Blog

Photo By BanksPhotos at istock

The thing about plumbing emergencies is that they always seem to come out of nowhere, even if there is evidence that proves they probably did not. However, just because you are having an issue with your plumbing does not mean that you need to immediately call the plumber. Sometimes you will do just fine waiting until the morning or the next day, but you also don’t want to make the wrong call since water damage can happen quickly and a small leak or clog has the potential to change in a pretty bad situation pretty quickly.

With that in mind, if you are a homeowner in Dalworthington, TX it may be time to learn a bit more about what constitutes a plumbing emergency and what is simply a plumbing issue. This simple fact can save you a lot of stress and potentially a lot of damage. Of course, keep in mind that this is just a list of potential things to consider. If you ever have any doubt about what you should do about a plumbing issue then you should always call your local plumber. A lot of plumbing companies can give you some advice or at least offer you some reassurance that it is okay to wait, and if they are not sure it is always better to go ahead and book an after-hours visit.

It doesn’t take much with plumbing-based emergencies to ruin your day from an overflowing toilet to a sink that is filled up way too high. However, before you start to get anxious or decide to just head back to bed and pull the covers over your head, take a quick look at the following plumbing tips to see if you really need a Dalworthington, TX plumbing company right this minute.

Can You Stop a Leak or Water Flow?

Most people panic when they first see an overflowing toilet or sink. However, after you initial panic, stop and think about whether or not you can actively stop the leak or water flow. There is usually a shut-off valve behind the toilet that will stop all water from filling the toilet which will then prevent any links. The same can be said for a lot of modern sinks. If you can stop water from flowing to the affected fixture then you don’t have to worry about immediate damage.

This can buy you some time to call a plumbing service to come in the next couple of days unless it is the only fixture of its type in your home. For instance, if the toilet you shut off is the only toilet in your home you will probably still need to call an emergency plumbing company. Otherwise, if you can turn off the fixture and avoid use for a couple of days then you can reasonably wait until your Dalworthington, TX plumber can fit you into their normal schedule which might help you save a bit and make the situation a little easier for you to handle since you won’t have to immediately call off work.

What Kind of Leak Are You Dealing With?

Next, you need to evaluate the type of leak you are dealing with. If you have a broken pipe that is spewing water all over your basement this is clearly a sign that you need an emergency plumber, however, if the leak is a small drip that can be contained in a bucket then you may have a day to wait. At the very least, you can wait until the morning to call for help. On the other hand, if your bucket is full within the hour, then you probably want to call and get a plumbing company out to your home.

The main problem with a steady leak is that it will only get worse, and as the pressure builds around that small leaking point what was containable may become a burst pipe. There is a distinct difference between a small drip and a steady and voluminous leak. Once again, if you are unsure what to do, then grab a bucket and measure how much water is left at the end of the hour. Of course, if you can just turn off the fixture as mentioned above, that is the ideal solution.

Most newer homes will have individual shut-off values by almost all local fixtures, but a lot of older homes will not have the same accessibility. If you need to shut off your water main in order to stop the water from leaking, then you know you have a plumbing emergency. You cannot live without water, so if your only option is to turn off the water main then once you do so you need to call a Dalworthington, TX plumber to assist you with a more permanent solution.

Is the Issue Related to Your Health?

Next, you need to think about whether or not waiting for a plumber will affect the health of people in your home. Water is essential to your health, especially if there are young people or children living in the home that might not be able to access water in other formats. Keep in mind that in general water is needed for just about every activity that takes place in your home from washing yourself in the shower to washing your clothes to boiling water and cooking food. It is usually pretty safe to assume that if you do not have access to water you need to call a plumber.

How Important Is the Plumbing Fixture in Question?

Once again, before deciding whether you need an emergency plumber or not you need to consider how important the plumbing fixture is to the overall function of your home. While it may be a pain to share the same bathroom for a few days, it is not an impossible task. On the other hand, life without a kitchen sink or a water heater may be near impossible. You will have to make this decision on y9our own, but usually, it is pretty obvious what you can and cannot live without.

Are You Dealing with a Burst Pipe?

A burst pipe is one of the few things that it is easy to say is an emergency plumbing job every single time. There is no scenario in which a pipe bursts where you do not need to immediately call a plumber and get help. Outside of being a huge mess, burst pipes can cause thousands of dollars of water damage very quickly that will continue to haunt you as you will need to list the flood repair remediation in your home documents should you ever sell your home down the road.

Believe it or not, a burst pipe can release thousands of gallons of water in just a few minutes, so unless you want to go swimming in your basement, bathroom, or wherever the pipe happens to be located you need to turn off your water immediately and call a plumber for help. Anytime you need to shut off the main water supply it becomes a job for a Dalworthington, TX plumbing professional.

Do You Smell Gas?

If your concern is your water heater, then you should know that any hint of gas is an immediate emergency. It is possible for your water heater to have a gas leak that could be potentially dangerous for everyone in your home. If you notice the smell of gas you should turn off the emergency gas shutoff valve near your tank and then call a plumber as soon as possible. If you do not know how to turn off the gas then you need to exit your home and from a safe distance call a plumber or the local fire department or gas supplier for immediate assistance.

This is not something that you want to play around with because gas is extremely combustible and can result in a fire or an explosion. Water heaters have been known to explode in instances where the pressure has become too high or when the gas relief valve is faulty so any indication that either of those situations may be imminent is a call to immediately contact an emergency plumber in Dalworthington, TX, and get help.

Do You Have Multiple Clogged Toilets or Sinks In Your Home?

While one sink or toilet is an issue, it is something you can potentially avoid while you wait for a plumber. However, if you have multiple clogged toilets or sinks in your home then you need to start thinking about a larger blockage. When there are multiple toilet backups in your home or multiple sinks with clogs/draining slowly this probably means that you have a sewage backup in the sewer line. At this point, it is only a matter of time until the blockage will force raw sewage to push back into your home.

If you have ever had the unpleasant surprise of finding a sewage backup at your floor drain then you know how disgusting and damaging a backup can be. Therefore, it is a much better idea to stay ahead of the situation by noting that you have multiple clogged drains or toilets and quickly calling in a plumber that can clean out your drains before this occurs.

As a side note, one of the benefits of having a professional take care of the drain cleaning for you is that they can assess what is causing the backup so that you can hopefully prevent it in the future. Some things such as poor drain habits or a dislodged toy can easily be stopped from hurting your drains again. Other things such as invasive tree roots may require a more long-term plumbing treatment plan which a professional plumber can help assist you with.

Have You Discovered a Water Heater Leak?

Anytime you spot a water heater leak is considered a plumbing emergency because of the large scope of damage that one simple leak can do in a somewhat small amount of time. In fact, it doesn’t take very long at all for a small leak to cause a moisture build-up that will leave mold, mildew, and other health issues around your water heater. In addition, water damage to belongings that are near your water heater is a very real possibility when a water heater leak is involved. The best thing you can do if you notice a plumbing leak is immediately to call a plumber and then start to drain the tank if you know how to do this. If you don’t, then let the plumber know so they can expedite your visit and help to address the issues in your basement. Depending on the source of the leak you may need water heater repair but in some instances, you will need water heater replacement.

Are You Experiencing Issues with Your Sump Pump?

Finally, if you are experiencing issues with your sump pump then you may need to consider calling a plumber sooner than later since a malfunctioning sump pump can potentially lead to plumbing in your home, which once again increases the risk of food damage. In fact, the main issue with most plumbing issues is that they all carry a risk for flooding with them which is the worst-case scenario in almost every situation. However, depending on how much your area receives floodwaters a malfunctioning sump pump may not be an emergency. If the forecast looks dry for a while you can reasonably turn off the pump and wait for a plumber to be available to take a look.

Whether you end up needing emergency plumbinghttps://benjaminfranklinplumbingfortworth.com/ repair or a scheduled plumbing repair visit, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth can help. If you are having issues within your Dalworthington, TX home and need some help, call to talk to one of our plumbers today.