Sometimes the things we take most for granted lie right below our feet. Since the time of the Romans, the civilized world has relied on running water. Unfortunately, we don’t miss a good thing until it’s gone.
Most plumbing problems are preventable with regular maintenance and check-ups, just as with automobiles. But water pipes and drains don’t come with a flashing “Check Engine” light, so homeowners usually don’t realize they have a water leak or clogging issue until they’re standing in a cold shower or water from a backed-up drain.
That’s where emergency plumbers come in handy. Whether it’s a clogged toilet during the holidays when the entire family is over, or a burst pipe flooding your basement at 9:00 pm, 24-hour plumbing services are needed to solve the problem.
Here are the 5 most common plumbing situations that require a call to an emergency plumber:
1. Broken Water Pipes
When a water leak occurs, the homeowner must locate the main shutoff valve to prevent the house from becoming flooded. Though this will stop the flooding, now there is no water available in the house. The emergency plumber’s job is to locate the leak, cut out the pipe, and replace it with new piping so that water may be restored.
2. Blocked Drains
Blocked drains can cause an overflow of sewage and uncontrolled water inside the house. This is something that must be dealt with immediately by a 24-hour plumbing service. Drain cleaning equipment will also be required to unclog the drain of any debris.
3. Frozen Water Pipes
Frozen water pipes occur during the winter months when temperatures drop below freezing. When water in the pipes freezes, they expand, causing them to rupture and break. Immediately turn off the main shutoff valve and contact a reputable 24-hour plumbing service.
4. Gas Leaks
Immediately evacuate the home at the smell of gas. Gas leaks pose a major threat to health and safety, and should not be repaired by the homeowner. These leaks are often caused by old and/or ruptured gas lines. Call a professional plumbing service that has a gasfitter on staff, as well as your utility company, to properly resolve the leak.
5. Broken Water Lines
Some water leaks and pipe fractures may extend outside the house. Underground waterlines are susceptible to cracking, breaking, and corroding over time. This can mostly be the fault of old construction materials, poor pipe fitting, or unauthorized digging that severed the line. To fix this, the plumbing repair service must find the underground leak and contact an excavating service to unearth the broken pipe so it may be repaired.
Many homeowners may not realize it, but when their water is “on hold”, so are their lives. Life is unpredictable and so are home repairs. When a plumbing emergency happens, don’t be caught standing in a cold shower or trying to stop an overflowing toilet with a plunger — call a professional 24-hour emergency service like Accro Plumbing!
