How to Handle an Emergency Plumbing Situation
When you have a plumbing emergency, the first thing to do is turn off your water supply. Make sure everyone in your household knows where the shut-off valves are located for each fixture and where the main water meter is located.
There are some situations that should always be considered a plumbing emergency. These include:
Overflowing Toilets or Sinks
The drain pipes of a toilet and sink meet, so an overflowing one is a sign of an issue with both fixtures. A plumber can usually fix this by removing the fill valve and adjusting the float, or they can replace it completely.
A toilet that continually overflows can be an Emergency Plumbing in Lubbock TX situation if it’s flooding the bathroom or leaving water marks on the ceiling. If the overflow continues even after turning off the water supply, it’s likely a clogged sewer drain. This is a more serious problem that requires a professional, as it could be causing sewage backup into your home.
A clogged sink drain can also be an Emergency Plumbing in Lubbock TX situation if you’re hosting guests and need to use that sink for food prep or cleanup. To clean a sink drain quickly, remove the overflow hole cover and insert a funnel made of silicone material that can withstand high heat. Then, slowly pour boiling water down the funnel to flush the clog.
Sewer Backups
Sewage backups are one of the worst plumbing emergencies you can experience. The smell alone is disgusting, but it can also be dangerous. Raw sewage contains harmful bacteria and viruses that can make you sick. It can also cause extensive water damage to your home and belongings.
You can avoid most sewer problems by having your drain lines inspected regularly. It’s also important to never flush items other than toilet paper and human waste, and not to pour cooking grease down your drains. Also, keep tree roots away from your pipes by having them trimmed regularly. If you do experience a sewer backup, shut off the main water valve and call a plumber right away. Also, be sure to check your homeowners insurance to see if it covers the backup and damage. If it doesn’t, consider purchasing extra endorsements for your sewer and drain coverage. A severe backup can cost thousands of dollars in cleanup and repair costs.
Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes are a major cause of water damage and are also one of the most expensive types of plumbing problems to fix. The best way to prevent frozen pipes is to make sure all exposed pipes are well insulated and not in unheated areas of your home or building. If you suspect a pipe is frozen, check it for signs of water or ice damage as well as a foul smell.
A frozen pipe in the winter is likely to lead to a burst pipe, which is a plumbing emergency and will need to be addressed as soon as possible to limit the damage caused. As you wait for a professional plumber, run a faucet with water at a trickle to keep water moving through the pipe and melt the ice faster. You can also use an electric hair dryer or portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials) to raise the temperature around the frozen area of the pipe.
Broken Pipes
We all experience minor plumbing issues from time to time, such as a leaky faucet or a clogged drain. But sometimes a situation occurs that’s more serious than a simple repair and needs to be addressed immediately, such as when your pipes burst.
When a pipe bursts, it can cause flooding and major water damage to your home. The first thing you should do is shut off the main water valve to your home to stop the flow of water and prevent further damage from occurring.
For a quick and temporary fix, you can wrap the broken pipe with duct tape or electrical tape. This will help stop the flow of water and allow you to get a plumber out to your house during business hours to make a permanent repair. To avoid this issue in the future, it’s important to regularly check your pipes and have them inspected before cold weather hits to ensure they are in good condition.
