Plumbing problems fit into two general categories: long-term and emergency. While long-term problems require continuous monitoring and eventual repair, emergency problems require immediate repair.
Wondering what constitutes a real plumbing emergency? Then read on. We will get into the specifics of that question below.
Questions to Ask Yourself
When trying to determine whether a plumbing problem is an emergency, there are two questions you need to ask yourself. Those questions are as follows.
Could the Problem Cause Damage if Not Fixed Immediately?
The first question you need to ask is: could your plumbing problem cause damage to your home or possessions if not fixed immediately? If the answer is yes, you need to bring in an emergency plumber as soon as possible.
Water damage is often irreparable, and — depending on its extent — could set you back thousands of dollars. It’s much more cost effective (and convenient) to pay for emergency plumbing services now so you can avoid repair expenses later.
Is the Problem Impairing Your Ability to Complete Pressing Tasks?
The other question you need to ask is: will your existing plumbing problem impair your ability to complete tasks that you need to get done right now? If so, you’re advised to make use of emergency plumbing services.
A good example of such a problem would be a broken water heater. A loss of hot water will not only make it difficult for you to take baths and showers but it will also make it difficult for you to adequately wash dishes and clean clothes. It will derail the operation of your home.
Common Emergency Plumbing Problems
There are many plumbing problems which could be deemed an emergency. However, some emergency problems are more common than others. They include the following.
Overflowing Toilet
From time to time, toilets will overflow. This is a problem that’s almost impossible to avoid, regardless of the state of one’s toilet.
Fortunately, most times, homeowners can handle overflowing toilets on their own. All that’s needed is a quick plunge, and it’s ready to go again. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.
If you’ve plunged your toilet endlessly to no avail, it’s time to bring in an emergency plumber. The problem will not fix itself, and you aren’t going to live with an overflowing toilet. An emergency plumber will get to the room of the problem and make any necessary repairs.
Burst Pipes
No plumbing problem calls for emergency plumbing services more than burst pipes. A burst pipe will cause immediate water damage, the kind which can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage. It could also render valuable possessions irreparable.
Don’t make any “quick fixes” on a burst pipe. Electrical tape will not hold in moving water for long.
Instead, turn off your water main valve and call up an emergency plumber immediately. Until you have your pipe fixed, your plumbing system will be out of commission.
Leaking Pipes
It’s not just burst pipes which should prompt emergency plumbing services, but leaking pipes as well. Though leaking pipes aren’t as pressing as burst pipes, they could still cause water damage. Not to mention, they could turn into burst pipes before you even know it.
Again, if you notice one of your pipes leaking, you need to turn off your water main valve and call up your local plumber as soon as possible. Only then can you get your plumbing system to work at maximum capacity once again.
Loss of Hot Water
One of the most common plumbing emergencies is the loss of hot water. This problem crops up any time a water heater loses functionality and is always detrimental.
Considering we use hot water for a variety of tasks (showers, baths, dishwashing, clothes washing, etc.), a loss of hot water impairs the operation of our homes substantially. If we’re out of hot water for more than a day or two, we can fall far behind on home responsibilities.
Fortunately, emergency plumbers are well-versed in the repair of hot water heaters. So, if you call one up, he or she will have your hot water back on in no time.
Sump Pump Impairment
Do you have a basement? If so, you’d better also have a sump pump. Sump pumps are vital in the prevention of basement flooding and could end up saving you a lot of grief down the line.
Therefore, if your sump pump ever becomes impaired during a storm, you need to call up an emergency plumber immediately. You never know when a storm might get out of hand. So, you need to be sure that your sump pump is ready to counteract its effects.
Clogged Drains
Clogged drains are common. And whether it’s the sink drain, the bathtub drain, or otherwise, if it’s clogged, it can severely impair your ability to complete everyday tasks.
For instance, let’s say that your bathtub drain is clogged and that your bathtub is filling up with more and more water every time someone takes a shower. Unless you do something about this problem, your bathtub is eventually going to overflow.
A situation such as this would be well-handled by an emergency plumber. A plumber will disassemble your bathtub drain, remove all the items that are causing the clog and reassemble the drain back to normal.
Are You Experiencing a Plumbing Emergency in Salt Lake City, Utah?
Are you experiencing a plumbing emergency? In need of emergency plumbing services in Salt Lake City, Utah? If so, Beehive Plumbing is the company to call.
We provide 24/7 emergency service and can fix any plumbing problem thrown our way. Whether it’s 2:00 AM on a Tuesday or 1:00 PM on a Saturday, we’ll have you covered.
Contact us now to use our services!
