Indoor plumbing is a mystery to most people not trained to repair or install it, and if you’re like most people, if your plumbing isn’t working, you likely have no idea what’s causing your plumbing problems. If your plumbing isn’t working, it may feel like an emergency, but some system failures require more urgent attention than others. When looking at plumbing emergencies, certain issues automatically increase the urgency of your plumbing situation. If your fixtures are leaking or ruptured, it’s a serious emergency.
Five Common Plumbing Emergencies
You probably already consider many of these obvious emergencies, but some plumbing emergencies may seem like minor issues. When determining whether a plumbing issue is an emergency, a good gauge is whether unrestricted water is coming from your plumbing fixtures. If the answer is yes, then it’s typically an emergency.
Here are some of the most common types of plumbing emergencies:
- Hot Water Overheating: If your water heater is spewing scalding water, this is a dangerous situation. Scalding hot water flowing from your faucets without warning can lead to catastrophic injury. When a water heater overheats, it can lead to severe burns. If you have a traditional water heater, you must monitor it for wear and tear. Older systems can overheat, especially if there are blockages in the system. The leading causes of overheating can be linked to any of the following: a faulty thermostat, a malfunctioning pressure relief valve, sediment blockages in the heating element, or a faulty heating element.
- Dripping Faucets: Shower heads, sinks, and exterior spigots can all be prone to leaks, especially if they are aging poorly or you have hard water. While these leaks may not constitute a traditional emergency, they can quickly become a serious problem. Long-term faucet drips not only waste gallons of water but can also damage your property.
- Leaking Pipes & Water Heaters: Leaks from anywhere are bad for your home and utility bills. The best way to fight a leaking pipe is to call a plumbing repair professional. If you are considering trying to patch an exposed pipe, you should refrain from quick-fix solutions. They can do more damage to your home plumbing than you realize. Drain cleaning chemicals have a terrible impact on your sewer and plumbing systems, and a patch can slow down plumbers because they must remove any quick fixes before starting repairs. A water heater leak can be a more critical concern than a leaking pipe because water heaters typically involve large volumes of water. Whether you have a leaking pipe or a compromised water heater, the best action you can take is to shut off the water valve and wait for assistance.
- Gas Leaks: Leaking water pipes aren’t the only types of leaks handled by plumbers. If you have natural gas lines in your home, a plumber can repair gas leaks and detect problems with gas lines if you suspect your system is showing signs of malfunction. Additives are infused in natural gas to help detect leaks in the home. The smell of rotten eggs has long been added to natural gas to alert the user they should turn off gas valves and exit the home immediately.
- Clogs: The drains and sewer lines in your home can easily become clogged, given the amount of wear and tear they suffer each day. If you are experiencing slow-moving drains, you have time before it erupts into a full-blown emergency. Prevention is the key to your protection from backups caused by overflowing drains and sewers. Be careful about what you put down your drains and into your sewer system. Clogs can be prevented; when they can’t, you need to contact a plumber immediately. You can use a plunger to stop the overflow, but removing the clog will require the assistance of a plumbing professional.
The All Pro Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical Difference
At All Pro Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical, we stand apart from our competition as a full-service provider of a wide selection of home plumbing services. Our plumbing professionals offer everything from water treatment services to plumbing repair and installation. We proudly offer safe, reliable, and affordable plumbing solutions to customers throughout our service area. Callour specialists todayat (909) 500-8193 to schedule an appointment to discuss maintenance options or to request emergency services.