Plumbing emergencies can happen when you least expect – even if you properly maintain your system. It’s important to understand the most common types of emergencies so you can call emergency plumbers like S&J Plumbing and Gasfitting as soon as you notice a problem.
How to Prevent Water Damage From an Emergency
Before diving into the most common serious problems, let’s first address how to prevent and minimise damage to your home. Here’s a list of things you can do:
- Turn off the valve closest to a major leak in your plumbing fixture or pipe. If you can’t find the individual shutoff valve, turn off the water main shutoff.
- If one of the drains is clogged, make sure to stop using anything that connects to that drain.
- Install water sensor alarms that can alert you when leaks or flooding occur. They are a small investment that can prevent costly damage.
- Look into a Wifi-connected sewer alarm. This kind of alarm can alert you of a sewer backup before it’s an emergent problem.
The Most Common Issues That Require a Call to Emergency Plumbers
If you experience any of the following, call a plumber immediately:
1. Burst Pipes
1. Causes: Burst pipes can be caused by age, corrosion, high water pressure, or extreme temperature changes.
Consequences: Water damage, flooding, and potential structural damage to your property.
Prevention tips: Insulate pipes in colder areas and maintain a consistent temperature to prevent freezing.
2. Blocked Drains
Causes: Hair, soap scum, debris, and foreign objects can accumulate in drains, causing blockages.
Consequences: Blockages can cause slow drainage, standing water, hygiene issues, and pipe damage.
Prevention tips: Use drain covers to prevent debris and hair. Avoid flushing non-biodegradable items and get regular drain cleaning.
3. Sewer Backups
Causes: Tree roots that invade sewer lines, pouring grease down drains, or flushing inappropriate items can result in sewer backups.
Consequences: Sewer backups are a risk for contaminated water entering your home, unpleasant odours, and property damage.
Prevention tips: Get regular sewer line inspections & maintenance and avoid flushing down grease or foreign objects.
4. Gas Leaks
Causes: Gas leaks can be caused from damaged or corroded gas lines, faulty appliance connections, or improper installation.
Consequences: A gas leak is very serious and can lead to the risk of fires or explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Prevention tips: Regular gas line inspections and gas installation by professionals can prevent gas line-related issues.
5. Water Heater Issues
Causes: Sediment buildup and age of the unit are the most common reasons for malfunctioning water heaters or leaks.
Consequences: Loss of hot water, increased energy bills, and water damage from leaks can be a result of water heater issues.
Prevention tips: Timely replacement of old units and regular hot water heater flushes can prevent problems.
Call Emergency Plumbers When You Have a Problem
Plumbing emergencies can be stressful and cause significant damage to your home if not addressed quickly. By understanding the most common plumbing emergencies, their causes, consequences, and prevention tips, you can be better prepared to handle these situations when they arise.
Remember, the key to minimising damage is to act quickly and call a reliable Brisbane residential plumber like S&J Plumbing and Gasfitting. Don’t try to fix it yourself! We have the expertise and equipment to diagnose and resolve any issues efficiently, preventing further damage and restoring your plumbing system and appliances to proper working order.
Need plumbing help? Get in touch today!