9 Issues That Require A Call To An Emergency Plumber | San Antonio, TX
Photo By nikkytok at istock
You rely on the plumbing system in your San Antonio, TX home from the moment you wake up and use the bathroom until you brush your teeth before bed. You need your plumbing system to perform many daily tasks; therefore, plumbing issues can make life in your home challenging.
Every plumbing issue is a nuisance; however, some are more emergent than others. Some plumbing issues can wait until you find a plumber with an opening in their schedule, and others require immediate attention.
If your home’s plumbing system is experiencing any of the following issues, it is best to call a licensed plumber.
#1 You Have No Water
A lack of water coming into your home is the most obvious sign you need to call an emergency plumber, and it is the most serious. Without running water, you can’t shower, flush the toilet and perform many daily household tasks.
Before you call a plumber, check your records to ensure your water bills have been paid. Also, check with a neighbor or the water company’s website to ensure there isn’t a widespread water outage. If everything checks out, you can’t wait until you find a plumber with an opening. A lack of water is an emergent issue and will require a call to a plumber.
There are a few issues that can cause a lack of water coming into your home, including:
- A problem with the main water line
- A clog in the pipes that delivers the water to your home.
- Poor or aged materials
- A significant leak somewhere in the plumbing system.
- Frozen pipes
Because so many issues can cause a lack of water, it is best to call an emergency plumber to find the cause of the problem so they can make the necessary repair. The longer you wait to make the call, the longer it will be until you have running water.
#2 Leaks
A leak in your plumbing system is serious because the leaking water can cause significant water damage and mold growth in your San Antonio, TX home. In addition, the leak will wastewater, causing your water bills to increase drastically; therefore, you should call an emergency plumber as soon as you suspect there is a leak.
Leaks under the bathroom or kitchen sink are easy to detect because you will see water pooling when you open the kitchen cabinet or bathroom vanity. Leaks under the sink often signify worn components or corroded pipes.
Leaks in the pipes behind the walls or over the ceiling can be more challenging to detect. Over time, these leaks can cause water spots on the wall or ceiling. Leaks underground are even more challenging to detect. Underground leaks can cause water to pool in your yard, warm basement floors, or in severe cases, damage to the foundation of your home. In some cases, the only sign of a leak is a significant increase in your water bills.
If you suspect there is a leak in your plumbing system, you should call an emergency plumber right away. A plumber can use an acoustic microphone to detect the sound of leaking water. When they have an idea of where the leak is located, a drain camera can be used to find the leak so the plumber can repair or replace the leaking pipe.
#3 Toilet Clogs
Your toilet can clog if you flush too much waste and toilet paper. In addition, flushing things that shouldn’t be flushed, such as a child’s toy or baby wipes, can cause a significant clog. In many cases, plunging the toilet will break up the clog enough so you can flush the toilet without it overflowing.
If plunging the toilet doesn’t work, you will need to call an emergency plumber. The clog may be too large for the plunger to break apart, or it could be located too far down the drainpipe for the plunger to be effective.
Toilet clogs make it impossible to flush the toilet, which can be frustrating. A clogged toilet is a real problem if you only have one bathroom in your home.
A plumber can remove the entire clog, allowing you to use the toilet again.
#4 Drain Clogs
Many San Antonio, TX homeowners are careful with what they put down the drain to prevent drain clogs. Unfortunately, regardless of how careful you are, food, grease, hair, and soap will go down the drain, causing a clog. Small clogs can cause the water to drain slowly, which can be frustrating when you shower, brush your teeth and wash the dishes.
Many people use liquid drain cleaners to remove small clogs; however, it is better to hire a plumber. You can’t be sure that the entire clog was removed, and if it wasn’t, it will increase in size over time, and the water will drain slowly again. Also, these products contain harsh chemicals to break up clogs, which can damage the pipes.
Because the water still goes down the drain, you can wait until a plumber has an opening, but you should make the call right away. If you wait too long to remove the clog, the small clog can become significant in size, causing the drain to clog completely.
If the clog in your drain is so significant that it prevents the water from draining, you will need to call an emergency plumber. This is an emergent issue because you won’t be able to use the sink or tub until the clog has been removed.
A plumber can use a drain camera to determine the size of the clog and its location, and this information will help them remove the entire clog safely.
#5 Water Heater Issues
The water heater in your San Antonio, TX home is technically an appliance, but it is also an essential part of your home’s plumbing system. The water heater heats and stores hot water in the tank, so it is available for use.
You need hot water to perform many household tasks, such as showering, cooking, cleaning, and washing your hands. Because you need hot water, the issues below will require a call to an emergency plumber.
- You have no hot water.
- The water isn’t hot enough.
- You frequently run out of hot water.
- Discolored hot water
- The hot water smells like rotten eggs.
- Unusual sounds coming from the unit
- Poor hot water pressure
- Moisture or leaks around the water heater
DIY water heater repair is a bad idea. If you make a mistake while trying to repair the unit, you could do more damage that will require a more expensive plumbing bill, or the water heater may need to be replaced. In addition, a DIY repair will void the warranty, and you will need to pay for future repairs yourself. It is best to call a plumber trained in water heater repair to repair the issue correctly while keeping your warranty valid.
Certain issues can cause a lack of hot water, and some can make the hot water unsafe for use. Finally, some problems can result in 50+ gallons of water flooding your home. Because water heater issues can cause serious complications, you will need to call an emergency plumber to inspect the unit to determine if it can be repaired or if a replacement is the best option.
#6 Discolored Water
When you turn on the water in your home, you expect it to come out clean and clear. If the water has a brown tint, you should call an emergency plumber right away.
If just the hot water is brown, the issue is with the water heater, and sediment buildup can contaminate the water. In addition, if your water heater is old, the inside of the tank could be breaking down.
If the hot and cold water is discolored, the issue is with the pipes. Over time, the pipes can become rusted and corroded, and the rust and corrosion can contaminate the water.
Contaminated water can put your family’s health at risk; therefore, you should call an emergency plumber right away.
#7 Reduced Water Pressure
Poor water pressure can be annoying because simple tasks like washing your hair or rinsing a dish will take longer than necessary. If just the hot water pressure is poor, the issue is with the water heater. When sludge builds up at the bottom of the water tank, it can clog the waterline, resulting in poor water pressure. If a plumber cannot remove the sludge, you will need to replace the water heater.
If the hot and cold water pressure is poor, the issue is with the plumbing system, and you may need to call an emergency plumber. A few problems can cause reduced water pressure, and some can cause water damage in your San Antonio, TX home. These include:
- A problem with the main water line.
- A clog in the pipes
- A faulty pressure regulator
- A faulty water meter valve
- A leak somewhere in the plumbing system.
Because so many issues can cause reduced water pressure, and you cannot be sure if the problem is a leak or could cause a leak, it is best to call an emergency plumber right away.
#8 Frozen Pipes
Winters in San Antonio, TX, are relatively mild, which is why most homeowners don’t use heated tape to prevent their pipes from freezing. If a cold front moves in or there is a cold snap, your pipes can freeze, which is a serious problem. When the water in the pipes freezes, it expands, causing them to burst. Burst pipes can flood your home, causing significant water damage to your belongings or the structure of your home. In addition, the flood can cause mold growth with is difficult and expensive to eradicate.
If you turn on the water on a freezing night and nothing comes out, the pipes have likely frozen. You will need to call an emergency plumber to thaw the pipes as quickly as possible to prevent the pipes from bursting. It is best to call an emergency plumber as soon as you suspect your pipes have frozen.
#9 Sewer System Backup
A sewer backup is a homeowner’s worst nightmare. If you have a sewer backup, it is essential that you call an emergency plumber right away. Waiting to make the call can result in serious issues, including:
- Multiple drain clogs
- Water pooling around the floor drain
- Gurgling toilets
- A foul sewage smell
- The toilet or washing machine is backing up.
A backup in the sewer system will only get worse; therefore, you should call an emergency plumber so soon as you suspect there is a problem.
Why Choose bluefrog Plumbing +Drain + HVAC of San Antonio?
If you have a plumbing issue in your San Antonio, TX home and need to call an emergency plumber, call bluefrog Plumbing +Drain + HVAC of San Antonio. We are a full-service plumbing company, serving customers in the area for years.
Our plumbers are professionally trained, skilled and experienced, and can handle any job, whether simple or complex.
We have been in the plumbing business long enough to know that plumbing issues can arise at any time of the day or night, which is why we provide emergency plumbing service. If you have a problem that can’t wait, we have an emergency plumber available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
We are a member of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association and have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Over the years, we have provided excellent service to our customers and have a 5-star rating on Google. We are also a Google Approved business. In addition, Home Advisor lists us as a Top Rated, Elite Service.
We provide a variety of services, including:
- Plumbing repair
- Plumbing installation
- Drain cleaning service
- Leak detection
- Water heater repair, maintenance, and installation
To schedule an appointment with an emergency plumber or any other service we provide, give us at bluefrog Plumbing +Drain + HVAC of San Antonio a call or book your appointment.
Priority Service