How to Deal with Common Plumbing Emergencies

Most home-owners shy away from problems connected to plumbing. However, unless you are faced with a pipe bursting, a massive sewage backup, a flooding or a broken water line, these emergencies are not as serious as you might think, and you can deal with them yourself. To learn how to fix the problem, here is how you can deal with the most common plumbing emergencies, without calling a professional.

Clogged Sink

Whether in your kitchen or bathroom, a serious clog in your sink can cause a complete stop to your daily activities. It is not a high-emergency situation, since you can turn off the faucet, but it will need your attention. A sink clog can be caused by numerous substances, most notably by mildew, soap scum and food particles. If you notice a slow drain, you can make a homemade drain cleaner to get rid of the clog. However, in severe cases, you will need to unscrew the pipe from the drain and de-clog the pipes manually.

Clogged Bathtub or Shower Drain

Soap scum and hair buildup can are also the most common causes of clogged bathtub and shower drains. If you notice the water rising during a shower, or notice strange sound as the water recedes, you are faced with a clog. Use the same de-clogging solutions as with a sink clog, and if the problem persists call a specialist who can dismantle the tub and fix the clog properly.

Clogged Toilet

A toilet making strange noises, refusing to flush, or water leaking from the toilet tank or bowl, are all signs that your toilet might be clogged. In case this happens, you should use a plunger to push the blockage out of the pipe, repeating the action until you resolve the clog. A clogged toilet can lead up to structural damage and raw sewage backups, so when you get the chance, contact your local plumber.

Leaky Faucet

Leaky faucets or toilets hasten the growth of mold and development of rust in pipes, suggests a Sydney-based emergency plumber, so you should address one such issue promptly since it can damage the entire pipe system. Additionally, it can also take a substantial share of your annual water bill. To deal with the problem, use a wrench to tighten every pipe and bolt. If the faucet continues to drip, you will probably need to replace the seat washer in your faucet handle or faucet.

Leaky Water Heater

A leaky water heater is yet another plumbing problem that lose you money. The leak causes the heater to continue using both water and power to heat up the new flow of water. A cause to the leak can come from a leaky water heater valve. If the problem is not fixed, you will need to purchase a new water heater. Keep in mind, that this is a better investment than wasting money on unused heated water.

Leaky Washing Machine Hose

Albeit, the washing machine is a long-lasting, reliable appliance, the hose is usually made from rubber or plastic and does not have the same properties. First off, check all the connections between the hose, machine and water supply are tightly hooked up. If the problem is not fixed, inspect the entire length of the hose for cracks or bulges. Rust and mould are also good indicators where the leak comes from. To fix it, stop using your machine and upgrade your washing machine hose as soon as possible.

Whenever there’s a plumbing problem you are unsure of, you should contact your local professional plumber. However, you should also remember that some plumbing emergencies are easy fixes, and all you need to do is roll up your sleeves to get the job done.

Guest Contributor, Lillian Connors