8 Ways to Avoid a Plumbing Emergency
By: John Garcia | Date Posted: March 1, 2022
Table of Contents
Plumbing emergencies can occur unexpectedly, even with proper maintenance. When faced with a late-night emergency and no available plumber, proactive measures can prevent future incidents. Understanding the causes of clogs and leaks, and learning to address minor plumbing issues yourself, are key steps to avoid emergencies.
Tips To Avoid a Plumbing Emergency
Understanding Your Plumbing System
To prevent plumbing emergencies, regularly maintain your homeās plumbing fixtures and systems. Understanding your plumbing system through routine upkeep can preemptively address issues. Additionally, know the location of your water shut-off valve, typically found in basements, to quickly mitigate emergencies involving pipes or fixtures.
Repairing minor plumbing problems on your own
Knowing how to fix minor plumbing issues on your own can be a lifesaver. You may not want to tackle the problem yourself, but if you know what to do in case of an emergency, then you wonāt have to wait around for a plumber.
Understanding what causes clogs and leaks
To prevent plumbing emergencies, understand the causes of clogs and leaks. Inspect pipes annually for signs of wear and corrosion to prevent leaks caused by aging. For clogs, prevent debris buildup by ensuring toilets are adequately filled with water and using strainers in sinks and tubs to trap hair and soap before it enters drains.
Preventing clogs and leaks
To prevent future plumbing emergencies like clogs and leaks, proactive maintenance is key. Clean pipes annually using a mixture of one cup of baking soda and one quart of boiling water to remove debris and mineral buildup. Avoid disposing of hair, grease, or other materials down sinks to prevent clogs. In case of a leak, immediately shut off the water valve to minimize damage and contact an emergency plumbing service for repairs. Use a wet cloth around the leaking pipe to catch drips temporarily until professional help. arrives, and turn off the main water supply at the pipe leading into your house if needed.
Maintaining Your Homeās Water Pressure
Water pressure is important because it determines how much water your plumbing fixtures can handle. If you live in a high-rise building, the water pressure might be higher. However, if you live in a low-rise or one-level home, the water pressure might be lower. This can cause problems with your plumbing fixtures, especially if the faucet is old and rusty.
The best way to maintain your homeās water pressure is to have a professional come and replace the older pipes with newer ones that can handle more water.
In order to prevent any plumbing emergencies from happening, you should also make sure that your toilet doesnāt run constantly when it is not being used. Also, make sure your dishwasher and washing machine are not running while they are not in use since these appliances use a lot of water as well.
A backup sump pump is also an effective way to combat any plumbing emergencies, as these pumps will automatically turn on when there is an excess of water in your houseās sewer system or basement.
These pumps will send the excess water out safely so it does not flood your basement or houseās sewer system and cause damage to any of your appliances or furniture from all of the standing water.
When to Call a Professional
Plumbing emergencies are never convenient, but the key is knowing when to call a professional. If youāve done everything you can and your plumbing issue still isnāt fixed, thatās when you should call a professional. While they may charge more than DIY methods, they offer fast service and know exactly how to fix your plumbing emergency.
Emergency planning
The best way to avoid a plumbing emergency is to plan for it. The first step in this process is to have an emergency contact list on hand. This will help you know who to call if something happens and how they can be of the most assistance.
Next, you should create a list of your homeās key features so that you can tell the emergency plumbing service person exactly what kind of problem you are facing. This could include things like whether or not there is water coming out of a pipe, if there are any broken pipes, etc.
A 24-hour plumbing hotline
If you have a plumbing emergency, itās important to know who to call. If you donāt have a 24-hour hotline for your plumber, then you need to set one up.
Itās not as simple as calling the number of any old plumber and expecting that he or she can help you in an emergency situation. You want someone with experience who is available at all hours of the day and night. When it comes to plumbing emergencies, timing is everything.
The emergency kit
One of the best ways to avoid a plumbing emergency is by having an emergency kit. This should include any tools you need for minor repairs and for clearing clogs, such as a plunger, toilet auger, and bucket.
Itās also important to have a flashlight in your kit because you might not always be able to see what needs repairing without one. Lastly, this kit should include something you can use to seal up the leak or clog if needed.
For example, if you know that your pipes are likely to freeze in your area, it would be wise to have some heat tape handy just in case.
Wrapping up
Plumbing emergencies are frustrating and time-consuming, but they donāt have to be a disaster. The best way to avoid a plumbing emergency is to always take care of your plumbing before it becomes an issue. Using the tips mentioned here will help you do that and keep your home running smoothly.
Thank you for reading!
