Emergency Plumbing Services

We’ve all experienced that heart-stopping moment when a toilet overflows, a shower drain stops working, or worse, you find yourself stepping into a puddle in the kitchen due to a major leak under the sink or dishwasher. While DIY solutions from the hardware store might seem like a quick fix, they can sometimes make matters worse, leaving you wondering if it’s time to call for emergency plumbing services. But what exactly qualifies as a plumbing emergency, and when should you call in the pros instead of tackling it yourself? Let’s explore what constitutes a plumbing emergency and when it’s best to rely on professional help.

What Is a Plumbing Emergency?

When you see water flowing where it’s not supposed to go, your instinct might be to rush for the phone and call a plumber to handle the problem. Though some “emergencies” are simply inconveniences that you can work out on your own — such as the stopped-up toilet or the blocked shower drain — there are some moments when calling the pros, no matter the hour, is the best option. When you face a situation that requires emergency plumbing services, it’s crucial to act fast to minimize potential damage and repair costs.

But what constitutes an emergency? As a general rule of thumb, if water is not controlled and you have no way to fix that problem, you’ve got an emergency on your hand. Knowing when to call for emergency plumbing services can make a significant difference in preventing minor issues from escalating into major disasters. Here are some examples:

• Burst Pipes: When a pipe bursts, water begins flowing out of it at a high rate, and that can quickly turn into a serious mess. This is especially true if the pipe is deep underground, where you might not notice the water flow at first. But you might notice other problems, such as a sudden lack of water pressure or an area of lawn that is much greener than the rest. The moment you realize what is happening, you need to call in the professionals.
• Sewage Backups: When sewage stops flowing out of your home and instead flows back into it, you have a smelly, messy health risk on your hands. Professionals are required to tackle these problems, as they likely stem from somewhere outside the home and might require heavy equipment, new pipes, and permits to fix.
• Severe Leaks: A little drip-drip under the sink can likely wait until morning or even through the weekend, thus helping you avoid the emergency fees. But if it’s a leak that gushes out from a crack in the pipe or a problem with the coupling, there’s little you can do but replace the damaged area. That often means cutting off the water and calling a plumber right away.
• Overflowing Toilets: Just as the sewage backup can be a health risk, so can overflowing toilets. If you can’t plunge them or snake them with household tools designed for the purpose, your only option will be to call the professionals. The problem might be deep in the pipe, where you simply can’t reach without the serious tools that the pros use.
• Problems With Water Heaters or Sump Pumps: Though it might seem as though these fixtures can sit idle for a few days while you get in touch with a plumber, the truth is that things can get worse very quickly. Water heaters that are petering out or sump pumps that don’t work can lead to other problems — for instance, a non-working sump pump provides no protection at all if you have a torrential rain.
• No Water Supply: You turn on the faucet and nothing happens. You flush the toilet and it doesn’t refill from the reservoir. What’s going on? If it’s a system-wide issue across town, your water will likely come back on in a few hours. But if it seems to be just your house, it’s time to call the pros.

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Common Causes of Plumbing Emergencies

Plumbing emergencies often seem to come out of the blue. That’s especially true if there is a catastrophic failure of a pipe, such as a break as a result of a freeze-thaw cycle. Here are the most common reasons why you might sudden deal with a plumbing issue.

• Freezing Temperatures: As water freezes, it expands. This puts pressure on whatever the water is in, such as the pipes that run to your home. As the water thaws, the pressure diminishes. Over time, these cycles lead to a weaker pipe, and eventually, the pipe can break or the couplings can come loose.
• Clogged Drains: It’s not just water that flows down the drains. Other things do too — bath products, such as shampoo or soap, can create buildup in the drain and pipe. Bits of food debris can clog up a kitchen sink, and accumulated hair can do the same in the shower. Clogged drains occur for a variety of reasons, but the problem is the same — water flow slowing down or stopping and that water backing up to where it shouldn’t be.
• Old or Damaged Pipes: The older your pipes, the more likely they are to spring a leak. Corrosion is a strong culprit here, as many older metal pipes eventually corrode or rust, and that leads to cracks and breaks. Pipes can also be damaged by outside forces, such as a heavy vehicle driving over them or an earthquake and other ground movement.
• Tree Root Intrusion: Plants will always seek out water, and what better place to find a steady stream of it than in the pipes underneath the ground? Root intrusion into pipes is quite common. It might initially create a little leak that you don’t notice for years, but when the pipe gives away under the pressure of the roots, you will definitely take note! Tree root intrusion often requires replacing pipes.
• Improper DIY Repairs: If you’ve tried to repair something yourself but you aren’t handy with plumbing, you might face a bigger problem down the road. For instance, replacing the valve on a pipe might seem like easy work, but you could have simply patched it up enough to hold for now — and when it gives way, it could do so in spectacular fashion.

Immediate Actions to Take During a Plumbing Emergency

When faced with a plumbing crisis, emergency plumbing services can provide the immediate expertise and tools needed to handle the situation. When there is a water emergency, the first thing to do is shut off the main water valve. Do this right away to lessen the damage and make cleanup easier. Shutting off the water will get the situation under control and give you a moment to think about what to do next.

Speaking of what to do next, after you shut off the water:

• Assess the Situation: Where is the water coming from? Does it affect one fixture or is it a whole-house problem? Is the leak or break in the house, or is it outside, under the ground? How bad is the leak or water flow? Can you see the problem, such as a broken pipe underneath your sink, or is it hidden away and you have no idea where it’s coming from? These are questions a plumber will likely ask when you call.
• Mitigate the Damage: Clean up what you can as soon as you can. This might mean putting a bucket under a leak, using towels to soak up the spilled water, and moving things out of the way that could be damaged by the water, such as cleaning out underneath the bathroom sink and tossing the things that are already irreversibly damaged.
• Avoid Use of Affected Plumbing Fixtures: The water should be off by now and so you shouldn’t be able to use the fixtures that are causing the problem, but there might be things you do without thinking about it. For instance, you might dump something down the sink or flush the toilet. Try to do whatever you can to avoid using the fixtures until the problem is fixed.
• Contacting an Emergency Plumber: Once you’ve shut off the water and cleaned up a bit, it’s time to call the emergency plumber. Be ready to give them a quick run-down of what has happened and follow their instructions to the letter. They should give you a time frame during which they will arrive to take care of the issue.

If you turn off the valve but the water continues to flow, you’ve got an even more serious problem on your hands. Call the emergency plumber right away. They might need to contact the city to shut off a water main.

What to Expect From an Emergency Plumber

By calling emergency plumbing services, you can expect a prompt response, a thorough assessment of the issue, and efficient repair work to restore your home’s plumbing. Don’t worry that you are “bothering” someone when you call their emergency number. This is their work! They expect and are accustomed to calls at all hours, on weekends, and even on holidays. Here’s what happens when you call.

• Quick Response Time: An emergency plumber will answer the phone as soon as you call. You might be transferred to an answering service, especially if you live in an urban area where the plumbers are quite busy, but that will put you in the queue for them to return your call.
• Assessment and Immediate Repair: They will ask you plenty of questions and try to drill down to the problem over the phone. This will help them understand how big the job might be and what they will need to tackle it. They will then come out to your home as soon as they can and begin working the problem.
• Professional Advice for Future Prevention: The emergency plumber will provide you with details of what they are doing to fix the problem as well as advice on how to prevent it in the future. They might also give you a quote for further fixes — for instance, if you are dealing with pipes that have tree roots wreaking havoc, you might need to have them all replaced in the near future.
• Transparent Pricing: A good plumber will tell you what their fee is to come out to your home during something other than normal business hours, and they will always give you an estimate before they begin work. They know that in the midst of a water emergency, you need the facts and figures quickly to make an informed decision.

Preventing Plumbing Emergencies

While an emergency plumber has your back, the ideal situation is to never need to call them. There are some ways to help ensure that your pipes, drains, and all water fixtures stay in good working order for as long as possible.

• Regular Maintenance and Inspections: Pay attention to the water in your home. From draining the water heater of sediment buildup to ensuring the sump pump is working properly, take the time to keep up with regular maintenance. The moment you see something wrong, get it fixed.
• Insulating Pipes: Wrapping your pipes with insulation can help prevent the natural freeze-thaw cycles that eventually lead to broken pipes.
• Proper Disposal Practices: Be careful what you put down the drains in your home. For instance, don’t flush feminine products down the toilet and don’t pour grease into the sink. These things can clog up the pipes and lead to backups.
• Monitoring Water Pressure: One of the first signs of a serious leak is a drop in water pressure. If you notice that water pressure drops in any part of your home, it’s time to get things checked out.
• Use Alarms: For little-traveled areas in your home, consider small alarms that detect the presence of water. Place them underneath sinks and behind toilets. If a small leak begins, you will detect it almost immediately.
• Keep Backup Water on Hand: Keep a few gallons of water on hand for those moments when the water is off. You might need to use the extra water to not only stay hydrated and cook, but to flush toilets and even bathe while you wait on repairs.

Be ready for anything that might go wrong by knowing who the emergency plumbers are in your area and how to get in touch with them. In the meantime, make sure that you take care of the drains and pipes in your home as best you can by protecting them from the elements, doing a visual inspection whenever you open a cabinet to the pipes, and follow good maintenance procedures for your appliances and fixtures.

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