In terms of plumbing, issues often arise at the most inconvenient times, and they tend to be quite problematic. Thus, it is important to have a trusted company to turn to in the case of emergency plumbing needs so that quick fixes and more extensive problems do not ensue eventually. In this guide, the reader is going to learn about what is considered to be a plumbing emergency, how to act in case of such an emergency, what one can expect from an emergency plumber, and how to select a reliable emergency plumbing service.
What Is Considered to Be an Emergency in Cases of Plumbing?
There are various plumbing problems that should be addressed as they are a great concern. These include:
- Leakages – Sometimes pipes get damaged by pressure through bending and this leads to leakage that must be fixed to avoid water gushing out of control. This implies that there is potential for water damage on the flooring, the walls, furniture and any other property affected by water.
- Leaking pipes – although small leaks do not fall under the category of urgent repair, there are cases where pipes are leaking and filling areas in your home with water, and this requires a quick fix. The moisture also brings in the development of mold and rotting of wooden structures.
- Drain pipes backup of sewage – If your drain pipes have carried sewage into your sink, tub, shower, or toilet, then you need an emergency plumber. Raw sewage contains bacteria which can make the house you are renting unfit for living and also do long-term effects to your walls and floor among others.
- Odor or sound of escaping gas! If the house is filled with the smell of natural gas or there is a hissing sound from the appliances that use it, repair should be done on the gas line to avoid the risk of explosion. These are some of the worst gas leaks that one can ever imagine, and this is the reason why they are so fatal.
- No hot water – When all or some areas of your house experience a scarcity of hot water, it is as a result of an issue with the water heater that only a plumber can fix.
- Cracks and splits, blockage and ice – water pipes that are suffering from cracks and splits or have been blocked by tough clogs or have been frozen and covered with ice require immediate repair to prevent any subsequent flooding and consequent water damage.
Plumbing emergencies are often unavoidable since pipes can burst or connections can sometimes break apart, and that is why you need to have an action plan ready in case such a situation arises.
In the event of plumbing disasters, it is possible to minimize the amount of harm by remaining cool-headed and taking the necessary measures to address the situation as well as call a plumber. Here is what you should do when facing a plumbing emergency:Here is what you should do when facing a plumbing emergency:
1. Shut off the water flow – You should try to turn off the main water supply valve and stop the water from flowing further. This will not always be possible, but should it be, it will greatly help prevent flood damages due to broken pipes, leaks or backups from a clogged drain.
2. Do not use any plumbing fixtures – Avoid coming in contact with the affair through sinks, toilets, showers, bathtubs or any other fixture associated with the affected plumbing if water has been turned off. Fixed lights that people walk past can knock pipes once water service is restored.
3. Prevent further harm – As for any water leakage or even flooding, it is crucial to place towels and sandbags on the floor to stop water from penetrating the floorboards and walls. Take out personal belongings that you have placed close to the source of leakage or any area that is likely to experience a spillage. Some of the measures that may be implemented include switching off electricity in the region to avoid creating more danger.
4. Emergency plumber – Try to seek help from an emergency plumber that operates all through the day and night once you realize severe problems. Be as specific as you want them to know the problem so that they can have a clue on how to address it since it is an emergency and requires immediate attention.
What Emergency Plumbers Do
Hiring a plumber is always advisable because they undergo through rigorous training to deal with any plumbing problems. It is important to know that when you are calling an emergency plumber, they will send a qualified technician to your property at the soonest time possible for high level services. These include:
- In this stage, they will evaluate the extent of losses and employ various instruments to determine where and precisely plumbing failures are and the potential intensity of harm.
- Arrest the problem – They are quick to work on the problem, whether it is leakage, blockage, burst, fracture, overflow and anything else that caused the emergency.
- They employ extraction methods to drain any existing water and also use items such as dehumidifiers and air circulation fans to reduce moisture.
- Attend to requisite repairs – They are able to make requisite repairs because they posses all the requirements that are needed, they have the right equipment and everything that is needed to make the repair where it is needed in order to fix the main issue.
- Fix issues to regain flow – They ensure your plumbing system is back to optimal functionality where all the fixtures, pipes, appliances, and drains are in proper working order.
Selecting an Experienced Emergency Plumber
It is also wrong to assume that all the plumbers are always available especially late at night or that they have the capacity to deal with the true emergencies. When selecting an emergency plumbing service, keep the following tips in mind:When selecting an emergency plumbing service, keep the following tips in mind:
- Availability – They should have a personnel on standby for 24/7 and must be able to respond to your location immediately, be it in the middle of the night or during the weekends or holidays.
- Quick turnaround time –: Most of them give an assurance of replying within the shortest time possible, depending on the hour you call them as delays worsen the situation.
- Qualified and skilled personnel – It should hire professional plumbers only and ensure that they are trained to work for the company and working under the updated codes and latest technique.
- Has plumbers with proper license – Experienced companies always have fully licensed plumbers that have undergone through appropriate training and testing of the state.
- Makes more urgent promises – Some offer an assurance that the issue will be fixed within the visit or by a given timeframe, and provided more rebates or a refund if it does not.
- Has good customer feedback – Where one can read and see detailed feedback from the customers, then one can be able to tell whether the plumbing service provider has adequate customer response and ways or methods of handling different types of plumbing emergencies for the many satisfied clients.
Take Preventative Measures
While plumbers play a pivotal role in emergency plumbing issues, certain proactive maintenance steps can minimize problems, including:While plumbers play a pivotal role in emergency plumbing issues, certain proactive maintenance steps can minimize problems, including:
- Scheduling routine inspections by a professional to inspect pipes, fittings, water heaters, drainage systems, etc. , for signs of wear and other possible failures that may be in the early stages of bursting. Annual check-ups are recommended.
- Placing devices to detect moisture leaks and send signals to the homeowners so they can turn off water supply immediately. These systems may also turn off the water in some cases if they detect leakage is persistent.
- Replumbing old and susceptible piping such as galvanized steel or even copper pipes before they spring leaks due to tiny cracks.
It is equally important to remain alert to identify leaks as soon as possible and it is also an effective prevention measure to repair small issues at the initial stage. However, in cases of genuine plumbing emergencies, reliable emergency plumbers on call to rush for emergency plumbing services means less expense and damage to the house.