5 of the Top Common Residential Plumbing Emergencies
The most common plumbing situations that people call plumbers for include drain clogs, broken pipes, and gas leaks. These residential plumbing issues can be prevented right from the start. Certainly, emergency plumbers will tell you that negligence in plumbing is the number one cause for problems like drain obstructions and defective pipes.
It is clear that people value their cars over their homes. Why is this? It is because people tend to service their cars regularly but when it comes to plumbing the task is put off. At least it goes unattended to until a dreaded plumbing emergency arrives. At this point, it is usually too late to do anything to lighten the damage that has been done.
Preventative maintenance to a plumbing system on a routine basis will keep all fixtures, drains, and pipes in great shape for a long time. It will also allow you to detect problems early before they escalate to full-blown plumbing emergencies. When you are faced with an emergency plumbing problem there are a few things you can do to reduce the damage and cut down the plumbing costs.
Follow These Top 5 Emergency Plumbing Problems and Their Repairs:
1 – Burst Pipes:
The first job is to stop the water from flowing out of the burst pipe. Find the main shut off valve to your home and close it. This will stop the water from flooding the home and will protect your fixtures until the plumber arrives. Turn the cold water taps on so you can tap the drains from any trapped water. Once the plumber arrives, they will be able to repair or replace the broken pipe.
2 – Frozen Pipes:
When the water in pipes freezes the pipes expand and can burst the pipe. When this happens, shut off the main water supply. If the pipes have not burst yet, use hot water bottles from the pipe to the tap to thaw them out. Make sure to thaw gently. Never use a flame to speed the thawing up. This can cause too much expansion and can damage the pipes. Take preventative care and have your pipes insulated properly before the cold months set in.
3 – Leaky Fixtures:
Turn off the shutoff valve to the fixture that is leaking. Look in the trap for any debris, food particles or hair that might be obstructing it. If you can remove the debris, remove it or contact your plumber for immediate help.
4 – Blocked Drains and Toilets:
Live the obstruction using a plumbing snake or a plunger. If the tools fail to unblock the clog, call your plumber for help.
5- Gas leaks:
Get out of the home if you smell gas. Gas leaks are never something suited for DIY repairs. This is because they are so dangerous to handle. Once you are safely outside, call your emergency plumber and your gas company. Under their guidance, you can turn off the gas at the control valve by the meter. Always make it a habit to keep gas appliances free of grease or fats from foods and keep them in good working order at all times.