When a plumbing emergency occurs, you need to know who to call and what steps to take next. Taking immediate action can help minimize damage and save you money in the long run.
While minor issues like a dripping faucet can often wait for normal business hours, some problems require immediate attention from a plumber. Some of the most common plumbing emergencies include burst pipes, sewage backups, and flooding. Get in touch with Emergency Plumbers Aurora CO right away.
Leaking Faucets
Sometimes, it’s hard to decide whether or not a plumbing problem requires emergency service. That’s especially true if the issue isn’t immediately obvious, like a leaky faucet. Fortunately, there are some quick questions you can ask to determine if a leak is an emergency and when it’s best to call a plumber for assistance.
Leaking faucets are a common household problem that affects many homes. They’re also one of the most costly problems that homeowners face, as a leaking sink or tub can quickly lead to water waste and expensive repairs.
Luckily, fixing most leaking faucets is fairly straightforward. The first step is to shut off the water supply for the affected fixture by turning off the valve under the sink or behind the wall. This will keep water from drenching your kitchen or bathroom while you’re working on the problem.
Next, look for the source of the leak. You may find that the issue is with a washer, which can be worn out or the wrong size, or the faucet seal/gasket, which can be worn down or improperly installed. A faulty washer or gasket is easy to replace, and this can fix the leak in most cases.
A broken faucet handle or a loose screw can also cause a leak. This is usually easy to diagnose and fix, but it’s important to turn off the water supply before attempting this to avoid flooding your home with water.
If the leak is caused by a damaged pipe or fitting, it’s time to call in an expert. These kinds of leaks are serious and can result in significant damage to your home, including mold growth that’s hazardous to your family’s health.
You can also try to fix the leak by using a plumber’s putty to create a new seal or replace the washer. Be sure to clean up any excess water before proceeding and always cover drains with a stopper or old towel, as small parts can easily fall down the drain and be lost. Lastly, be sure to turn the water back on once you’ve replaced the part.
Clogged Drains
A clogged drain can be an emergency, depending on where it is and how bad the clog is. Drains deal with everything we put down and can easily become blocked by hair, grease, food scraps, or even just everyday use. If left unattended, a clog can cause overflows in sinks, bathtubs, and toilets that may require costly repairs to clean up and repair.
If you have a drain clog in your kitchen or bathroom, try some of the many DIY techniques available before calling a plumber. For example, a basic plunger can often dislodge smaller clogs in your sink, tub, or toilet. You can also try using a snake or an auger to dislodge clogs in your pipes. If these methods don’t work, it’s time to call a plumber.
Another common plumbing emergency is a broken or burst pipe. This can occur due to freezing temperatures, overly high water pressure, or corrosion in older pipes. The first thing you should do if you suspect a pipe is leaking or has burst is to shut off your home’s water supply and turn off the main water valve. This will stop any more water from entering your home and prevent further damage to your property.
Once you have the water turned off, it’s a good idea to write down all of the occurrences that led up to this point- sounds, smells, changes in water pressure, etc. This can help the plumber diagnose your problem faster and make more accurate recommendations for a quick fix.
If you decide to hire a plumber to fix your clogged drain, make sure they are licensed and insured. They should also be able to provide you with an upfront quote before starting any work. This will also give you peace of mind that the plumber is someone you can trust to do a quality job. Be sure to ask your plumber about their emergency response policies so you know what to expect if the situation gets out of hand. A trusted plumber will always be there to help!
Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes are one of the most serious plumbing emergencies and must be addressed as soon as possible to avoid more expensive repairs later. Frozen water expands as it turns to ice, creating tremendous pressure that can burst the pipe. Frozen pipes also cause severe damage to surrounding areas of your home, such as drywall or flooring. If you suspect that you have frozen pipes, here are some signs to watch out for:
A noticeable lack of water flowing from your faucets and fixtures. Frozen pipes are usually found in unheated areas of your home, such as the basement, crawl space, attic, or exterior walls. The problem is most common during extremely cold weather.
If you notice that your neighbors are out of water or their water is flowing at a slower rate than usual, it could mean that they have frozen pipes too. This is an indication that the problem is spread throughout your neighborhood and requires immediate attention from a 24-hour plumber.
Seeing icy residue on your water meter or in the area around your pipes is another clear sign of frozen water. If you have access to your meter, shut it off using the valve located on top of or near your water heater. Once you have shut off your water, open the faucets and drains connected to the affected pipe. This will relieve the pressure and prevent your pipe from bursting.
If the pipe is easily accessible, you can attempt to thaw it manually by wrapping an electronic heating pad or heating it with a hair dryer or hot washcloth. Do not use an open flame device like a torch, as this can cause the pipe to burst.
If you can’t find the frozen area or if your attempts to thaw it manually don’t work, call a plumber right away. The best way to protect your pipes from freezing is by insulating them and keeping the temperature in your home consistent. If you live in an older home with aging pipes, you may be at greater risk for frozen and burst pipes.
Septic Tank
Unlike your kitchen or bathroom plumbing, your septic tank is out of sight and out of mind until something goes wrong. Fortunately, there are usually warning signs that alert you to septic tank problems before they cause a major sewage backup and expensive repairs. Look for slow-flowing drains, gurgling noises in or around the toilets, and foul odors. Paying attention to these red flags will help you prevent septic tank emergencies and save money in the long run.
When a sink, toilet, or tub is draining slower than molasses, it’s time to call your local plumber. A clogged fixture is often a sign that the septic system is overflowing or a baffle or inlet filter needs to be replaced.
If your septic tank is the source of the problem, lift the lid and check the water level. If it’s lower than the outlet, there’s a clog in the pipe between the house and the tank. If the septic tank is full, it will also need to be pumped.
Most septic tanks are installed outside the home, but they can still experience issues that affect the plumbing inside the house. It’s important to know the difference between a plumber and a septic company so you call the right professional when needed.
Plumbers specialize in the piping systems throughout your house and work closely with your faucets, garbage disposals, toilets, and showers. Septic companies, on the other hand, deal with the septic system outside your home, which primarily handles wastewater.
Septic tanks are designed to remove solids from wastewater before they get absorbed into the ground absorption system (drain field). The waste is broken down by natural bacteria and enzymes, which helps prevent the clogging of drain pipes and sewage backups in the house. However, many items can clog the drain lines or even the septic tank itself, including household and commercial cleaning products, paint, hair, dental floss, paper towels, grease and oil, pet waste, and more. Keeping these items out of the septic system and ensuring that the septic tank is emptied regularly can avoid problems.
