Everyone has at least a few essential tools at home to address small plumbing repairs—a clogged toilet, slow draining sink, or water leaks —which merely take a little elbow grease to fix.
However, there are also cases that constitute an emergency such as burst pipes or a faulty water heater. If you ever find yourself in these situations, it’s necessary that you contact a professional or one of your trusted cheap plumbers in Sydney. Trying to fix these issues could result in more serious cases later.
In this article, we will discuss the most common plumbing emergencies that warrant a call for a burst pipe plumber, the dangers they potentially carry, plus some pointers on the preliminary steps to take while you wait for help.
Burst Pipes
A slow-dripping tap can waste up to 9,000 litres of water every year. So, imagine just how much water burst pipes can waste.
This is by far the most damaging and costly plumbing emergency and is often caused by age, corrosion, and sometimes, a drastic increase in the water pressure. It can result in flooding, which may dampen the walls, ceilings, and floors and lead to serious structural damage if repairs are delayed.
In case of burst pipes, shut off the water supply immediately and remove anything that could be damaged by the water such as furniture and appliances. Afterwards, call a local plumber immediately.
Sewer Backups
Sewer water is black water that contains pathogens, which can spread viruses and diseases to your property.
You know you’re dealing with a sewer backup when you see several drainage clogs, babbling toilets, and water pooling around your drainage system, coupled with a foul smell coming from the sewage. It is necessary that you call an emergency plumber to handle the situation right away.
Often, sewer backups are symptoms of a more serious problem such as clogs in your drain pipes or the main sewer line of your area.
No Running Water
Running water is a necessity for bathing, cooking, cleaning and many other daily activities and a water disruption can significantly affect your productivity.
There are many reasons for the sudden loss of water pressure such as a glitch in the water supply system, but it can also be caused by your pressure regulator. It’s necessary that you call an emergency plumber to figure out what’s causing the lost water service.
Gas Leaks
The smell of gas around a gas-powered water heater is a serious indication of a gas leak or gas combustion problem. What you should do is to shut off the gas supply and vacate your home. Call your plumber to check for leaks immediately.
Such an emergency does not lend itself to self-help measures, as it can be risky in the untrained hands.
Overflowing Toilet & Drains
A slow drain is annoying, but it’s not necessarily an emergency. The same goes for clogged toilets and sinks, which can be remedied by lifting the obstruction using a plunger or a plumber’s snake.
However, if the clog becomes severe, it may cause the drains to overflow, which may result in flooding. Flood damage can create significant damage to your property and is a safety concern. In such cases, call in your plumber as soon as possible.
The necessity for emergency plumbing services is characterised by a situation that poses a danger to you, your family, and your property. These include issues such as flooding, gas leaks, loss of water pressure, sewer backups, and burst pipes.
With these plumbing emergencies, your objective is to mitigate the damage, which in return, would help reduce the repair costs. If you ever find yourself in these situations, don’t compromise your safety in the attempt to address the problem yourself, always contact a burst pipe or emergency plumber.
Do you have any other plumbing emergencies to add to the list? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below!