When a Plumber Emergency Strikes
A plumber emergency can happen to anybody, anytime, during the middle of the night, on holidays, or even when you’re out of town. And when you wake up in the middle of the day, exhausted and feeling like you’ve been hit by a truck, you can count on Drain Terrier in Littleton, Colorado, to help you resolve your plumbing issues.
Plumbing problems are common in homes across America. Whether you’re dealing with a clogged toilet or a broken pipe, it’s essential to know what to do to avoid major plumbing emergencies. Drain and sewer lines can become blocked due to debris build-up or tree roots growing into pipes. This can lead to water damage and costly repairs. If you suspect a problem, call a plumber immediately. Otherwise, you could end up with a bigger mess than what you started.
We know how frustrating it can be when a plumbing issue occurs outside of regular business hours. That’s where we come into play. If you choose Drain Terrier, you can rest assured knowing that you’ll always receive prompt and reliable service, no matter what time of day or night it happens.
Plumber Emergency #1: Leaking Faucets
Faucet leaks are one of the most common plumbing emergencies. Worn-down parts inside the fixture usually cause them. These parts include the valve stem and rubber washers. Over time, these parts can become loose and allow water to escape into the sink area.
A dripping water fixture in the bathroom or kitchen can lead to severe issues such as rusting pipes, mold growth, and even structural damage. Leaky fixtures can become drains on your wallet, and the cost of fixing them could cause significant damage to your home. Call a plumbing expert immediately if you notice water leaking into your basement or crawlspace.
A leaking faucet wastes much water. If you don’t know how to repair one, there are several things you can do to save money:
- Turn off the main valve handle and wait 30 seconds.
- Turn on each fixture and let it run for 15 minutes. This will flush out any remaining water inside the pipes.
- Shut off the water supply valves and let the pipes drain completely.
- Check the connections on the fixtures and tighten them up if necessary.
You’ll want to ensure everything is tight enough that the leak won’t happen again.
Plumber Emergency #2: Clogged Sinks
Clogged sinks are plumbing nightmares. They’re the bane of every homeowner’s existence and require immediate attention. While some clogs are easy to fix, others can cause damage to pipes, fixtures, and appliances. If you suspect a problem, it’s essential to act fast. Here are some things to keep in mind if you think your sink might be clogged.
- Know What Causes Clogging
In most cases, clogs stem from food particles getting stuck in drains. When that happens, bacteria begin growing inside the pipe, causing odors and creating a breeding ground for germs. To prevent this, make sure you regularly clean out your drains.
- Check Your Drain Line
The easiest way to determine whether your sink is clogged is to check your drain line. Look for signs of debris build-up. If you see anything, use a plunger to dislodge whatever is blocking the drain. If you can’t find anything, call a plumber.
- Use Cleaning Products Safely
If you clear away the blockage, don’t forget about the rest of your home. Make sure to rinse everything down thoroughly. Also, avoid pouring cleaners directly into the sink; doing so could force the chemicals into your pipes and potentially damage them. Instead, run the cleaner into a bucket and add hot water to dilute the solution. Then, let the mixture sit overnight. In the morning, empty the bucket and flush the sink.
Plumber Emergency #3: Clogged Toilet
Toilets are the most common plumbing fixture in the typical American household. They’re also one of the most vulnerable to problems. From leaks to overflows, there are several different ways that a toilet can become clogged.
This plumbing problem is also a potential health hazard to you and your family. If left unchecked, a toilet overflow could cause severe damage to floors, walls, furniture, and other items around the home. While there are many causes of toilet overflows, one common culprit is a clogged toilet. A clogged toilet can lead to sewage backup into the bathroom sink, tub, shower stall, floor, or even outside the house. When this happens, it can spread bacteria throughout the entire bathroom area. In addition, a flooded bathroom can ruin expensive carpets and upholstery.
A blocked toilet is one of those things you hope never happens. Unfortunately, it does happen to many people. When a clogged drain isn’t fixed quickly, sewage backs up into the home and causes health issues.
Here are a few reasons why your toilet may not be flushing correctly:
- Flushing non-flushable objects such as cotton balls, paper towels, and tissues.
- Flushing too much material at once
- Using bleach or harsh chemicals
- Not replacing filters regularly
- Overflowing the tank
Plumber Emergency #4: No Hot Water
If your home doesn’t have hot running water, there are some things you can do to make sure you’re prepared for a plumbing emergency. No hot water is a common problem. Sometimes, it seems like every night, there is a different reason your hot water isn’t working. You might think your hot water tank is empty, but it might just be sediment build-up. Or maybe the temperature sensor is broken. Perhaps there is something wrong with the thermostat. Whatever the case, Drain Terrier can help!
Here are some other things to keep in mind when looking into why your hot water might be running low:
- Make sure the water heater has enough capacity to meet your household’s needs.
- Consider the size of your home and whether it can accommodate a larger unit.
- Keep an eye out for signs that the tank is leaking or damaged.
- You can also ask your plumber about installing a backup system.
Your water heater must constantly run to keep warm water flowing into your home. If no flames are coming out of the pilot light, turn off the gas valve and wait 30 minutes for the flame to go out. Then, open the gas cap and look inside to see if it appears complete. You’ll want to use a wrench to loosen the valve and allow some air to enter the tank. Once you’ve done that, close the valve and let the gas flow back into the tank. Turn the gas valve back on and wait five minutes for the flame to go out again. Now, test the temperature of the water with a thermometer in several places throughout your house. If you still have hot water problems, call us at Drain Terrier. We’ll come out and take care of the problem quickly and efficiently.
Whether you have an electrical water heater or a gas one, it can break down and stop producing hot water without warning. Gas water heaters are much easier to repair than electric ones, however. The gas supply and gas valves may fail, causing no hot water. Electric water heaters require a professional technician to replace the heating element.
Plumber Emergency #5: Frozen Pipes
Temperatures below freezing can cause pipe insulation to expand and freeze, causing leaks; if your house has plumbing near exterior walls, open cabinet doors to let warm air inside. You can also use a slow trickle of cold water to prevent pipes from bursting.
If you wake up on a cold winter morning and find that the water coming out of your kitchen sink isn’t flowing freely, there are some things you can do to fix the problem yourself. For example, if the pipes aren’t too old, you might try turning off the main valve. But if the pipes are older and the house is newer, you’ll want to call a professional.
A quick inspection of the plumbing system could reveal whether or not a pipe has burst and what needs to be done to repair it. A burst pipe won’t cause much damage in many cases unless it happens during a heavy rainstorm or snowfall. However, if the pipe bursts while the home is occupied, it could lead to significant flooding and severe health issues. So it’s essential to act quickly.
The best way to determine whether or not a pipe is broken is to look for signs of leaking water. Water running down the wall or floor indicates something is wrong. If you see water running into the basement, you know the leak is most likely located near the foundation. And if you hear water gurgling under the floorboards, you’ll probably find the leak inside the walls.
Before calling a plumber, you don’t necessarily need to wait for the water drip from the ceiling. If unsure how to proceed, you can always ask a neighbor or family member for advice. They’ll probably tell you to call a plumber immediately.
Need Help With a Plumber Emergency?
Drain Terrier LLC is a local plumber serving Denver and Littleton, Colorado. Our goal is to provide you with quality plumbing workmanship and reliable service. We do it all, whether it’s a clogged toilet, sink, garbage disposal, water heater, gas leak, burst pipe, sewer backup, or anything else.
Our highly trained technicians provide fast, friendly service with no hidden fees. We guarantee satisfaction, and we stand behind our work. If there is ever a problem, we fix it free of charge.
We know how frustrating plumbing issues can be, and we want to help make your life easier. Call us today for same-day service, or schedule an appointment online.
