A plumbing emergency isn’t something that you want to deal with, especially in the middle of a hectic week. But, there are times when the unexpected strikes, and the result could be a plumbing disaster. This article will discuss the most common Denver plumbing disasters, as well as what you can do to protect your own plumbing system against a sudden catastrophe.
Common Plumbing Emergencies
Burst Pipe
When you think of a plumbing emergency, a burst pipe may be one of the first things to come to mind. In Denver, freezing temperatures during the winter months can cause water to freeze inside of the pipes, which is a common cause of a pipe burst. In old homes with outdated plumbing, a burst pipe can also be caused by the deterioration of old pipes. No matter the cause, a burst pipe is a plumbing emergency that can cause flooding and extensive damage within your home.
Prevention
To prevent a pipe burst in your home, make sure to keep the heater on at all times during the winter so that your home doesn’t drop below freezing. Also, especially if you have older pipes, have your plumbing checked regularly by your Denver plumbing team. If it’s severely deteriorated, make sure to have the pipes replaced to avoid damage.
Sewer Backup
The sewer is the place where waste ends up after you flush it. If there’s a sewer backup, you’ll probably notice the unpleasant odor before anything else. This is a plumbing emergency because sewage presents a significant health risk to your entire household. Waste is unsanitary and can make people sick. So, if you notice the telltale odor of a sewer backup, call your Denver plumbers immediately so that the emergency can be resolved ASAP.
Prevention
Sewer backup can be caused by damage to the sewer lateral, which is the pipeline that connects your house to the main sewer line. Having your plumbing team conduct regular maintenance on your plumbing system can help catch problems with the sewer lateral before it results in a backup. Additionally, proper disposal of grease and paper products can help prevent the clogs that may lead to a sewer backup.
Overflowing Toilet
There’s no explanation needed as to why an overflowing toilet is an emergency. An overflowing toilet may be caused by a clogged drain, a blocked vent pipe, or a poorly adjusted float. In any case, an overflowing toilet can lead to significant wastewater damage in your home.
Once a toilet is already overflowing, a plunger will do little to fix the issue. In this case, you’ll need your Denver plumbers to come to your home and fix the issue before it leads to further damage.
Prevention
To prevent an overflowing toilet, do what you can to avoid toilet clogs. This means that you should only ever flush toilet paper, and that you should check the toilet mechanics periodically for problems. If a clog occurs, make sure that it’s completely taken care of before continuing to use the toilet. For major clogs, you’ll need the help of a professional plumber to get your toilet back up and running normally.
No Hot Water
During Denver winters, the last thing that your household will want to deal with is no hot water. Not being able to hop in a hot shower at the end of a frigid winter day is disappointing, to say the least! Plus, you’ll likely have trouble running the dishwasher and washing machine without hot water.
If your home isn’t getting hot water, there are several potential issues that could be affecting your hot water heater. The heating mechanism or the dip tube may be broken. It’s also possible that there’s buildup within the water take. Whatever the issue, the team at Drain Terriers can check it out and get your hot water heater back in good condition.
Prevention
To prevent damage to your hot water heater, you can:
- Insulate the hot water heater
- Flush accumulated sediment from the water heater
- Schedule professional maintenance
Emergency Plumbing Services in Denver
Drain Terrier is a trusted plumbing company in Denver. We’re here to serve all of your ongoing and emergency plumbing needs! Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
