Common Plumbing Emergencies and How to Deal With Them

As a homeowner, fewer things are more frustrating than plumbing emergencies. A home needs proper plumbing to function properly. When you have a plumbing emergency, you need to know how to react. Although some plumbing emergencies require a plumber, there are some issues you can resolve yourself. The following are examples of common plumbing emergencies and what you need to do to resolve them as quickly as possible.

Clogged and Overflowing Toilets

A clogged toilet can leave a major mess in a bathroom. The first step in resolving the problem is to determine the cause. Next, you need to turn off the water flow to the toilet to prevent further messes. To do this, you simply need to turn the water valve off. You can find the valve on the side of the toilet near the bottom. Turn the valve counterclockwise to turn it off. After the water is no longer accessible, you will be better able to find out what is causing the problem.

If the water was continuously flowing, you should check the float mechanism in the tank. Make sure the chain connected to the float is not broken. If it is, you need to replace the float mechanism. You can do this yourself rather easily or you can have your plumber take care of it. Do not turn the water valve back on or use the toilet until the float mechanism is replaced.

If your issue is a clog, you may be able to resolve it by plunging it several times. If the clog is deep or very large, it may need to be snaked out by a plumber. Once the clog is resolved, you can turn the water valve on and resume using the toilet.

Leaky Pipes

Leaky pipes can be frustrating because determining the cause is often time-consuming. You have to determine where the leak is occurring to make the repair. If the leak stems from a loose joint, you just need to tighten the pipe using a wrench. If you see water coming from any part of the pipe that is not a joint, you may be able to patch it with a rubber patch or with waterproof tape. If none of these steps fix the problem, you need to call a plumber. If it is a true emergency and the pipe is leaking significantly, you need to contact a plumber who offers emergency services.

Busted Pipes

Busted pipes can be a major emergency. This issue is most often caused by pipe corrosion that has happened over a long period of time. Your first step is to turn off the water supply to the house. You should remove any items, such as furniture from the area to avoid further damage. You will need a plumber to replace the busted pipe.

To learn more, contact a plumber.


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