The 7 Most Common Plumbing Emergencies

Plumbing problems come up from time to time in the home; you most likely have had to deal with it yourself. But would you know the different situations that can occur and are actual plumbing emergencies? These different scenarios need to be acted upon immediately to prevent further damage to your plumbing fixtures and possibly your property:

1. BURST OR BROKEN PIPES

This is by far the most common and potentially damaging plumbing emergency. Several factors can cause a pipe to burst, such as freezing temperatures, high water pressures, damage due to corrosion, tree roots, etc. Because pipes are usually hidden behind walls, above the ceiling, or under the floors, the extent of the problem can already be severe when a leak has gone through barriers and is noticed. Consider the possibility of a leak whenever water is observed in places where it should typically not be present. This constitutes an emergency as water damage, flooding, or damage due to mold can wreak havoc on your property. Depending on the source of the leak, pipes or fixtures that need to be updated, or the complexity of the problem, your home insurance may or may not cover the costs of the water damage. You may have to deal with the repairs/updates out of your pocket, which can become expensive if you don’t have a professional plumber take care of it immediately.

2. OVERFLOWING TOILET

You may likely have to deal with an overflowing toilet if you hear gurgling sounds or notice the water level in the toilet quickly rising. Taking care of this as soon as possible will prevent water damage from occurring or facing unsanitary conditions. If you have to deal with a toilet issue, don’t panic. To immediately prevent the possible consequence of water quickly pooling on the floor, stop the water supply to the toilet by turning off the valve located by the side of the toilet. You could also try to lift the float cup in the toilet tank to stop water flow. Because an overflowing toilet is usually caused by something clogging the pipes/drains, try using a plunger to clear that blockage. If you have one, an auger or a plumber’s snake may also be used. Call a licensed plumber if these don’t work.

3. BLOCKAGE IN DRAINS

If unpleasant odors are coming from your sinks, or you notice that your sinks or shower drains are draining slowly or not draining properly, you may have a clogged or blocked drain. This is most commonly caused by soap or grease buildup, hair, food particles, foreign objects, or tree roots. A quick way to immediately solve this would be to use a sink plunger and then aim to put firm pressure on the opening to the drain. Plumbers have special equipment dealing with clogged drains, so don’t hesitate to call the professionals if you cannot manage this alone.

4. DEFECTIVE WATER HEATER

Lukewarm water, water that doesn’t heat up, or odd noises coming from the water heater may be signs that something is wrong with the water heater. Usually, these are caused by buildup of sediment in the tank or a thermostat problem. Sometimes, there is an issue with the electric (or gas) connection. Try to change the thermostat setting first, as this is the most likely cause and the easiest solution if your water is not heating up. If this does not solve your water heater problem, do not hesitate to call an experienced plumber!

5. SUMP PUMP MALFUNCTION

A sump pump is a device located in a hole in the ground (sump pit) that automatically turns on when it detects rising water levels in that pit. If your home has a basement, most likely, you have a sump pump, which aims to prevent water from flooding your basement or crawl space. If there is water accumulation in your basement, your sump pump may malfunction. Reasons for this include clogging, a faulty switch, or a power outage. There may also be increased debris on the pump screen. In any case, a sump pump malfunction constitutes an emergency. The expertise of a plumber to handle the situation will prevent further flooding that may cause significant damage to your property’s foundation.

6. LEAKING FAUCETS OR FIXTURES

Wondering why your water bill suddenly got higher? A possible cause would be a leak from a faucet or a plumbing fixture. If you were to calculate how much water would be wasted if your leaky faucet produced 1 drip per minute, you would have wasted around 35 gallons of water in a year, according to usgs.gov. If it dripped at 1 drip per second, the waste would be nearly 2,000 to 3,000 gallons! In their estimation, a gallon of water contains about 15,140 drips. Besides the water bill, puddles beneath sinks would indicate a leak. Not only is water being wasted, but damage to your home may also happen if not taken care of. On your own, you can inspect if the faucet washers or gaskets are worn out, so that you can replace them. If there are loose connections such as what may happen if a showerhead is leaking, you can use a wrench and pipe tape to ensure a tight connection. Pipe corrosion and increased water pressure are other possible causes of your leaking faucets or fixtures, which need to be inspected by an expert plumber.

7. SEWER BACKUP OR OVERFLOW

Slow drains and a foul smell are possible indicators of a backed-up sewer that may be due to clogs in the sewer line caused by roots, debris, etc. Heavy rainfall may also overburden the sewer system and result in overflow. Occasionally, damage can occur to the sewer line after normal wear and tear. Sewer backup can result in unsanitary and unsafe conditions and is therefore a major problem. Since this is a complicated scenario, emergency measures are best left to the experts.

These different circumstances call for prompt action. Even though the opportunity to solve the problem yourself is present in some scenarios, the capable attention and management of a plumbing expert ensures that no further damage occurs to your property or plumbing fixtures. You can also avoid costly repairs if you address the problem immediately. Do not hesitate to call on the plumbing professionals at Five Star Home Services for any plumbing emergency. You can trust our expert plumbers to do the job right and promptly, providing you with the help you need during stressful plumbing situations. Call Five Star Home Services now at (833) 405-8009.