What Is A Plumbing Emergency?
There may come a time when you experience a plumbing emergency, so it’s important to know how to handle the situation. When you think about a plumbing emergency I’m sure a few things come to mind, but let’s start by exploring some of the most common plumbing emergencies that we encounter.
- An overflowing toilet. A plunger is the go-to fix for a clogged toilet and may prevent the toilet from overflowing It does not, however, address the underlying cause of the backed-up toilet. If your toilet is overflowing, it is not recommended to use a plunger until the cause is identified.
- Severely clogged sink drains prevent the flow of water and lead to an even bigger plumbing emergency. We do not recommend chemical drain cleaners. If you try chemical drain cleaning alternatives and they are not successful in clearing the clog, it is recommended to contact your local plumber to safely clear it. You can some alternative drain cleaning methods here
- Burst pipes. This is a very big plumbing emergency and occurs when water pressure builds up significantly in a weak joint of a pipe. When a pipe bursts, a loud popping sound typically occurs, but most homeowners fail to hear it. If you do hear a popping sound, call your plumber immediately. Burst pipes can cause extensive water damage, so the earlier it is caught, the better.
- Faucet or pipe leak. Leaks should be addressed by a plumber for many reasons. A leak can cause your water bill to rise significantly. Water damage that can occur from a leak can be very costly. Standing water can cause your pipes to rust and can lead to mold growth within.
- Water heater problems. There are many warning signs that you may have an issue with your water heater. Is your water discolored? Is your water smelling bad? Is your water only cold or extremely hot? If your water is extremely hot, your water heater may have overheated and you should turn off the water heater and contact a plumber.
- Frozen pipes. The first thing to do if your pipes freeze is to go take a look at the pipe and assess for any damage. If you see that damage has occurred, contact a plumber. If you do not see any damage you can start to thaw the pipe with a hairdryer on low heat. You want to make sure that you thaw the entire pipe and not just a portion of it. It is not advised to use any sort of open flame to try to thaw a pipe.
5 Steps To Take During A Plumbing Emergency
- The first thing you should do when experiencing a plumbing emergency is shut off the closest water source immediately.
- Then you should turn off the water heater.
- Find and address any smaller leaks in the area.
- Open drains and spigots outside of the home.
- Call your plumber and follow their recommendations.
How to Prevent a Plumbing Emergency
Most of the plumbing emergencies that occur can be prevented. Problems typically arise suddenly, but they’re often the result of long-term abuse, lack of maintenance, or improper repairs.
Here are some very important ways to prevent a future plumbing emergency.
- Make sure to perform routine plumbing maintenance
- Quickly address slow clearing drains
- Call a licensed professional to handle any repairs that you’re not familiar with or comfortable performing.
Donovan WaterWorks Is Here For You
If you experience a plumbing emergency don’t hesitate to contact us
We are available for all your plumbing needs, 24/7. In the event of an emergency, we will quickly diagnose and resolve any problem while keeping you fully informed and involved during the process.
