When something goes wrong with your plumbing, you may automatically assume that it is an emergency right from the start. But not everything is a big emergency that requires the plumber to get out to your home right away. Some issues can wait a bit longer until a plumber has time and you can shop around for the best rates as well, while other situations need someone there as soon as possible. But how do you know the difference between a plumbing emergency and a regular plumbing issue?
Recognizing a Plumbing Emergency
When we talk about a plumbing emergency, we are looking for any unexpected and urgent plumbing issue that needs to be repaired or given attention right away. These can result in a good amount of damage to your property if you do not address them immediately. The severity of your emergency will depend on the situation at hand, but some common plumbing emergencies include:
# Burst pipes: If a pipe bursts in your home, then you need to contact a plumber to come and take care of the issue right away. A burst pipe can occur when the integrity of the pipe is compromised, causing water to come out uncontrollably. This can lead to a lot of flooding all over the place as well as damage to your belongings, floors, and walls.
# Water leaks: A water leak can occur from faulty plumbing fixtures, appliances, and pipes. A small leak may not seem like that big of a deal, but it can cause water damage to the surrounding area and even mold growth if you do not work to fix it as soon as possible.
# Sewer backups: This can happen when the waste water from your home fails to flow properly, which will lead to sewage that backs up into the drains, toilets, and sinks. This can cause a number of issues like foul odors, unsanitary conditions, and even some potential health hazards along the way.
# Frozen pipes: If the weather gets really bad or you do not have proper insulation in. your home, then it is possible for the pipes to freeze in. your home. When they freeze, they will start to expand and could potentially rupture as well. This can result in some water damage and you may not be able to get some of the water supply that you need throughout the home.
# Gas leaks: While this may not seem like a problem that has to do with plumbing, gas leaks are an emergency that you should not ignore. The release of natural or propane gas can pose some serious health risks for you and other members of your family. You need to call in a plumbing professional to come and handle this issue.
While not all plumbing problems are going to be an emergency, you will find that some of the options above are going to qualify and when they happen, you will need to call in the plumbing professionals to help out. If you have something like a slow drain or a dripping faucet, then this is something you can wait for a bit until normal business hours with the plumber to get it done. But if your pipes burst, you will need to call someone in right away.
What Should I Do If I Have a Plumbing Emergency
If you do experience some of the plumbing emergencies from above, then you may start to panic and worry about how to handle them. There are some simple steps you can take to handle these emergencies including:
# Stay calm: You may feel a little panicked when you have this emergency, but stay calm and composed the whole time. This will help you think clearly while you get things handled during the emergency.
# Turn off the water supply: Next, you need to go through and locate the main water shut-off valve in the home and then turn it off to stop the flow of water. This will stop some of the flooding and minimize the water damage so that you can work on cleaning it up rather than having it get worse for you. You need to get familiar with the location of the shut-off valve as soon as possible so you know where it is in an emergency.
# Assess the situation: Determine how severe the emergency is. If it is a minor issue that you can handle on your own, then go ahead and do that. If it is a complex or dangerous issue, then you can talk to a plumber to help instead.
# Contact a professional plumber: If you are not able to handle the plumbing issue on your own, then it is time to call in a professional plumber to get things done for you as soon as possible.
# Take the necessary safety precautions: If there is a gas leak or the potential for an electrical issue, then leave the home right away. You should not try to fix these situations on your own. Bring in the professionals to keep you safe.
# Contain the damage: While you are waiting for a plumber, you should see what you can do to contain the damage. You can soak up some of the water, close off the area that is damaged, and move valuables and furniture out of the way to make sure it is safe.
Finding the right plumber in Phoenix is going to take some time and you need to research to find who can do the best work for the project at hand. There are many plumbers out there who make big claims about the kind of work they can provide to you, but most of them will leave you in the dust and do not provide the high-quality work that you are looking for. But when you are ready to upgrade the plumbing in your home or you have a plumbing emergency, then it is time to call our team right away. We have the tools and experience to handle some of the work and can make sure that you will get the plumbing problem fixed as soon as possible. Trust us for all of your plumbing needs today.
We hope you found this blog post on What is a Plumbing Emergency? useful. Be sure to check out our post on Top Plumbing Tips when Moving into a New Home for more great tips!
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