Even small leaks can cause serious problems like water damage, mildew, and wood rot. Detecting these issues early on will help save you a lot of money and hassle.
When you have a plumbing emergency, you need to call Platinum Plumbing service ASAP. The longer you wait, the more damage can occur to your home.
Clogged Drains
Clogged drains can lead to a host of plumbing emergencies, including water and sewage backup. You can often avoid these issues by using a variety of DIY tools, or by hiring an emergency plumber to clear the drain for you.
You know you have a clogged drain when water or sewage backs up into your sink, toilet, or tub. Ideally, you should call an emergency plumber as soon as you notice this problem to prevent worse damage.
Most clogs are caused by grease, hair, soap scum, and other debris that stick to pipe walls over time. You can usually spot these problems by slow-moving drains or foul odors. In some cases, a simple plunger or drain snake can dislodge these blockages. If these home remedies don’t work, you may need to call a professional plumber to use more advanced equipment to remove the obstruction.
All of the drain lines in your house are connected to the main sewer line, which eventually leads to your septic or sewer system. If this line becomes blocked, all of the drains throughout your house will become unusable. Emergency plumbers can use a variety of methods to restore function to these lines, from cutting and digging to hydrojetting and sewer video inspection.
You can help prevent clogs by regularly cleaning your drain lines. For example, pour a cup of hot water down each drain once a week to remove buildup. You can also pour baking soda and vinegar down a drain to break up a clog. If you do end up calling an emergency plumber to clear a drain, it’s a good idea to turn off your home’s water valve before they arrive.
In addition to regular drain cleaning, you can prevent clogs by being mindful of what you put down the drains. For example, don’t flush wipes, sanitary products, or excessive amounts of toilet paper. Instead of putting food scraps down the garbage disposal, you can invest in a strainer to catch these items. This will keep the drains in your kitchen and bathrooms free of clogs and obstructions.
Burst Pipes
A burst pipe can cause a lot of damage, especially when it occurs in the ceiling or walls of your home. Structural damage can weaken these important parts of your home or business, which could put the lives of your family members, customers, and employees at risk.
You can prevent most burst pipes by following a few simple steps. One of the most important is to turn off your water supply as soon as you notice a pipe burst. This will limit the amount of damage caused by the bursting pipe and may also make it easier to find and repair.
If possible, remove valuables from the area where the burst pipe is located. This will help protect them from water damage and make it safer for the plumber to access the issue once they arrive. You should also try to isolate the water source by closing the valves in the room that has a leaking or burst pipe.
While there are many reasons why your pipes might burst, the most common is freezing weather. Pipes that are exposed to freezing temperatures are more likely to burst, particularly if they are made of plastic or rubber.
When these materials freeze, they expand and place significant pressure on the pipes. This pressure can weaken the pipes over time, leading to a burst if the issue is not addressed immediately.
Other causes of burst pipes include corrosion, rust, and age. These issues can cause a pipe to break over time, even without freezing. For this reason, it is important to have your pipes regularly checked to ensure that they are in good condition.
The best way to prevent a pipe from bursting is by having it checked regularly for rust and corrosion. This can be done by an experienced, licensed plumber and is usually very cost-effective. Regular checks will also make it much easier to identify problems before they have the chance to cause serious damage like a burst pipe. Getting your pipes checked can save you the expense of expensive structural damage to your home or business, as well as the heartache of losing valuables and treasured heirlooms.
Faulty Shut-Off
When people think of plumbing emergencies, they often picture a pipe burst or severe water damage. However, a faulty shut-off can also be an emergency. A shut-off valve is a crucial part of your home’s plumbing system that controls how much water flows to each fixture. Normally, these are located under sinks, behind toilets, and near your home’s water meter. Unfortunately, over time these can become corroded or even fail altogether. This means you could be left with a leak that is not only dangerous but can cause costly flooding and water damage to your home.
When you have a faulty shut-off, it is essential to turn off the water supply to the affected fixture as quickly as possible. This will stop any further water damage and help mitigate the problem until a plumber can come out to fix it. In many cases, the shut-off valve will need to be replaced as well. It is a good idea to have at least one or two local plumbers on speed dial, so you can call them when you have an emergency.
A faulty shut-off can be caused by various issues, such as a buildup of minerals, corrosion, or simply age. Sometimes it is hard to tell if a shut-off is faulty or not, but there are some clear signs you can look out for. For example, if it takes a long time to turn on your shower or the water pressure is low, then this is likely a sign of a faulty shut-off.
Other common signs of a faulty shut-off include a sudden drop in water pressure, water stains on the walls or ceilings, and the smell of rotten eggs (this is a sign that you have a sewage leak). No matter what issue you are facing, it is always best to play it safe and contact an emergency plumber right away. This will save you a lot of money in the long run by stopping expensive water damage and giving you peace of mind. If you are unsure whether something is a plumbing emergency, just ask yourself these simple questions:
Running Toilet
If you have a constantly running toilet, it’s not only an irritating nuisance but also a big money-waster and can cause water damage to your home. The first thing you should do is turn off the water supply to your toilet. This is usually done by turning off your home’s main shut-off valve, which is one or two circular, wheel-like, or lever handles near your water meter in the basement of your house. Turn the valve clockwise to cut off all the water flowing into your home.
A continuously running toilet is caused by mineral deposits or debris that has accumulated on the flush valve seat. This causes the valve to leak slowly, which can cause a lot of water waste in the process. A faulty fill valve can also cause your toilet to run. The refill tube may be too long or not positioned properly in the overflow tube, which causes your toilet to keep pumping water into the bowl even after you’ve flushed.
While toilets are incredibly durable and last decades with proper care, they’re not indestructible. Over time, porcelain can crack, especially around the base. This is a common plumbing emergency that can lead to leaking from the base, which in turn can lead to expensive repairs and water damage.
Whenever you notice any signs of a crack or leak in your bathroom, call an emergency plumber immediately. A cracked toilet can quickly lead to extensive water damage and ruin your home’s floors, walls, and furniture. A seasoned plumber can repair your cracked toilet and prevent any further damage to your home.
There are a few reasons why you might need emergency plumbing such as a clogged drain or a burst pipe. However, the most important thing you can do is to test your shut-off valve annually to ensure it’s working properly. If it’s not, you should have it replaced so you don’t find yourself in a situation where your entire home is flooded due to a faulty valve.
