What constitutes a Plumbing Emergency?
The irony is that most plumbing emergencies in the home can be prevented by the residents from the start. Emergency plumbers report that plumbing negligence is the number one cause for stubborn obstructions in drains and for defective pipes. Homeowners tend to neglect their plumbing systems until faced with a plumbing emergency. By that time, it could be too late to undo the damage done to their home.
Here are the ten most common home emergency plumbing situations.
Blocked sinks:
It’s annoying when your kitchen or bathroom sink drains slowly, but it’s not necessarily an emergency. However, if the clog becomes severe and the sink refuses to drain, wastewater flow may stop completely, constituting a health risk. In this case, we recommend that you take steps to unclog the drain as soon as possible.
Clogged toilets:
Is your toilet clogged, making strange noises, leaking or refusing to flush? Try some of our DIY tips for unclogging the toilet first before calling us; but do remember that an unresolved problem can allow leaks. These can lead to structural damage to your home, and that backed up, raw sewage presents a health hazard.
Blocked bathtubs and shower drains:
If your bath or shower water doesn’t drain, or there are strange gurgling sounds or smells coming from the bathroom drains, you have a problem. Once again, try our DIY tips for unblocking the bathroom drain first, and if they prove unsuccessful, call us.
Leaking taps and toilets:
While the constant drip, drip, drip is annoying, leaky taps and toilets in your home can also increase your water bills, cause rust to form and facilitate the growth of mould. While not necessarily an emergency, you may need a plumber to fix the problem if the cause of the leak is not obvious or is tricky to fix. You could also consider upgrading your toilet to a newer, less problematic model.
Leaking hot water cylinder:
If you discover a leak or other problem interrupting your hot water supply, you could be wasting a lot of money on water heating. A leak can also cause property damage. A leaking hot water cylinder valve can be easily replaced, but if the hot water cylinder’s wall has completely rusted through, you need to replace it quickly.
Leaky washing machine and drier hoses:
The water hoses of your washing machine and drier are often the weakest components of these otherwise durable appliances. If you discover a cracked or bulging hose behind the washer or drier, or the hoses don’t connect properly, don’t ignore it. Mould and rust can quickly become serious problems and the floor covering in your laundry area can be damaged too.
Broken water pipes:
Tree roots, earthquakes, ground movement due to excessive wet-dry conditions, and poorly aimed shovels can cause underground water pipes to break. This results in soggy areas in the yard, poor water quality, and no or very low water pressure in your home.
Risk of flooding:
Flooding due to a failed sump pump, burst pipe, sewer backup, or water shut-off valve failure, are all examples of plumbing emergencies. Flooding can cause significant damage to structures and is a safety concern; therefore, it should be addressed as soon as possible by professionals like FlowFix Plumbing.
No hot water:
It’s the worst scenario: you’re covered in suds, when suddenly the water goes ice-cold. You could be experiencing a hot water system malfunction, an electrical issue or a plumbing leak. It’s best to get a professional opinion.
Sewerage system backup:
When this happens, sewage sits at its backup point, creating a health hazard. Signs of a sewerage system backup include multiple drain clogs, bad sewage odours coming from the drains, gurgling toilets, and water pooling around the floor drains.
How can I prevent a plumbing emergency?
In general, preventive maintenance to your home’s plumbing, every once in a while, will not only keep plumbing fixtures, drains and pipes in good condition for a long time, but will further allow you to spot early problems and have them fixed before they escalate to costly plumbing emergencies.
Contact us to discuss your options for regular maintenance inspections or for a plumbing emergency. Call Colette today on 027 234 5454 or email her at admin@flowfix.co.nz.