EMERGENCY PLUMBING SITUATIONS
There are a lot of situations that warrant an emergency need for a plumber in the plumbing Atlanta system. If you have plumbing issues in your household and you can identify the problem and stop the flow of unwanted water without shutting down your entire household’s access to water, you can probably wait to have the problem resolved during normal business hours. If you can’t stop the water, smell gas, or have sewage backing up into your home, call for a plumber immediately.
How to know when a Plumber Is needed Immediately
Every situation is different, but there are general guidelines that separate a routine plumbing problem from a plumbing emergency. Any plumbing problem that results in serious property damage or endangers people should be considered an emergency situation. The following situations require immediate attention:
1. Burst Water Pipe
As soon as you discover a burst pipe, shut off the main water supply and immediately call for emergency plumbing services. If you can do it safely, turn off the electricity to your home. If the burst pipe fills your basement with deep water, it’s important to stay out of the water due to the possibility of electrocution.If only a small amount of water has accumulated, you should still turn off the power while you wait for emergency commercial plumber Atlanta services.
2. Leaky Pipe
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, about 20 percent of American homes are lose gallons of water a day due to leaky pipes. Asides from the fact that this wastes water and runs up water bills, leaky pipes can lead to expensive property damage. Even a small leak can become an emergency if left unrepaired. Whether it’s a small leak or a large one, it’s important to have leaks repaired quickly to minimize damage.
3. Broken Water Main
The water main is the line that links the plumbing system in your home to the public water supply. Homeowners are responsible for any water main repairs from the curb to their property. Broken water mains can cause considerable damage to your home and property if not detected and repaired quickly. Common signs of a broken water line include soggy areas in the yard, unexplained high water bills, poor water quality, and very low water pressure. Since water mains are buried underground, detecting a leak can take some time. Professional plumber in Atlanta have sophisticated tools to be able to detect the source of the leak quickly.
4. Clogs
A single sink clog might be something you can clear with a plunger. If you have a clog you can’t clear or clogs in multiple fixtures, there is likely a deeper problem in the drain system. Clogs like this can result in leaky pipes and lead to serious property damage.
Serious clogs often lead to leaks that then cause structural damage or even raw sewage backups. Clogs must be located and cleared quickly. Ignoring recurring clogs can lead to damaged pipes that may have to be completely replaced, resulting in higher expenses
5. Frozen Water Pipes
Even if you live in an area where freezing temperatures are rare, it’s important to protect your pipes from freezing. When the water in a pipe freezes, the pipe expands. This expansion can cause cracks, which means once the pipe thaws, it becomes a flooding risk.
When you discover a frozen pipe, it’s important to start the thawing process as soon as possible and to do it properly. Many times, DIYers attempt to thaw a frozen pipe quickly by applying intense heat which can result in further damage to the pipes.
Frozen pipes need to be thawed slowly and safely. A plumber will know how to do it properly and inspect for damage as the pipe thaws.
6. Gas Leaks
Plumbers frequently work with copper pipes and natural gas furnace connections. If you smell a sulfurous odor in or around your home, evacuate immediately and call an emergency plumber and your gas company. Leaking gas is an emergency situation that only a professional can handle.
Gas leaks can cause massive property damage as well as deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. If you believe you have a gas leak, evacuate people and pets and then call for help immediately.
7. Clogged Sewer Line
A blockage in your main sewer line can have serious consequences that require emergency plumbing services. Multiple drain clogs, water pooling around basement floor drains, and gurgling sounds coming from plumbing fixtures are signs of a sewer system backup.
When a sewer line backs up, sewage sits at its backup point and creates a health hazard. If a clog is serious enough, raw sewage can back up into your home, putting your family at risk. It’s necessary to call a plumber to remedy the problem immediately.
8. Overflowing Toilet
A clogged toilet is a problem but an overflowing toilet is an emergency. The cause of an overflowing toilet could be fairly simple or it could be a sign of a more significant plumbing problem. While you wait for the plumber to arrive, shut off the water to the toilet and don’t attempt to flush or unclog it on your own.
9. Malfunctioning Hot Water Heater
Most homeowners call for water heater services because their water is either too hot or too cold. Other water heater problems require immediate attention.
Strange noises or any noticeable leaks should be dealt with quickly. A leaking water heater may be an easy repair but sometimes leaks are a sign of a bigger problem. Leaks can be caused by corrosion or damaged heating elements and valves. In rare cases, a leaking water heater may be a sign of water pressure building up inside the tank which can lead to an explosion.
Conclusion
Plumbing problems always seem to happen at night or on the weekends. When you are faced with a plumbing emergency, time is of the essence. Many homeowners delay in calling a plumber for emergency repairs because they worry about added costs. But they do not know that tey are not meant to pay extra for plumbing emergencies.