So, when does an issue become a problem? A plumbing emergency is not something you can sit on, but before calling the experts for emergency plumbing services, learn how to identify critical problems in your property´s plumbing system.
Every homeowner will have to make this call from time to time, and Roto-Rooter California is here to help! We’re always available to provide emergency plumbing services if needed, from leak detection to sewer line maintenance. However, emergency calls do tend to be more expensive than regular appointments, especially if it’s after hours, so you don’t want to call for emergency services when you don’t need them.
In this article, we’ll go over some of the most common issues that do call for emergency plumbing services – and a few of them might surprise you!
The Most Common Problems That Require Emergency Plumbing Services
1. Water stains
You might not think of a water stain as a plumbing emergency, but here’s the thing – by the time you see the water stain on your wall or ceiling, it means water has already been dripping on it for some time. That water leak has been doing ongoing damage to your home the whole time, and that damage will only get worse if you wait.
This is a ‘better safe than sorry’ situation. Assume any water stain indicates a bigger problem hiding behind the walls or ceiling.
The same thing applies if you see your ceiling sagging, especially with tile-based ceilings. If it’s sagging, there’s a very high chance that water is the culprit.
2. Serious water leaks
If you just have a leaky pipe or toilet, that’s not a big deal – just mop up the water that’s there and wait until regular service hours.
However, if you have a more serious leak, such as water dripping from the ceiling, that’s a definite plumbing emergency. Wherever the water is coming from, it’s doing damage as it travels through your home. Also, if materials in the walls or ceiling are becoming saturated, that can lead to dangerous mold and mildew growth. You need to stop the leak and get water damage restoration to ensure the problems don’t get worse.
3. Low water pressure everywhere
If you have a single faucet or appliance with a low water flow, chances are it’s just a local clog that can be handled when you get the chance. However, if your entire home has low water pressure, that indicates a much bigger problem. Either there’s a major clog deep in your home’s pipes, or else there’s a leak somewhere taking water pressure away.
First, check with your water company just to make sure the problem isn’t on their end. If it isn’t, call for emergency plumbing services to look into the issue because something is very wrong.
4. Burst pipes
This one’s obvious. A single leak isn’t a big deal, but if a pipe bursts, it can dump gallons of water into your home in a very short amount of time – causing massive damage. This one is an absolute five-alarm emergency and needs to be handled the moment you see the problem. Left unchecked, it could turn into a full-on home flood.
No matter the time or day, call for emergency plumbing services immediately if a pipe ever bursts.
If possible, get to your main water shutoff valve to turn off the water before the plumbers arrive. However, do not wade into standing water. You don’t know what’s in it, and there’s a risk of electrocution if the water makes contact with a power outlet. Turning off your power at the breaker is a good idea, in this situation.
5. Sewage smells
You should never smell sewage anywhere in your home. If you do, this is a huge problem. It might be an issue with one of your sewage pipes, or a clog in your septic system if you have a septic tank.
Either way, human waste is a true biohazard. You can get sick just from coming into contact with it. Don’t take the risk. If you smell sewage, get away from the source and call an emergency plumber immediately to look into the problem.
6. Water heater problems
If you have a tank-based water heater, it stores a huge amount of water. Should it start to leak, or burst from high pressure, you’ll have a big problem. Not only can it cause a flood, but the water will be extremely hot as well!
Plus, during cold weather, you need hot water to stay comfortable. Taking cold showers in winter can be downright dangerous, depending on how cold it is.
If you have problems with your water heater, take a sniff to check for gas. Broken water heaters can be a source of natural gas leaks as well, and that can be deadly if it’s allowed to fill a room like your basement. If you do smell gas, get out of the house, and call for help ASAP.
7. Complete loss of water
What if you turn on a faucet or flush your toilet, and no water comes out at all? In this case, your first move should be to contact your water company to find out if there’s an outage. If there isn’t, there’s a big problem!
You can live without water for a few days, potentially, but it wouldn’t be fun. Also, as with other plumbing emergencies, there’s a chance that a major leak or burst pipe is causing your water to go away. These are all situations where you need a plumber on-site immediately to start looking into the issue.
Roto-Rooter California Offers 24/7/365 Emergency Plumbing Services
Roto-Rooter California is always on-call, and ready to come help whenever you have a plumbing emergency. Our highly trained and professional plumbers are ready to handle any emergency, no matter how big or complicated, and will be able to quickly fix the issue. We also offer water damage cleanup services, if needed.