Common Plumbing Emergencies

Plumbing Emergencies that you will run into around your home

When you own a home or business, it is easy to forget the complex plumbing systems involved until something goes wrong! The last thing anyone wants to face is plumbing problems or emergencies. Though there’s never a good time for any problem to arise, knowing the signs of common problems can help you reduce panic and seek prompt professional attention. 

It may be difficult to determine when it is a good idea to call an emergency plumber, or to try to address the problem yourself.  In general, some indicators that you need plumbing help right away include: drains that are stopped up or allowing no water to pass through, water showing up on the floor without a known cause, bad smells which can indicate gas leaking, or a leaking water heater which can cause home damage.

Here are some of the most commonly seen plumbing emergencies, and when it’s a good time to call a professional:

No Hot Water

This commonly seen problem is one of the worst! Perhaps you’ve gone to take a nice warm shower this winter and you realize there is no hot water. Most plumbers will be able to address hot water problems, as they are an essential part of plumbing systems. There are several things that can cause your hot water heater to malfunction, which may present itself as water that is either way too hot or extremely cold, noises coming from the water heater, water which has an off color or odor, or a water heater tank that is leaking. 

A leaking water heater can cause damage to your home, so it is important to address this concern immediately.

Clogged Sinks

Another commonly seen plumbing concern is the classic sink clog. Sometimes, minor sink clogs are something you can address yourself and skip the call to the plumber. Try using a plunger to see if you can fix the problems. Be mindful of using quick fix chemical drain cleaners, which may seem like a good idea to quickly and cheaply fix the problem. These chemical drain cleaners can sometimes damage the drainipes and may not resolve the issue entirely.

To avoid frequently clogged up sinks, avoid dumping grease, coffee grounds, and other dense waste products into the drain. If simple fixes do not work to unclog the sink, you will likely need to call a professional plumber with more extensive cleaning tools.

Overflowing Toilets

An overflowing toilet can cause panic if you don’t know how to quickly stop it. The first step to take if you notice your toilet overflowing is to shut off the water flow. You can do this by locating the toilet water valve, on the bottom of the water line on the side of the toilet. Turn this counterclockwise to stop the water from continuing to flow.

After you have gotten the water to stop flowing into the toilet, you can begin to identify the primary problem. Overflowing toilets are sometimes caused by mechanism failures or clogs. Some severe clogs may need professional attention to address the problem.

Burst or Leaking Pipes

If you’ve noticed a burst or leaking pipe, we recommend calling for an expert plumber as soon as possible. Even small burst pipes can cause serious plumbing damage very quickly. If the leak springs from the joint of the pipe, you can attempt to first tighten the joint with a wrench. If the water is leaking from the pipe, a rubber patch or waterproof tape may be able to solve the problem. 

Sometimes, burst or leaking pipes can be the result of older pipes in an older home, which may have been constructed using steel and iron. These materials are no longer used for plumbing purposes in new homes, as they can begin to corrode over time and cause leaking.

Sump Pump Issues

Many homes have sump pumps designed to move water from the basement out of the home. If the sump pump is not working or beginning to back up, remove the screen to make sure there is no debris preventing operation. If there is no debris, it may be that your sump pump is failing. In these instances, it is a good idea to call a professional to address and fix the problem.

Facing plumbing issues? Don’t panic! Our experts at Choate’s Air Conditioning, Heating, and Plumbing have seen it all. Give us a call today to request a service professional to come out and take a look at your problem. Our experts have been serving both residential and commercial clients in the Memphis area since 1958.