The human body is composed of different parts, tissues, and organs that make the human body work properly. Sometimes it needs to be noticed since they aren’t visible externally. Similar to your home’s plumbing system, it may feel invisible, and sometimes homeowners forget that this part of the house exists. And just like internal organs, without the plumbing system, the potable water will not be accessible, hot or cold showers will not work, and waste flushing will get stuck.
Blocked drainage systems, broken pipes, and gas leaks are the most common emergencies in residential houses. Plumbing problems like this are why local plumbers receive numerous calls daily. However, there is a way for you to prevent these disasters without calling emergency plumbing services.
The following are the most common examples of plumbing emergencies:
- RUPTURED PIPES
Most of the time, pipes break down for different reasons. First, the pipe is too old, and the structural integrity isn’t that strong, so it can no longer contain high-pressure water, sometimes resulting in bursting out of water. Another example is when a pest like a rodent bit one of your pipes, it will leave a tear and become the damage’s epicenter.
When experiencing a ruptured pipe, shut off your water supply immediately. It can save you a lot of money on your water bill. Also, it can prevent more damage to your home, so make sure to move any furniture near the leakage. Ignoring a ruptured pipe can lead to more damage to your home, so make sure to have a regular checkup and replace old pipes with new ones.
- BURSTING TOILET
Like ruptured pipes, once you have experienced a bursting toilet, shut off the water supply immediately. Although it won’t have a high pressure of water bursting, it can be very unpleasant to experience. It can happen when the toilet is clogged or damaged pipe.
Right after you shut off the water supply, look for the water tap under the water line beside the toilet. Turn the tap counterclockwise, and once the water flow in the bathroom stops, you can quickly locate the malfunction.
If there is a usual clog, use a plunger to unclog it. However, if there is a significant obstruction in the toilet, it may need some specialized equipment, and it will require hiring a professional for the job. Remember that if the bathroom has too much water compressed, it can shatter or even explode, so call your local plumbing services if the water continues.
- WATER HEATER BREAKDOWN
Once the plumbing system has stopped working correctly, other areas will also be affected. Water heater issues don’t include the hot water in the shower and the kitchen tap. It includes dripping tanks, unregulated water temperature, smelly and odd-colored water, and annoying noise from the heater.
If the water isn’t leaking, you can easily flush it down to have clear water without any smell. However, once it leaks, contact a professional immediately. Water heaters have a low chance of exploding, but they can get pretty lethal once they do.
- CLOGGED DUCTS, DOWNSPOUTS, AND ROOFS
These parts are essential to the house’s functionality. It is crucial in your home as it prevents a pool of water in your house. Once these parts of the house get clogged, it can cause water buildup in the kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, and other locations.
It can easily be prevented by cleaning the areas to ensure the water will continue flowing, especially when it rains. Also, check if any trees nearby can obstruct due to fallen leaves. Sweaty walls are also caused by obstructed downspouts and ducts, which are risky for outlets and appliances.
- LEAKING FIXTURES
The most noticeable plumbing problems in the house are leaking water hoses and water taps. Kitchen water taps are the most prone area for leaking water. Although it can be standard, some homeowners often find the situation annoying. The good thing is that it can easily be fixed.
Once you’ve noticed your water tap leaking, shut off the water supply first then you can easily replace the water tap. This sometimes happens due to worn-out fixtures. However, if the water keeps leaking, the problem might be in the pipe, and it might need more expertise than replacing the fixture.
- SEWAGE SYSTEM
The sewers can technically no longer be part of the house. However, this is still included since the functionality of your house’s plumbing system flows to the sewers. This emergency is a nightmare for homeowners as it can get pretty disgusting.
Sewage system repairs have a very high risk due to the danger they can cause to the people in the house. It is dirty, expensive, and troublesome. They can cause diseases, illness, and sometimes even death. It is filled with bacteria, viruses, and pollutants that risk your health.
Once you see clogged drainage, babbling in your toilets, unpleasant odor from the sewer, and witness a buildup of water in your drainage, call a drain cleaning service in San Francisco immediately.
- SWEATING WALLS
This situation occurs when the water within the pipe gets colder than the surrounding humidity. Although most of the time can experience it during winter, it can also happen during summer. Once the humid and hot air reaches the cool pipes, droplets of moisture and sweat will occur as if there’s a small pit.
Your walls will absorb the heat from the surroundings. When the heat absorbs the moisture, it will liquidate, and the walls start to sweat, creating a puddle. This is a dangerous thing to experience, especially for your electrical outlets.
- LOW WATER PRESSURE
The last one on this list is low water pressure. This is one of the most annoying things, especially in the morning. Taking a shower with poor water pressure is a headache. Although it is normal, this is a sign of a massive issue in your plumbing.
There are multiple reasons for the poor water pressure in your show and water taps. Expansions on installation, blockages, closed water valve, and pressure relief valve. These are the most common issues that can occur when you suffer from poor water pressure.
WHAT TO DO IN THESE SITUATIONS?
First, don’t ever panic under any circumstances. Once you experience these plumbing emergencies, contact a plumbing specialist right away. A professional can fix the issue immediately if there’s a clogged sewer or damage in the main pipe or sewer pipe.
The next thing that you can do is call your local plumbing services. Always provide complete information about what is happening, as it can help your plumber find the problem quickly. Expert and skilled plumbers have handled and controlled numerous situations like this.
Remember that this guide is for you to know what to do in these situations and understand the causes of plumbing emergencies. Now that you have understood, if there are minor issues, you can quickly fix them yourself. But if you need drain cleaning and plumbing in San Francisco, don’t hesitate to call an expert.