Many property owners will, at some stage in their lives, need to call on a professional plumber—whether it is for something major like burst pipes or a clogged drain.
To help you avoid panic and the potential for a serious catastrophe, we’ve outlined how you should handle any plumbing issues and manage the problem to prevent additional damage to your property.
It is crucial to take immediate action during a plumbing emergency, as failure to do so often leads to expensive repairs. It is also important to know the different scenarios that call for different responses and measures.
- Burst pipes
Stop the water from flooding your home by closing off your home’s main shutoff valve. Because shutting down the main valve regulates the water supply to all of your fixtures, it should be able to stop the flood.
To minimize potential damage, turn on all cold-water taps throughout your home so that the pipes can drain any trapped water and steam.
Once you’ve taken charge of the problem, call in a professional emergency plumber to either replace or mend the pipes.
- Frozen pipes
Be sure to close your home’s main shutoff valve before the frozen pipes split and cause damage. Turn on a faucet and let the water drip slowly until the pipe is thawed from its end all the way to the tap.
Do not use any devices with flammable properties near water, as thermal expansion can lead to burst pipes.
- A broken main water line
If your home’s water line becomes clogged or breaks, you should immediately call in a plumbing expert. Plumbing emergencies rarely happen at convenient times, which is why it’s important to have a 24-hour plumbing service provider that you can rely on.
When main water lines are damaged, the pressure often rises and leads to flooding of your home’s foundation. Ensure that you clean up any water that enters your basement immediately.
- Leaking fixture
If you let a small drip continue, it will often turn into a much larger plumbing problem. To prevent this, find the shutoff valve for the broken fixture and turn it off as soon as possible. Once that’s done, check the trap nearby for any clogging sources such as soap scum, food particles, hair strands, or debris.
These are all typical obstacles that can result in a pipe overflow. If you have a leak, it is best to call in a professional plumber.
- A failing water heater
Water heaters that are not functioning due to faults with the gas line or electrical connections frequently break down. This causes significant stress for house owners every day as a result of difficulties in bathing, cooking, and cleaning. If you don’t have hot water because your water heater has failed, contact a qualified plumbing service professional right away.
- A blocked drain or toilet.
The most frequent plumbing issues are blocked toilets and drains, whether in residential or commercial buildings. To unclog a toilet or drain, use a plunger or drain snake. If the problem continues, hire a professional plumber.
- A broken main sewer line
The main sewer line is the pipe that connects your home’s plumbing system to the municipal sewer system. A broken main sewer line can cause sewage to back up into your home, which can lead to serious health hazards. If you think your main sewer line is broken, call a professional plumber right away.
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