Faucets

A dripping faucet might just seem like a minor annoyance, but if you add up all the lost water, you could save a lot of money on your water bill if you fix the problem sooner than later. As soon as you notice a dripping faucet, you need to address the problem, either on your own or with a call in to the plumber.

2. Clogged or Slow Drains

Drain cleaner doesn’t always work so if you have a slow or clogged drain, you should call a plumber to see what’s causing the problem. Sometimes there’s a solid mass blocking the pipe that needs to be cleaned out before the water will drain properly again.

3. Leaky Pipes

Keep an eye out for wet spots on your ceiling or on the floor, which could indicate a leaky pipe. Pipes can leak from a variety of reasons and it’s best to have them looked at as soon as possible.

4. Running Toilets

A toilet that stays running can very easily waste up to 200 gallons of water a day! This is definitely a problem that needs immediate attention.

Note: While we are on the subject of toilets, do not flush “flushable wipes” since they don’t actually break down as they’re supposed to and are a major cause of blocked pipes.

5. Water Heater Leaks or Problems

If you get up in the morning and discover you only have cold water, there’s a good chance your water heater needs to be serviced or replaced. The average water heaters lasts between eight and 12 years. Leaks become typical the older the unit gets.

6. Low Water Pressure

Sometimes you install a new shower head and only get low water pressure. Other times a hidden leak can cause the lack of pressure. No matter the reason, a plumber can diagnose and repair the problem. You also have the option to install a booster pump that will help keep a consistent water pressure throughout the whole house.

7. Leaking Hose Bibb

One hard freeze can damage your hose bibb, which is the outside spigot you connect to for your exterior water supply. In the winter, you need to turn off the water to the hose bibb before it gets too cold. This will prevent damage and flooding when the temperatures go below freezing. One option to prevent freezing is to have a frost-proof sillcock installed.

8. Burst Pipes

As mentioned above, freezing temperatures can lead to frozen and burst pipes, which happens when the water inside the pipes freezes and expands too much for the pipe to hold. This results in varying amounts of water to end up in your home where you definitely do not want it. The best thing to do is to turn off the main water supply to your home (and the electricity, if necessary) and start bailing the water out while you wait for the plumber to arrive. Make sure to take photos for insurance purposes before you start the cleanup efforts.