Plumbing Emergencies You May Face And How To Prevent Them
Plumbing emergencies happen—which is exactly why you have an established relationship with a plumbing company, right? Well, no one has a crystal ball to predict the future, but plumbing is actually pretty predictable. You can guess that at some point, you’ll have problems with the plumbing in your home. Here are the three most common plumbing emergencies you should prepare for.
Clogged Drains
If your bathroom or kitchen sink isn’t draining right, then you’re afflicted with the most common plumbing issue in the world. Fortunately, you can fix this problem without too much hassle.
Clogged drains in the bathroom are usually caused by a buildup of dirt, hair, and skin that bind to soap debris inside the drain. In the kitchen, sinks clog up when soap scum, tacky food residue, and grease from cooking combine to block the pipes.
If you ever discover a clogged drain, the solution is pretty easy. For bathroom drains, the problem usually lies pretty close to the drain opening. Get a hold of a plastic hair snare, insert it into the drain, and pull it out. That’ll usually solve the issue.
For kitchen sinks, the clog must first be loosened. You can do this by pouring boiling water down the drain and then using a plunger to break it up. If that doesn’t do the trick, call in a plumbing company!
Ruptured Water Lines
Old plumbing runs the risk of rupturing at any time—a problem that can seem to come from out of nowhere! The best thing to do is plan for it since it can happen as a result of shifting soil, poor repair work, or seasonal freeze/thaw cycles.
How can you tell if your water line has ruptured? You’re likely to find standing water in your yard along with sudden water bills that are higher than in the past. If you discover either of these, then turn off the main water valve to your home and call a plumbing company.
Sewer Backup
Sewer backups are a pretty nasty affair, but they do happen quite often and when you are likely to least expect it. You can make sewer backup prevention a priority with just a few tips.
Sewer backups are normally caused by:
- Clogged main sewer lines that prevent drainage
- Tree roots that crush or wrap around sewer lines, leading to blockages
- Older sewer lines made from clay or cast iron that collapse or break
If your sewer backs up on you, then you need to get immediate help. No matter when or where it occurs, it’s a hazard to the health of you and your family. Don’t use any of your plumbing and call a plumbing company immediately to help get the sewer line repaired. You should:
- Never attempt to clean it up yourself
- Stay away from the areas affected
- Try to prevent flow from reaching any air registers and turn off your central heating or air
- Call a restoration company to clean it up
- Call your homeowner’s insurance to make a claim right away
Plumbing problems are bound to happen, but with the help of a trusted plumbing company, you’re not alone in tackling them!
