Plumbing emergencies are one of the most exasperating elements of owning a home. They are not only inconvenient, but they also have the potential to cause structural damage to your property! Many individuals have plumbing crises late at night, early in the morning, or on weekends when many plumbing businesses do not provide service calls.
What exactly are plumbing emergencies? Many plumbing problems, such as a blocked drain or a toilet overflow, may be handled with common home items. Other problems, like leaks or sewage blockages, need the intervention of an experienced plumber!
Top Plumbing Emergencies That Need the Help of a Plumber
A Blocked Drain That Can Not Be Cleared With An Auger
There are few things more aggravating than a blocked drain. A blockage in your sink or shower drain might be difficult to remove.
Before you get a plumber to unclog your drain, try a few DIY methods first. You may save money on a plumber’s appointment by employing chemical drain cleaners, a sink plunger, or a sink drain auger.
If you’ve done everything and still can’t get your drain to work correctly, it’s time to call a professional plumber to unclog your drains.
A Toilet That Is Overflowing And Can Not Be Plunged
The dreaded overflowing toilet. This typical plumbing problem, which often occurs due to a blockage in your toilet, not only makes a mess but may also cause major damage to your home’s flooring.
If your toilet starts to overflow, you should first switch off the water supply. A supply line is usually located towards the bottom of the toilet. A valve should be installed on this line. To halt the water flow to the toilet, turn the valve counterclockwise.
Remove the tank lid next. Raise the float cup or ball high enough to stop the toilet from running. If the water continues to flow, switch off the house’s water supply.
The water supply to your house is often controlled by a valve or knob in the basement or near the water heater. Turn this knob or valve until the water comes to a halt. If the running water is caused by a blockage rather than a sewage backup, turning off the water supply to your house removes the immediate issue. Using a toilet plunger will aid in the removal of the obstruction.
Remove any extra water from the bowl’s brim using a small cup or a bucket. Fill a sink (if the water is clean) or a plastic bucket halfway with water (if the water is dirty).
When the source of the overflow has been identified, and the water has been restored, pour the unclean water back into the toilet and flush it once more for safe disposal.
If you can’t figure out what’s causing the overflow or can’t fix it right away, call a plumber. It would be best if you acted promptly to avoid more damage to your property.
A Broken Pipe Or A Water Leak
A busted pipe or a water leak may wreak havoc on your house or company instantly. Leaks cause a wide range of damage, including mold, mildew, wood rot, etc. Call an emergency plumber once you see a water leak to avoid long-term damage to your home or pocketbook.
Water that does not appear as it should, puddles accumulating beneath sinks, vibrations from the pipes, unpredictable water pressure, and increasing utility expenditures are all indicators of burst pipes.
No Hot Water
If the water does not heat up, you may have an issue with your water heater. Water heaters are classified into two types: gas and electric. If you are still determining the sort of water heater you have, look for a few wires feeding into a little module on the side. You’ll know you have an electric water heater if you see cables.
If your water heater is gas-powered, it will have a tiny module connected by a pipe or hose. Once you have that information, you may begin troubleshooting.
You may need to change the thermostat using the knob on the heater itself to restore hot water to your house. This is an easy remedy that should be addressed. Displaced wiring or a separate gas line are other things to check for.
If you’ve tried to adjust the thermostat and checked for any loose wires or gas lines, you may have an issue with the water heater’s heating element. This is a far more difficult issue to identify and resolve. If you suspect a problem with your water heater, hiring a plumber will save you time and money.
Reduced Water Pressure
A variety of factors may cause a reduction in water pressure. You can’t operate the washing machine, clean your dishes, or even bathe effectively if you don’t have enough water pressure! Contacting a specialist to repair your water pressure concerns can save you time and hassle.
Sewer Backup
If you see indicators of a sewage backup, you have a major plumbing problem. Despite your best efforts, your drains are all flowing slowly. If you’ve tried all the DIY unclogging solutions and still can’t find a solution, it’s most likely due to a blockage in your sewer system.
Examine your yard to see if you could locate the sewer cleanout line. The sewage cleanout line is typically a short, white pipe with a screw-on cap 3 to 4 inches in diameter. Remove the cap after you’ve located the cleanout line. This should relieve the pressure in the sewage system and force any backed-up water inside your house to drain.
However, if you attempt to relieve the pressure in the sewage line without finding a solution, or if you do not want to meddle with such a messy operation, you can always call your local plumber.
DIY Gone Wrong
DIY projects are a fantastic way to acquire new skills while saving money. However, many individuals who try do-it-yourself plumbing improvements wind up spending more money in the long run.
Most plumbing repair is much more complicated than it seems. Missing a stage in the procedure or failing to perform a critical repair might significantly harm your house!
Before you make a DIY mistake, call an emergency plumber, like us at Shelton Plumbing, to address your plumbing emergencies. You’ll save both time and money by doing so!
If you have previously tried a DIY plumbing job that did not go as planned, reach out to us to check on the progress of your project. This helps avoid a future plumbing crisis.
Leaks In The Dishwasher
If your dishwasher is leaking because it’s overflowed, the water entry valve might be the source of the problem. The water intake valve allows water to enter the dishwasher from your home’s water line. Water may escape from your dishwasher if this valve is malfunctioning or broken.
Take off the bottom plate on the front of your dishwasher (where the water intake valve is generally placed) and check the valve to determine if it leaks. A leak will normally appear as a gradual trickle from the top of the valve.
Examine the valve for any hard water substance or corrosion. If you discover the water valve is leaking, immediately turn off the water supply and replace the valve. As this process may rapidly get complex, consider hiring a professional plumber.
Blocked Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposal is a handy appliance that lets you dispose of food waste down your kitchen sink’s drain. Garbage disposals are not installed in every house, and those that have are less likely to have blocked kitchen sinks. However, waste disposal might get clogged from time to time.
Non-organic trash, running the disposal without water, or grinding tough and fibrous items like corn husks or potato skins are common causes of clogged garbage disposals. If your garbage disposal is no longer grinding food, won’t turn on, or produces strange noises when turned on, you should have an emergency plumber examine it.
Gas Line Issues
Many people need to remember that plumbers can also repair gas service lines and water lines. If you discover a leak in your gas line, call an emergency plumber to repair it before it does any damage. A gas leak may harm your health and your house’s structure.
Sump Pump Problems
You most likely have a sump pump if you have a basement or crawl area. The sump pump is a device that helps keep your house from flooding during heavy rains. Because basements and crawl spaces are often below ground level, they are particularly vulnerable to flooding. If your sump pump malfunctions during a storm, your house may flood. It may also need costly repairs. If you expect rain, contact a plumber immediately.
When Should I Call A Plumbing Company?
Waiting too long to call a professional is among the most common blunders people make when they have plumbing emergencies. While there’s much to be said about trying do-it-yourself repairs, certain circumstances need professional help.
If you wait too long to hire an expert, your property may sustain significant water damage. As a result, mold, mildew, and other associated conditions may represent a health danger to you and your family.
Our plumbing professionals here at Shelton Plumbing are trained and experienced in handling plumbing emergencies. We’ll get your plumbing back up and running in no time! Please reach out to us today!