It’s a universal truth that plumbing emergencies almost always happen at the most inopportune times. Not only do they happen when we least expect them, but they almost always occur outside of office hours.
That means, every homeowner should know the emergency plumber Brisbane residents rely on when emergencies happen. With this in mind, it’s essential to know what exactly constitutes a real plumbing emergency.
Know What a Real Emergency Is
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There are generally two types of people in the world. The first type believes that everything out of the ordinary can be classed as an emergency and will phone an after-hours plumber for the smallest problem. The second type of person can find themselves standing ankle-deep in water from a burst pipe and still not believe they’re having a real emergency!
To ensure that you, your family and your home aren’t at any severe risk, you should have a clear understanding of what a plumbing emergency is. We’ve listed a few of the most critical plumbing issues that can’t wait until the office opens.
1. Issues With Gas
By definition, a plumbing emergency puts you, your family, your home, or anyone in the surrounding area at risk of injury or death. That means an issue with your gas line is always an emergency. If you suspect a gas leak, it’s essential to call your emergency plumber immediately!
2. Faulty Water Heating
You may think that you can ignore a faulty water heater for a few hours while you wait for office hours to roll around. However, if your water heater is leaking, it can result in irreparable damage to the unit. Additionally, a leaking water heater can also result in electric shocks if the leak is extensive and reaches other cables.
If the issue with your hot water system is extreme fluctuations in temperature, it’s recommended to switch the water off completely to prevent children from accidentally getting scalded. Keep in mind that faulty hot water systems can sometimes be at risk of exploding. If possible, turn the heating unit off while you wait for the plumber.
3. Blocked Toilets
Minor toilet blocks can perhaps be left for a few hours, but this would depend on several other factors. For instance, can you see what’s causing the blockage? Has the water reached the top of the toilet and is it overflowing?
If possible, you should turn off the main water supply and attempt to use a plunger to dislodge whatever is causing the blockage. In minor instances, a couple of plunges may force the clog to come loose and flush away.
If you can’t get the toilet unclogged, it’s essential to call your plumber. This type of problem can cause more extensive damage and can also pose a health risk. Avoid toilet blockages by educating children and other household members about what shouldn’t be flushed.
4. Sewer System Backups
This type of problem may occur somewhere on your property and not inside your home, which may lead you to believe it’s not really an urgent emergency. However, this type of emergency can cause extensive damage and can present a range of health hazards.
Common signs that there’s a sewer backup nearby include clogged drains, babbling noises in the toilet pipes or smelly odours. Once the toilet pipes outside get blocked up, sewage starts overflowing in the drains. This causes bacteria and harmful pathogens to spill into your property. With this in mind, flowing raw sewage should always be classed as an emergency.
5. Leaking Pipes
Many people think that if a leaking pipe hasn’t burst and isn’t spewing litres of water out of the wall, it isn’t a real emergency. However, a small leak can quickly turn into a much bigger one when a valve or other fitting suddenly fails. Not dealing with a leaking pipe can result in significant water damage to your home.
This is especially the case when water is running down walls or pooling on the floor. When dealing with any water issue, remember that your first course of action should always be to turn the water off. Clean up as much water as possible, as soon as you can to avoid extensive damage to walls, floors, and furniture.
Final Thoughts
Some plumbing emergencies, such as leaking pipes, can cause significant damage to your property if not attended to timeously. Others, such as gas issues, can be fatal to anyone in the home. If you’re not sure if the emergency you’re having warrants a 24-hour plumber, the best course of action would be to phone and find out.
Your emergency plumber will be able to tell you whether or not the issue can hold until morning. Always provide an accurate description of the issue and if possible, send a photo message with a clear image. They may also advise you to shut down the gas or water while they’re on the way. Either way, you’ll have peace of mind that your issue is being handled in the best way possible!