Let’s take a look at 7 of the most common plumbing emergencies that businesses and families often face. If you have a busy day ahead of you, you won’t have any time to check whether your plumbing system is still in good condition. But when you notice leaky pipes, you will probably be spending most of your time thinking about how to fix the issue. Plumbing problems can happen at any time, and they’re never easy to deal with.
7 Most Common Plumbing Emergencies
1. Overflowing Toilet
The first thing you should do is to stop the water from flowing into the toilet. You can find the water valve at the bottom of the water line on the side of the toilet. Turn it counterclockwise to shut off the water.
Once the water is off, you can fix the problem. If it’s a simple clog, a plunger might do the trick. Apply firm up-and-down pressure with the plunger to clear the blockage. If the clog is more stubborn, you may need an auger. This tool can help fish out debris that’s blocking the water flow. After the clog is gone, twist the water valve back on and reset the float device inside the toilet tank.
2. Clogged Sink
So, picture this: Your sink is clogged, and it’s not draining water like it should. Let’s talk about how to deal with it simply.
First things first, try to stop stuff like coffee grounds and grease from going down your sink. It’s the best way to avoid clogs. But, accidents happen, and sometimes you’ll still end up with a clogged sink. If your sink is all clogged up, grab a plunger. Use it to give your sink some push and it might clear things up. If the plunger doesn’t work, you might need an auger. With a bit of practice and patience, you can use it to unclog your sink.
3. Broken or Leaky Pipes
This usually happens when there’s too much pressure in your water pipes. High pressure can make a pipe’s connection weak, and that can make it break or stop working. It can also happen because the pipes are old or rusty.
So, how can you avoid this plumbing disaster? You can start by getting your pipes checked to see if there are any hidden problems. You might also hear a loud sound when the pipe breaks. Look out for early signs like water damage, low water pressure, or your walls and ceiling starting to droop.
4. Clogged Sewer Pipes
Did you suddenly notice a stinky sewage smell coming from your sink or other drains? Well, you might be dealing with a clog in your sewer pipes.
Such an issue happens when the pipes that carry away the dirty water from your home get blocked, and that dirty water starts coming back in. This can be a big problem because sewage backup is unhealthy. If you smell bad odors or see yucky stuff like brown water, it’s important to wash the area with bleach to keep it safe and clean.
5. No Hot Water or Freezing Cold Showers
Ever been surprised by a sudden icy shower? Or maybe your water smells funny? Well, this could mean your water heater is broken.
When your water heater goes kaput, it doesn’t just mean chilly showers; it can also lead to leaks if water starts spilling from the tank. To prevent this, make sure to take care of your water heater regularly. If you notice problems with the water temperature or pressure, make sure to call a professional plumber right away.
6. Flooding
When water from a flood stays in a place for a long time, it can harm everything it touches. Flooding can happen for various reasons like toilets getting clogged, groundwater or sewage overflowing, or a burst pipe. To avoid stress and make sure things are fixed properly, it’s a good idea to have an expert check and repair the problem. Even if you remove the floodwater, you need to do it in the right way. If you don’t, there can be long-lasting damage and problems. So, it’s important to get professionals involved to handle flooding situations properly and prevent further damage.
7. Sump Pump Failure
If you find that your sump pump isn’t doing its job, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue.
In this case check if there’s any debris blocking the impeller. The impeller is like a little spinning fan that helps the pump move water. Sometimes, stuff like leaves or other debris can get in the way and stop it from working properly. To check this, you can remove the screen or cover on your sump pump and make sure nothing is blocking the impeller’s movement.
If the impeller is clear of any debris and the pump is still not working, there could be a different problem. One possibility is that the pump might not be getting enough electricity to run properly. Check if it’s plugged in and getting power. Also, the float switch, which tells the pump when to turn on and off, could be broken or not working correctly. You might need to get it repaired or replaced.
Another thing to consider is how long the pump has been running. If it has been running for a long time without a break, it might shut down because it’s getting too hot. This is called “thermal overload“. In this case, you should let the pump cool down and then try running it again.
How We Can Help?
Our company can be a valuable resource for customers in need of plumbing services by offering a range of solutions for fixing plumbing issues. 24/7 Best Emergency Services provides day and night emergency plumbing services to address urgent issues. Our professional plumbers are skilled and knowledgeable in diagnosing and repairing your plumbing problems.
If you are experiencing these common plumbing emergencies and don’t have time to fix them yourself, do not hesitate to give us a call. Contact us now to book an appointment.