Per the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), plumbing problems such as water leaks and burst water pipes are among the leading causes of water loss in America. Apart from water leakage, other common plumbing problems include, among others:
- Clogged drains
- Sewage backup
- Gas leaks
- Low water pressure in the system
Sometimes, problems in the plumbing system can occur at night or even during the weekend, and finding a regular plumber may be difficult. During such times, you should consider hiring a 24-hour plumber to come and fix the problem, but first, ask yourself these questions to determine whether your plumbing problem is an emergency or not.
How To Determine If You Need An Emergency Plumber
Contents
In this article, we discuss some of the methods you can use to determine if you need to call an emergency plumber.
Is The Plumbing Problem Urgent?
If a water pipe bursts at night, causing flooding, you should not wait until morning before calling a plumber. Instead, you should call a 24-hour plumber to fix the problem. This ensures that you do not suffer serious damage water, causing to file an insurance claim, or even worse, pay for expensive home repairs or other property damage out of pocket. Of course, you should evaluate the level of emergency and determine if the problem can wait. For example, if you can mitigate a small leakage by tapping the water in a bucket, then you can call a plumber the next day.
Can You Fix It Yourself?
Some issues in your plumbing system may be minor and easy to fix even without skills or experience, provided you have the right tools. For instance, you can easily fix a clogged sink by using a plunger or simply opening the cleanout plug.
Nevertheless, other problems can be complex in nature, requiring a certified plumber to fix them. Examples of such problems include, among others, burst pipes, clogged toilets, low water pressure, and dry faucets. If you can’t solve the problem without causing an even bigger problem, then you should call an emergency plumber.
Can You Do Without the Affected Part?
Depending on certain factors, your serious plumbing problem may not necessarily require immediate attention. For example, if your house has at least two bathrooms and one of the toilets gets clogged, you can always use another. This way, you can wait until morning to call a qualified plumber to unclog the clogged toilet. On the other hand, if your house has only one bathroom and your toilet gets clogged, you’d need to contact an emergency plumber.
Are You Safe?
Other than being a threat to your personal property, some plumbing issues are potential health and safety hazards. Therefore, they deserve urgent attention. For instance, according to The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), natural gas leaks can contribute a great deal to global warming, as well as cause natural gas poisoning. Additionally, in large quantities, methane gas can cause the formation of smog, which researchers have linked to respiratory problems such as asthma.
Experts recommend vacating your home immediately if you suspect a gas leak and avoid using electronics or lighting matches, as natural gases are highly flammable. Instead of risking to start a fire in your home, move as far as you can and call an emergency plumber.
Is The Problem Causing Water Damage?
In some instances, damage can occur in your plumbing system without necessarily causing water damage. For example, water overflow in an abandoned bathroom probably won’t cause any water damage to your property. In such cases, you can wait until the official working hours before calling a plumber. However, if all your mattresses and duvets will be soaked, and your bed probably be submerged by morning, don’t hesitate to call a 24-hour plumber.
Is The Faulty Part Connected To Other Appliances?
According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), some plumbing issues can greatly affect the working of your HVAC system as well as other appliances. For example, dishwashers, laundry machines, and refrigerators can malfunction if they don’t receive enough water or release wastewater due to clogging. This means that you should consider your plumbing issue an emergency if it prevents some of your home appliances from functioning properly.
Conclusion
Before you call a 24-hour plumber on when the office hours are closed, you should first determine if your plumbing problem is an emergency. This way, you will avoid disturbing people and wait until normal working hours before you make that call, in case it can wait.
Call Robinson Plumbing For Water Softener Services
Contact Robinson Plumbing, one of the most trusted plumbing companies in the Lehigh Valley, for reliable plumbing services. We offer a variety of plumbing services ranging from plumbing fixture upgrades, drain clogs, water leak repairs, toilet replacements, and more. We always give a wide range of solutions when possible for any plumbing repairs. This allows you to choose the best option for your budget and home. Furthermore, for those unexpected situations, we also offer fast and affordable emergency plumbing services.
We proudly offer the most affordable and best plumbing services in the Lehigh Valley area. Additionally, our experienced plumbers all have the proper licenses and expertise to ensure your satisfaction. We back all of our work with a guarantee. Contact Robinson Plumbing today and schedule your free estimate.
Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or click here to contact us for any questions that you might have!