A plumbing emergency usually involves a burst pipe, sewer backup, clogged drains and flooding. It’s a problem when there is rushing water and you do not know where it is coming from. The worst-case scenario when flooding happens: high emergency plumbing repair service costs and additional costs for repairing your homes. Flooding can seriously cause structural damage. In extreme cases, the problems may be irreversible.
An emergency plumber is a licensed professional who takes care of all your emergency plumbing repair service problems and all other plumbing-related concerns. You should have the phone number of your emergency plumber in case of emergencies.
Below are common emergency plumbing problems you may experience at home:
1. Overflowing Toilet
It’s extremely inconvenient and disastrous when your toilet starts to overflow. This could be because it’s clogged or the float mechanism simply isn’t working. If you have a plunger, try to resolve it yourself. For a more serious clogging problem, you may need more than just a plunger for that. An auger may help you deal with serious clogs as it can take out debris that is causing the clog. Before attempting to resolve the problem though, it’s always a good practice to turn off the water valve. If you do not know what to do, you can always call a plumber for an emergency plumbing repair service in Minneapolis, MN.
2. Burst Pipes
The first thing you need to do when your pipes burst is to immediately turn off the water valve to prevent further damage. A burst pipe is the most damaging plumbing emergency thus far as it can release up to 100 gallons of water in an eight-hour period. Imagine what this will do to your home — when it floods, the water can seriously damage the structure of your home and your furniture too.
Burst pipes are commonly caused by corrosion. Your pipes can burst when they are frozen too. After turning off the water supply and removing all the furniture, contact your plumber immediately for an emergency plumbing repair service.
3. Frozen Pipes
This is highly common especially in areas with very harsh winters. When the temperature is below freezing, your unprotected pipes may freeze. When the water turns to ice, you are not only having problems with the pipes. Water also will not flow — that means you cannot use the showers or the restrooms. When the pipes freeze, they could either expand or burst.
What you need to do is call an emergency plumber for help. Do not even attempt to thaw the pipes yourself as that may even cause more damage. Close the main shutoff valve and just wait for your emergency plumbing repair service to help you alleviate the problem.
What homeowners do before the winter is to insulate their pipes. This is preventive maintenance that can surely protect your pipes against the winter months. Call your plumber if you do not know how to go about insulating your pipes.
4. Clogged Drains
A clogged drain may not sound like a real plumbing emergency to you. It may not be a big deal but remember that when a clogged drain isn’t addressed, it could result in an emergency.
Homeowners can prevent having clogged drains when they completely avoid throwing scraps of food or grease in the drain. Call for an emergency plumbing repair service in Minneapolis, MN right away when your drain fills the sink. This could be due to a problem with the sewage or other serious problems that need to be addressed.
Do not take it for granted simply because it’s just a clogged drain issue. Serious repairs may cost you more money and even cost you an entire plumbing system. You can avoid this by not neglecting any plumbing issue especially clogged drains.
5. Sewage Smells
Sewage issues are major problems that need to be addressed right away. You will not be able to use your water when you have this problem. This calls for an emergency plumbing repair service right away.
When you turn on the faucet and you notice a bad smell, there could be something wrong with your septic system or sump pump. The only person who can tell you which is a professional plumber. Call for professional help immediately as it’s only a matter of time when the water finds its way to your home. You may not be able to use your showers or toilets. Also, the water will be hazardous to your health.
6. Water Heater Malfunction
Common problems a homeowner will experience when the water heater doesn’t work are a leaking tank, water heater noises, too cold or too hot water, bad odor and strange color. Call an emergency plumbing repair service right away when you suspect a leak. That could lead to flooding if not addressed right away. The plumber is the best person who can help you resolve your problem.
If you think there is no leak, try to flush the water tank. That may solve the problem. Otherwise, call for professional help.
7. Gas Leaks
Gas leaks are a serious problem that needs the assistance immediately from your local fire department and then from your emergency plumber immediately. Do not even attempt any DIY for gas leaks as that could lead to an even serious problem. You need to evacuate as soon as you smell gas. Call your fire department and then an emergency plumbing repair service when you’re outside. You may also call the gas company if you think the problem is on their end.
Do not attempt to do anything on your own unless instructed by a professional. Otherwise you and your loved ones could seriously get harmed. Make sure you are outside while the professionals handle the issue.
What To Do in a Plumbing Emergency
Although it’s normal, try not to panic when there is a plumbing emergency. Panicking will only cause you to not think clearly on what to do next. As much as possible, stay calm.
You can minimize further damage to your home and more costly repairs when you actually prepare ahead of time. If you know what to do during a plumbing emergency, you should be able to resolve it with ease — with the help of an emergency plumbing repair service in Minneapolis, MN of course.
It’s a good idea to have an emergency plumber’s contact info within your reach. Save it on your phone. Paul Bunyan Plumbing & Drains should be on top of your list as we are highly competent especially when it comes to dealing with emergency plumbing repair service needs.
As soon as you have the numbers ready, you may take these steps to heart to help you in a plumbing emergency:
1. Shut Off The Water Supply
Everyone in your home must know the location of the shut-off valve in case of emergencies. This must be turned off immediately to prevent flooding and other costly repairs and damages. It’s so easy to turn off the water valves — most of them just need to be turned clockwise.
2. Call an Emergency Plumbing Repair Service in Minneapolis, MN
As soon as the water supply is shut off, call a licensed plumber immediately. Describe your current emergency to the plumber and be as detailed as possible. Provide more information so he could help you better. The plumber may ask you to do something to somehow lessen the problem or may tell you not to do anything to prevent further damage. In some cases, they may tell you to leave your house immediately. Do as you are told for that will be for your own good.
3. Turn Off the Heater
Do this when you are having water heater problems. Turning off the heater prevents it from either bursting or overheating. Turn off the gas water heater if this is what you have at home.
4. Try to Address Minor Leaks
While waiting for the plumber, do your part by addressing small leaks if there are any. You may put buckets near the leak to prevent further damage. Make sure you tell your plumber about this.
Tips for Avoiding Emergency Plumbing Repair Services
Prevention is the first step to avoiding costly emergency plumbing repair services. There are things that you can do on your end to avoid clogged drains or flooding. Here are a few of them:
1. Get Professional Plumbing System Maintenance
You may not get a warning for most of your plumbing problems at home. In fact, you probably will never notice a problem until they come to the surface. However, a licensed plumber will be able to help you avoid costly plumber repair services.
When you schedule regular system maintenance with a professional plumber, they will be able to thoroughly inspect all pipes, sewage, water heater and everything related to plumbing. They will be able to anticipate problems and also resolve them at the same time. Most importantly, they can help your system to work efficiently.
2. Use Only Good Plumbing Materials
When it comes to your plumbing system, we would advise you to talk to your plumber as to what materials are best for your home. You may have to invest more for it but remember that a good plumbing system is not likely to give you stressful and costly emergency plumbing problems in the future.
Never sacrifice your plumbing system for cheap materials that have low-quality. Talk to your plumber for good advice.
3. Take Care of Your Toilet
As much as possible, only flush water in your toilets. Avoid paper towels, diapers, sanitary pads and anything that will cause clogs. You wouldn’t want to deal with the inconveniences of toilet emergencies.
4. Regularly Look Out for Leaks
If you can’t have regular maintenance with a plumber, at least regularly inspect your system especially the pipes. Address minor problems asap to avoid costly repairs. Watch out for a sudden increase in your utility bills as that may also be a sign of a plumbing problem. Call a professional for emergency plumbing repair service if you can’t fix it.
5. Get Sink Strainers and Avoid Chemicals for Drain Clogs
A sink strainer keeps hair and other debris down the drain and blocking the pipes. To resolve clogging problems, either get a plunger or a drain snake. Chemicals may seriously damage your pipes.
6. Treat Your Garbage Disposal Well
The garbage disposal is not designed for big bones or non-food items. Make sure that you only throw away small amounts of food in the disposal to avoid clogging.
7. Insulate Your Pipes
It may be a good idea to insulate the pipes even when it’s not winter for added protection. However, it’s a must to insulate them in the cold winter months to avoid freezing the pipes. Frozen pipes do not only damage them but you may not have water supply. Talk to a plumber if you do not know how to insulate your pipes.
8. Drain Water Heater Annually
To avoid water heater problems in the future, make it a habit to always drain the heater at least once a month. Also, regularly check for leaks to avoid emergency plumbing repair service needs.
Contact Paul Bunyan Plumbing & Drains
When it comes to resolving plumbing emergencies, you can count on Paul Bunyan Plumbing & Drains. There is no plumbing emergency that’s too small or too big that we cannot fix. All our plumbers are licensed, experienced and highly knowledgeable. Their years of experience doing emergency plumbing repair services make them the best plumbers to help you resolve your problems.
If you need emergency plumbing repair service in Minneapolis, MN, call Paul Bunyan Plumbing & Drains today for an appointment! We also offer financing to help our customers!
