Top Tips for Handling the Most Common Plumbing Emergencies

Plumbing emergencies happen when you least expect them and can wreak havoc on your interior. That’s why you need to know how to handle them in case they happen in the middle of the night when you might not be able o call for a service repair team. Have you ever dealt with a burst pipe or a clogged toilet? What about a leaky faucet? Don’t worry if you haven’t because we know all the right ways to handle plumbing emergencies in your home.

Leaky faucets

A leaking faucet can add dozens of dollars to your water bill. Aside from an increase in the bill, the water can cause mold in the pipes as a result of rust forming inside the pipe. To avoid jeopardizing your family’s health, you’ll need to fix the leaking pipe. Start by turning off the water supply in the room, or an entire house if necessary. After removing the decorative parts of the handle knobs, unscrew the screw that mounts the handle to the stem underneath each knob. You’ll need to remove the handle very gently with a flat head. Loose the packing nut with a wrench, and you’ll notice the stem that you will need to remove. If the parts are not damaged, inspect the O-ring and washer inside the valve seat. Put a replacement inside the washer sheet after removing the old one. All that’s left is for you to put all the faucet parts back together and test the faucet for leaks.

Burst pipes

Once a pipe bursts, your home is at risk of a flood. Pipes burst when the water pressure build-up increases significantly in the weak water joint of a pipe. Don’t let your home suffer damage, but try to fix the emergency as professionally as possible. First, you’ll want to turn the water supply off and drain the system. In case the heating pipe was the one to burst you’ll need to turn off all the water heating systems, including central heating and immersion heater. Check where the pipe is leaking after it burs, and check if you can quickly fix it by tightening a screw fitting. Split and pierced pipes will require replacement. You can find a DIY plumbing emergency kit online, buy it and find the instructions to replace the pipe inside the kit.

Overflowing toilet

Were you about to use the toilet only to find it overflowing? Don’t panic, but try to fix it as soon as possible to avoid adding a charge to your water bill, as well as prevent wastewater damage. You can try to use a plunger to unclog it, but we recommend you call the pros. You’ll need to pay for professional Chiswick Plumbing services to ensure the underlying issues are fixed of an overflowing toilet are fixed too. When a plumber arrives, they will guide you through the best options to help resolve the problem of an overflowing toilet. Allow the plumber to identify the cause of the backed-up toilet so you can avoid facing the same problem in the future.

Sewer back-up

One of the worst plumbing messes is a sewer backing up. You’ll know the sewage is jammed up if you spot sewage coming up in the shower. Alternatively, you will notice water flooding out from under the toilet. If the toilets won’t flush, again, sere is backing up. That is a problem for a professional, but you can alleviate it slightly until help arrives. Outside your home, you might find the cleanout. Don’t do anything on your own, unless you’re an expert. Plumbing is a tricky business that only professionals should sort out.

Clogged sinks

Did you notice that the water level in the sinks is rising, instead of leaving the sink as you wash up? Chances are, your sinks are clogged. Years of grease and leftover food particles will cause the build-up in the pipes to prevent the water from flowing down the pipes. Wait to see if the water is staying in the sink or just draining very slowly to know whether you’re facing a minor or a severe clog. For minor clogs, you can use a plunger and try to push the build-up further down with pressure. Depending on the amount of grime in the pipes, you might be able to do drain cleaning or not at all. If you don’t succeed, call a professional plumber to help you solve the problem in no time.

Final thoughts

Plumbing issues can cause numerous disruptions to your everyday activities. While some emergencies you will be able to fix by yourself, for more complex problems, you’ll need to call the pros. Don’t hesitate to book an HRA plumber Mount Martha professional plumbing services because experts will know how to fix the problem without causing additional issues to your plumbing. Fixing a plumbing emergency on your own is always a risk if you’re inexperienced.