A plumbing emergency is any problem in your home’s plumbing that renders your home’s plumbing fixtures unusable. Plumbing emergencies are not only a huge inconvenience but can also cause extensive and expensive damage to your property.
According to the Trumark Management team, the worst thing about plumbing emergencies is that they often happen at the most inopportune time, seemingly without warning. The event’s suddenness makes a plumbing emergency one of the most disruptive problems you can have in your home.
This post will explain the common plumbing emergencies in homes, their causes, and their signs. This information gives you the knowledge you need to maintain your plumbing in ways that will help you avoid emergencies.
Common plumbing emergencies: causes and signs
Pipe leaks
This is the most common plumbing emergency in homes. They can happen anywhere in your plumbing. The main causes of leaky pipes are faulty connections, rust and corrosion blockages, severe water pressure changes, and aging.
A leaky pipe is easy to spot if the water is discharged in an easily accessible part of your home. But leaks can also happen in hidden plumbing parts. Signs of hidden leaks include reduced water pressure, the sound of running water inside walls, watermarks on walls, and unusually high water bills.
Frozen pipes
Burst pipes are the #1 plumbing emergency during winter. This problem happens when water pipes are exposed to cold air, and the water inside them freezes. The freezing water exerts pressure on the pipe as it expands, causing it to rupture.
The damage is later discovered when the water inside the pipe thaws. The clearest sign of a frozen pipe is when you can’t get water from a faucet or fixture. Another sign is when the pipe bulges. To prevent this problem, the plumbing in your home must be winterized.
Drain clogs, overflowing toilets, and sewage backup
A sewer line backs up when its contents flow reversely, causing raw sewage to enter the home. A similar problem is when the toilet overflows and spills its contents on the toilet floor.
Sewer backups and overflowing toilets are caused by severe drain clogs that are not resolved. To prevent these problems, you must know the signs of blocked drains in your home: slow drains (especially multiple drains that are slow at the same time), sewer odors around the house, gurgling sounds from your drains, and pest infestation.
Water heater failure
This is a potentially life-threatening problem, especially in winter. If the water heater is not producing hot water or not producing enough hot water, you cannot do everyday activities like bathing or washing. If the water heater is leaking, it can damage your home.
Water heater problems are caused mainly by improper maintenance of the water heater and the pipe connections. A leaky water heater tank is often the result of aging or corrosion. Water heater problems should always be left to a professional plumber.
What to do during a plumbing emergency
The following steps will help you minimize the effect of a plumbing emergency on your household and property.
Shut off the water supply
If a pipe bursts or leaks in the home, the first step is to shut off the water supply at the closest shut-off valve or the main
Do not use the plumbing fixtures
If an overflowing toilet or clogged drain occurs, do not use the affected fixture. Do not use plumbing fixtures if there is a sewer backup in your home.
Evaluate the situation
Never attempt to fix a plumbing emergency by yourself. Assess the problem to determine its cause and severity. Your observations will help the plumber solve the problem faster.
Document the incident
Take photos and videos of the scene, capturing all visible damage. You will need this information to file your insurance claims.
Contact a professional plumber
Once you have dealt with the immediate threat, call an emergency plumber near you. While the plumber is on his way, you should clear the affected area and secure your items.
Preventing plumbing emergencies
The best way to solve plumbing emergencies is to stop them from happening altogether. You can prevent plumbing emergencies in your home if you do the following:
- Ensure proper disposal of items that can block your toilet drain.
- Never pour fats, oils, grease, and food waste into your kitchen sink.
- Install drain covers on your home’s sink, shower, and floor drains.
- Create and follow a preventive plumbing maintenance schedule for your home.
- Educate your household on the proper use of the home’s plumbing.
Lastly, scheduling a routine inspection of your plumbing by a professional plumber at least once every year is an essential step for detecting problems in the plumbing that can lead to plumbing emergencies in your home.