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What To Know About Emergency Plumbing Situations

admin • May 22, 2017

Every homeowner will have to deal with some plumbing emergencies at some point. The plumbing problems you experience in your home can be annoying to handle, and although most of these problems fall under the Do It Yourself (DIY) category, some require the immediate attention of a plumber. Plumbing emergencies can cause a lot of damage to your home, and due to this, it is best when they are handled by a professional. Some of the situations when you will need emergency plumbing are gas leaks, sewer backups, broken pipes, frozen pipes and breakdown of heating systems. Below is what you need to know and do in case any of the following plumbing emergencies occur.

 

Broken And Leaking Pipes

 

 

If you happen to experience broken or leaking pipes , the first thing you should do is to turn off the main water valve and then contact an emergency plumber. If you can’t locate the main water valve, contact a plumber to look over your home and enlighten you on the valves to turn off in the case of an emergency. Broken or leaking pipes cannot be fixed by DIY; they should always be repaired and replaced by a contracting professional. Ensure that the plumber checks the entire plumbing system for any other possible damages. To fix the leaks temporarily, put rags and towels around the pipes and put buckets under the pipes to collect any dripping water and avoid further damage.

 

Gas Leaks

 

If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak in your home, the first thing you need to do is to switch off the main valve and then contact an emergency plumber. If you leave a gas leak unattended, it can lead to serious injury and damage to property. So it’s important to call an emergency plumber who staffs licensed master gas fitters as soon as you smell gas.

 

Sewer Backups

 

The sewer line removes all waste from your home and pipes it to the sewer beneath your street. In case your sewer becomes corroded, or tree roots invade it, it can break, and this requires the attention of a plumber. You can identify a sewer backup by clogged drains, uneven levels of water in the toilets, stains in the basement and a foul smell in your home. If you find yourself experiencing all this, you should contact an emergency professional to investigate the situation as soon as possible.

 

Broken Central Heating

 

Central heating issues become an emergency if they happen during the winter season in a home with young children, seniors or people with bad health conditions. Some central heating problems can be fixed quickly, such as a tripped circuit breaker, an empty oil tank and a switched off the thermostat. If you check all these and cannot find the reason why the heating system stopped working, the next step is to call an emergency plumber.

In conclusion, you should maintain your plumbing system properly to reduce the risk of an emergency occurring.  If you find yourself in any of these plumbing situations, you should call an emergency plumber for professional help. Make sure that you listen to any advice given to you by the plumber and know how you will take care of the plumbing situation before help arrives.

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