When to Call a Pro: 5 Signs of Plumbing Trouble in Your Home

These are just a few signs you shouldn’t ignore—and when it’s time to get MACA Plumbing involved before things get worse

Owning a home means you’re always going to deal with little surprises. But plumbing? That shouldn’t be one of them. From that mysterious drip you hear at night to pipes that sound like they’re having a group meeting in the walls, the signs of plumbing trouble usually show up long before anything actually bursts.

The good news? If you catch them in time, you can avoid a ton of heartache, mess, and repair costs. I’m going to walk you through five warning signs you need to take seriously—and why calling MACA Plumbing sooner rather than later could be the best move you make all year. Whether you're in a newly built house or a home that’s seen a few decades, these signs are worth paying attention to.

1. Persistent Slow Drains

You know the feeling. The sink or shower just isn’t draining like it used to. You figure it’s probably hair, maybe a little soap buildup, or even some food scraps if it’s the kitchen. You give it a good plunge or dump in some store-bought drain cleaner—and for a day or two, it seems like it’s working. Until it isn’t.

Why It Matters

When a drain keeps slowing down, even after you’ve already tried to fix it a few times, there’s usually a deeper problem. Maybe it’s gunk further down the pipe, or grease buildup. Sometimes it’s even tree roots in your sewer line—yes, seriously.

From the Job Site:

One of our customers had been dealing with a slow bathroom sink for months. She tried boiling water, baking soda and vinegar—every trick in the book. She finally called us, and it turned out the clog was way down in the pipe. Our drain cleaning team got in there and flushed out years of buildup.

If you're reaching for the plunger every week, it's time to bring in a pro.

2. Low Water Pressure That Doesn’t Make Sense

This isn’t just weak water flow. It’s that weird moment when you turn on the shower expecting a strong stream and instead get a sad little drizzle. You didn’t touch the valve, didn’t change the head, but something’s definitely off.

What It Could Be

• A hidden pipe leak behind the wall

• Sediment clogging up your lines

• A partially shut or blocked valve

• Or even an issue coming from the city supply

  
  

A True Story:

We had a homeowner call us about their shower barely working. At first, they thought the showerhead needed to be replaced. But we found a small crack in the pipe behind the drywall. It had been leaking for days and mold was already starting to grow. Our plumbing repair crew caught it before it turned into a tear-out-the-wall kind of job.

Bottom line: If the water pressure changes for no reason, don’t ignore it.

3. Weird Sounds Coming From the Pipes

When your pipes start making noise, that’s your plumbing trying to tell you something. Banging. Whistling. Gurgling. Bubbling. It’s easy to brush off, but it's usually not just “one of those things.”

What Those Sounds Mean

• Banging: Probably “water hammer”—when water stops suddenly and slams around in the pipes.

• Gurgling: Usually air trapped because of a clog or a vent problem.

• Whistling: A partially closed valve or sediment getting in the way.

  
  

From the Field:

We got a call from a customer who said their laundry room “sounded haunted.” Not kidding. Turned out, the washing machine’s shutoff valve was failing, and it was messing with the water pressure so bad the pipes were rattling. We swapped it out, and the house went silent again.

If your pipes are acting like they’re alive, schedule an inspection. We’ll listen and figure out what’s going on.

4. Water That Looks or Smells Off

If your tap water suddenly looks cloudy, rusty, or smells weird—like rotten eggs—it’s time to stop and pay attention. Don't just assume it's a city issue.

What Might Be Causing It

• Old, corroded pipes (especially in older homes)

• Bacteria in your water heater

• Sewer line damage or backflow

  
  

Why It’s Not Just Gross

This can actually be dangerous. Water that smells or looks off could be carrying things you don’t want near your family—iron, manganese, or bacteria. Especially if your water heater hasn’t been flushed in years.

One Case We Saw:

There was a family who had been dealing with foul-smelling hot water for months. They thought it was just their old water heater. We came in, did a full water heater flush, and cleared out years of buildup. After that, the smell disappeared and their water was back to normal.

Moral of the story: Bad water = time to call a pro.

5. Water Stains, Damp Patches, or Mold

Sometimes you don’t see a drip—but your ceiling, wall, or floor will let you know something's wrong. If you’re spotting stains, peeling paint, soft spots, or smelling mildew, don’t just spray air freshener and move on.

Where to Look

• Under sinks

• Around baseboards

• On ceilings below bathrooms

• Inside cabinets

  
  

Why It’s Urgent

Water that’s left to sit is a mold magnet. It also rots wood and can mess with your home’s structure. And if you just patch up a stain with paint without finding the cause, it’ll be back.

A Job That Got Expensive Fast:

One customer painted over a stain on their ceiling several times over the course of a year. Finally, they called us. When we opened up the drywall, the leak had already rotted part of the ceiling joist. That little spot turned into a much bigger fix.

Don’t guess. Call MACA Plumbing and we’ll track down the source.

What Happens If You Wait Too Long

Plumbing issues don’t usually start with a bang. They start small—a slow drain, a strange smell, or a damp spot—and they get worse when you don’t deal with them.

Here’s What You’re Risking:

• Higher water bills from hidden leaks

• Mold cleanup costs

• Ruined floors, cabinets, or drywall

• Late-night emergency repairs

• Health problems from bad water or air quality

Should You Fix It Yourself?

There’s no shame in trying. You can plunge a toilet, tighten a loose faucet, maybe clear a small clog. But when it keeps coming back—or when it just doesn’t feel right—it’s time to call someone who does this every day.

Why People Trust MACA Plumbing

• We know the plumbing systems in this area like the back of our hand.

• Licensed, insured, and background-checked plumbers.

• Same-day appointments available.

• Honest pricing—no surprises.

• We don’t upsell. We just fix what’s wrong.

Final Thoughts

Plumbing problems don’t fix themselves. They get worse. If your home’s giving you even one of these red flags, don’t brush it off. You could be one quick phone call away from saving your house from a real disaster.

Need help today? Call MACA Plumbing and let’s get it handled—before it gets out of hand.