When you have a plumbing emergency, it needs to get resolved as quickly as possible. Some emergencies can result in danger to your family and serious damage to your property. This article discusses the most common plumbing emergencies people face.
Leaky Faucets
Leaky faucets are incredibly common. While a leaky faucet may not seem to be an emergency right away, it needs to fixed as soon as possible. A leaky faucet can cause mold to grow and metal to rust. Even a slow leak can result in very high water bills.
Just like most things, parts of a faucet wear out over time. The five main causes of a leaky faucet are a broken washer, damaged cartridge, broken O-ring, worn valve seat and water pressure that is too high. You can probably fix this problem yourself if you have time and experience for it, but otherwise a plumber can do it for you.
Sewer Backup
If a clog develops in your sewer line, sewage can back up into your home. This is a dangerous situation as raw sewage can cause many health problems. If you see sewage in your bathroom or in your kitchen sink, call a plumber immediately. In the meantime, look for the plumbing cleanout in your yard and remove its cap so the sewage empties there instead of inside your home.
Clogged Sink
A clogged sink is a very common plumbing problem. A minor clog will just cause a sink to slowly drain. If there’s a major clog, the sink can’t drain at all. This can prevent you from performing everyday tasks like cooking and basic hygiene.
Clogged Toilet
A clogged toilet can quickly become an emergency. This problem is often caused by flushing inappropriate things, such as diapers, feminine hygiene products, paper towels and toys. Signs there’s a clog include the toilet refusing to flush, overflowing or there’s a high level of water that won’t go down.
The first thing to do is use a plunger on your toilet. If this doesn’t work, you may be able to remove the clog using a plumbing snake. You can buy one of these at any home improvement store. If neither of these work, you need a plumber to resolve the problem.
Gas Leak
If your carbon monoxide detectors go off, you’re facing a life and death situation that needs immediate attention. If you smell gas in your kitchen, pull your oven away from the wall and close the gas shutoff valve. Your furnace and water heater also have gas shutoff valves.
Sump Pump Malfunction
Sump pumps are designed to keep your crawlspace or basement dry. It they are not functioning properly you’ll have mold and mildew growing in the lower level. This of course presents a family health problem If you encounter moisture in your basement, call a plumber right away. They will inspect the Sump Pumps and determine what is required.
If you still smell gas, shut off the gas to your entire home. Be prepared for this by knowing where the main gas shutoff valve is. It’s usually outside your home where the gas lines enter it. Your next step is to call a plumber that has emergency services.
Leaking Water Heater
Old water heaters often develop drips and leaks. A puddle of water under your water heater is a major sign you have a serious problem on your hands. Depending on what the problem is, the water heater can either be repaired or it needs to be replaced. Don’t put off having this problem solved, as the leak can quickly develop into a torrent of water that damages your home and property.
Burst Pipe
Pipes can burst for many reasons. Perhaps the pressure inside one is too large because of a heavy rain. Or the water inside has frozen during a cold snap. The pipe may just be old and worn out.
Water flowing out from a burst pipe can cause serious damage to your home and property. If you see a wet spot on a ceiling or wall, or your water bill is suddenly really high, contact a plumber with emergency services.
No Hot Water
If you have no hot water, you’re not going to want to take a shower unless you’re okay with it being freezing cold. A lack of hot water can be caused by your water heater, an electrical problem or a cracked pipe. As with other plumbing emergencies, you need a professional to handle this.
Twin Peaks Plumbing, Heating & Gas in Nanaimo, BC, can help you with sewage backup and other plumbing emergencies. We’ve been helping families on Vancouver Island for nearly 20 years. We can handle any plumbing issue such as pipe repair, leak detection, water heaters, faucets, sump pumps and sewers. We also provide a full range of services for furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, boilers, ductless mini splits and in-floor heating. Find out how we can help you by giving us a call today!
