Many different things can be classified as plumbing emergencies. An imminent plumbing emergency is anything that puts you or your home at risk or that presents a major inconvenience at the wrong time. For example, a bathroom faucet that isn't working isn't always an emergency. If, however, you are throwing a party or having a gathering of some sort and dozens of people are relying on the bathroom faucet to wash their hands, it's suddenly an emergency. Here are some of the best reasons for you to contact an emergency plumber.
Water Heater Isn't Working
Your water heater is one of the most essential plumbing appliances in your home. Without it, you won't be able to take a hot shower or use your washing machine properly. Water heaters run into problems for various reasons, but if any of the following things are happening, it's time to call an emergency plumber.
If your water heater is leaking out of the sides or bottom.
If you notice that you no longer have any hot water.
If you start to notice rust-colored water or debris in your hot water.
If you notice that your water is boiling and scalds the skin.
If you suddenly have unusually low water pressure.
If any of these problems start to happen in your home, then it's time to Contact Us at 1-800-Plumber + Air of Portland. We'll send out a team of professionals as soon as we can to resolve your issue.
There's a Major Water Leak in Your House
Not all leaks in your house are considered major. A tiny drip somewhere in the unfinished part of your basement or somewhere outside your home isn't a pressing emergency, but it's something you want to get fixed. A significant leak that's an emergency is when there's an issue in the main part of your home that could cause damage to the house.
Leaks in the bathrooms, kitchen or laundry room often start small but can quickly turn into a wet mess if you don't get the problem fixed quickly. Water damage can lead to mold and mildew, which presents a whole other set of issues for your house and your family's health.
A Toilet or Sink is Backed Up
Sometimes, a clogged toilet or sink is a simple issue that you can resolve yourself. Other times, the problem gets so bad that nothing you do seems to help. If that's the case, then it's time to contact an emergency plumber and fix the issue before your toilet or sink overflows. If that happens, you'll really have a mess on your hands.
To avoid a stopped-up drain, you should avoid putting things like hair, grease, oils, and other items that stick together and don't dissolve easily. For toilets, make sure that you don't try to flush large items. I've heard way too many stories of children flushing toys down the toilet, and it ends up clogging a sewage pipe, which results in a stopped up toilet.
Busted Pipes
A busted pipe is even worse than other types of leaks because they often happen quickly and without notice. If a pipe bursts in your house, then you should quickly turn off the main water supply to your home and call an emergency plumber. Busted pipes are the most common accident that leads to water damage and flooding of a house.
What Are the Risks Faced During a Plumbing Emergency?
Plumbing emergencies are no fun for anyone, but they can also be costly and dangerous. Here are some of the main things that can happen due to a plumbing emergency that goes unattended for too long.
Excessive water leaks can cause water damage and mold.
Mold and mildew can lead to respiratory and lung problems for people who inhale the contaminated air.
Water leaks and burst pipes can cause flooding in the basement of homes, which is very costly to fix.
If there's flooding in your basement, you're at risk for electrical shock and failure if you have electronics close to the floor.
