Whether you’ve lived in your home for a few months or a few years, you’re probably aware that plumbing problems can come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes, you can handle these issues with a small tweak or quick fix.
However, some problems can strike when you least expect them to — and they can cause a great deal of damage when not handled quickly. Are you ready to handle these problems when they appear? As a busy homeowner, it’s not always easy to know when to call an emergency plumber for assistance.
There are some plumbing issues that require immediate attention. Below, let’s discuss what is considered a plumbing emergency and what you can do to prevent a costly catastrophe.
What Is Considered a Plumbing Emergency?
If you’re unsure when to call an emergency plumber, it’s important to take a step back and assess the situation. Look to see if the plumbing problem puts your family or home in any sort of danger.
When it comes down to it, a plumbing emergency is any problem that puts your family, home, or day-to-day life at risk. You’ll want to call a plumber as quickly as possible to prevent the problem from worsening.
Let’s go over the most common plumbing problems that warrant an emergency service call.
Costly Water Damage
Many plumbing problems — such as burst pipes, overflowing toilets, and leaking water heaters — can lead to extensive water damage. You’ll want to tackle these issues as quickly as possible to prevent this water from wreaking havoc on your home.
Although water damage can be expensive to fix, it’s also important to recognize that this issue can lead to mold and mildew growth. Mold and mildew are two allergens that can cause many health issues, including headaches, watery eyes, and difficulty breathing.
Now that you know what is considered a plumbing emergency, it’s time to assess your current situation. Some plumbing leaks are obvious, but some are less noticeable than others. In fact, leaks love to hide behind walls, beneath cabinets, and in many other inconspicuous places. Keep an eye out for low water pressure, high water bills, and musty odors.
Potential Danger
If you’re unsure when to call an emergency plumber, stop and think about your family’s safety. You’ll want to call a professional technician right away if you think your household is in a potentially dangerous situation.
Many other plumbing problems can put your family’s safety at risk. For example, it’s important to have a fully-functioning water heater during the cold winter months. Not having access to hot water can be incredibly dangerous if temperatures fall below freezing.
Another emergency is a malfunctioning sump pump. You’ll want to ensure your sump pump is working properly if a major storm hits the area where you live. Sump pumps provide a first line of protection against basement and crawl space flooding.
Health Risks
Does a plumbing problem put your family’s health at risk? If so, you should treat the situation as an emergency.
For starters, it’s crucial to recognize the fact that raw sewage overflows can be incredibly harmful and are considered a major emergency. Direct contact with sewage or touching surfaces with sewage can lead to illnesses like gastroenteritis. This is because sewage contains harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.
Breathing in sewage fumes can also result in hydrogen sulfide poisoning. Keep an eye out for respiratory tract irritation, as these symptoms can indicate that you’ve been exposed to low levels of hydrogen sulfide. Nervousness, dizziness, nausea, headaches, and drowsiness are also symptoms associated with hydrogen sulfide exposure.
Serious Disruption
The plumbing system in your home plays a major role in your day-to-day life. The last thing you want or need is for a plumbing issue to get in the way of your routine. If it feels like a plumbing problem is disrupting your daily operations, calling an emergency plumber could be the best possible solution.
So, what is considered a plumbing emergency in this regard? Think broken toilets, malfunctioning water heaters, leaking pipes, and sewer backups. Essentially, anything that throws your routine off course.
If you only have one toilet in your home, you’ll need to fix it right away if it’s overflowing or completely broken. In the same vein, you can’t take a proper shower if sewer gases and water are rising out of the drain. Sewer backups are often accompanied by the smell of rotten eggs, slow-moving drains, and strange gurgling sounds.
What to Do in a Plumbing Emergency
It can be incredibly helpful to know what is considered a plumbing emergency, especially if you’ve never found yourself in one of these situations before. Of course, just because you know what a plumbing emergency is doesn’t mean you know how to handle one.
First and foremost, you’ll want to be in tune with the health of your plumbing system. Potential back-ups and breaks can eventually result in damaged or blocked pipes and septic tanks. You can keep up with your plumbing system’s health by having an expert at Harts perform a 360 health evaluation.
Additionally, it’s critical to know where precisely your water shut-off valve is located. If you’re dealing with a leak or potential flood situation, you can shut off the water before a technician arrives. Many homeowners experience flood damage simply because they don’t know how to locate the shut-off valve, which can usually be found in your basement or somewhere along your home’s exterior.
If you’re dealing with a dire plumbing problem, immediately turn off the main water supply inside your home. Once you’ve done this, call a plumbing company and tell them about the situation. As you wait for the professional contractor to arrive, you’ll also want to mop up any leaks to prevent any additional water damage.
Ready to Make the Change? Call Harts Services!
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Avoid a Costly Catastrophe With Help From the Experts
Knowing when to call an emergency plumber can help you avoid a stressful, expensive situation. If you’re ready to schedule emergency plumbing services with a team you can trust, get in touch with the experts at Harts Services!
Our team of plumbing professionals can handle everything from clogged drains to comprehensive plumbing repairs. We’re proud to specialize in emergency plumbing in Seattle for residents throughout the area.
Don’t turn to just any company for your plumbing needs. Instead, turn to a licensed, trained, and experienced team that will put your satisfaction first. Whether you need a water heater replacement, sewer line service, or sink drain repair in Seattle, WA, we’re happy to help. Contact us today!
