How Do You Handle Plumbing Emergencies? Tips From Your Emergency Plumber | San Antonio, TX
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Plumbing emergencies are a stressful and expensive problem. Failure to address them right away can lead to even more problems. Thankfully, we know just what to do when there are plumbing emergencies. Please read this article to know the common plumbing emergencies you may encounter, how to deal with them, and how to avoid them. For assistance, please get in touch with an emergency plumber in San Antonio, TX.
Overflowing Toilet
The last thing you want to encounter is having to deal with an overflowing toilet. It’s not only unsanitary, but it can also be disastrous. Imagine having to clean the area after — it can be highly stressful to homeowners. An overflowing toilet is a plumbing emergency that’s likely due to a serious clog. When this happens, it’s best to contact an emergency plumber in San Antonio, TX, immediately to effectively deal with the problem.
To avoid overflowing toilets, ensure that everyone in the household is aware of the proper ways to care for your toilet. Please don’t flush anything on the toilet other than human waste. If you have little kids at home, remind them not to throw their toys or any small objects in the toilet because these tiny objects can eventually lead to a major clog.
A plunger or an auger may help you remove the clog, but it may not always work. It’s best to call a plumber instead. Reliable plumbers deal with overflowing toilets regularly — they are the most qualified people to help you handle the issue.
Burst Pipes
Water damage is a major plumbing emergency as it can damage your home’s foundation. In addition, the plumbing pipes can burst when high water pressure puts a lot of strain on them, mineral buildup, and when the pipes are frozen.
Please turn off the main water supply when the pipes burst and call a plumber in San Antonio, TX, for assistance.
To avoid burst pipes, please make sure to regulate the water pressure in your home. You can purchase a water pressure regulator or contact an emergency plumber for assistance. In addition, consider installing a water softener to help you deal with the hard water problem in your plumbing. Replacing your pipes could also be a solution — speak with an emergency plumber about this so they can better advise you on what to do with your plumbing.
Your pipes can also burst when the temperature starts dropping, and you fail to protect the exposed pipes. This can lead to a major plumbing emergency that may cost you a fortune in repairs and restorations. Thankfully, there are many ways to avoid plumbing emergencies, and we’ll talk about that later in the article. However, if you need more assistance, please contact an emergency plumber.
Sewage Smells
Sewage smells is a plumbing emergency that needs to be resolved immediately. Contact an emergency plumber when you see signs that something may be wrong with your sewage.
There could be a problem with the septic system when there are unpleasant smells after turning on the faucet. Contact a professional for an inspection — licensed emergency plumbers would be able to diagnose the problem and provide you with the best solutions.
It’s crucial to get help asap to avoid further problems with your plumbing. You may not be able to use your water if you don’t do anything at the soonest possible time. Don’t worry; plumbers at bluefrog know how to deal with any issues with the sewage system. Call us, and we’ll look into it and resolve the problem promptly.
Clogged Drains
Slow drains are the first sign of a major clog. Unfortunately, most homeowners don’t do anything until it’s too late. They wait until there’s a major clog before calling an emergency plumber in San Antonio, TX. When you suspect there might be issues with your drains, please get help immediately. Clogged drains are a plumbing emergency as they can lead to water damage and even pest infestations. Also, your kitchen will have unpleasant smells. Call an emergency plumber right away for professional drain cleaning. Depending on the problem, we may use a hydro jetter to completely remove whatever is building up in the pipe walls.
Gas Leaks
Gas leaks are a major plumbing emergency. Call an emergency plumber right away to assist with the situation. Please don’t attempt to repair a gas leak because it can be dangerous. Leave it to the professionals, for they have had the proper training and experience in dealing with gas leaks.
Malfunctioning Water Heater
A water heater can malfunction when it’s not installed correctly and when the homeowner fails to get rid of the sediment build-up in the tank. You can avoid plumbing emergencies with your water heater when you regularly maintain it. Problems that can arise include water heater leaks, inefficiency problems, or a noisy water heater. Contact an emergency plumber in San Antonio, TX, immediately so they can thoroughly inspect your unit, find out what the problem is and help you resolve the issue on the same day.
What to Do When There’s a Plumbing Emergency
Some homeowners panic when their home is flooding. While panicking can be a normal reaction, we suggest that you stay calm. You do need to think clearly to avoid further problems with your plumbing. It will be a good idea to have a contact number of an emergency plumber for your home in case of emergencies. That way, you won’t have to go online or check the Yellow Pages for an emergency plumber near you.
You can always rely on bluefrog Plumbing when it comes to emergencies. Besides offering a 24/7 emergency service, our plumbers are also highly skilled in handling emergencies. Call us, and we’ll quickly dispatch a trusted and reliable plumber to protect your home.
While waiting for the plumber, try to do the things we’ve recommended below to help you minimize the damage.
Shut off the water supply – Before calling an emergency plumber, you should already have turned off the main water supply to avoid further problems at home. It’s recommended that you have shut-off valves near your water heater, washing machine, dishwasher or garbage disposal to make it easier to turn off the water. Contact an emergency plumber near you if you’re planning to install several shut-off valves.
Don’t forget to call for repair – After turning off the main water, please contact a professional immediately. Please describe the problem to the plumber and how serious it is. Provide as many details as possible so that the plumber can also advise you on what to do. Depending on the issue, the plumber may ask you to do something to help protect your home.
Address minor leaks – If there are leaks in your plumbing, put buckets to catch the water and avoid further water damage in your home. Make sure that you also address smaller issues while waiting for the emergency plumber. You may also want to take pictures when you have homeowners insurance. The insurance company might help you cover the costs so long as there is proper documentation and it’s not your fault.
Turn off the water heater – Ensure you drain the water heater tank when there are leaks. You may also consider switching to tankless water heaters to reduce water damage to your basement.
It would also help to have a trusted and reliable emergency plumber in San Antonio, TX, that you can call in case of a plumbing emergency. Choose an established company offering 24/7 emergency services so that you can call them at any time of the day, especially during the wee hours. Make sure that they only employ licensed and insured plumbers — remember, dealing with plumbing repairs can be dangerous, and it would help to have insurance. Otherwise, you will have to pay for the plumber’s medical expenses when they get injured on the job.
How to Best Avoid Plumbing Emergencies
The one good thing about plumbing emergencies is that they can be avoided. Read our tips below to help you prevent plumbing emergencies at home:
Get Regular Plumbing Inspections
You may not see signs of a plumbing problem, and it may already be too late when you notice them. Getting a regular plumbing inspection can help you avoid this problem. The plumber will thoroughly check your plumbing system during the inspection — the drainage pipes, water heater, sewage, garbage disposal, sump pump, etc. He will inform you if there are problems that need to be addressed and a plumbing replacement.
While the emergency plumber may not find an issue during the inspection, you’ll be thankful when he finds a problem. That means the problem will be resolved before it turns into a major plumbing catastrophe that may cost you a fortune in repairs and replacements.
Choose a plumber that offers a wide range of plumbing services, not just maintenance. Make sure he’s also licensed to practice in your area. As much as possible, choose a plumbing company that does everything, and that’s bluefrog Plumbing. We can handle any plumbing job, big or small. We can also promise to take care of the issue on the same day because our team of professionals is fully equipped.
Periodically Check Your Plumbing
Besides getting regular plumbing inspections, please make sure that you also regularly check your appliances and plumbing fixtures from time to time. Don’t forget to fix minor faucet leaks or a running toilet to prevent wasting hundreds of gallons of water. You need to also watch out for the hidden signs of leaks. For example, damp walls or bulging wallpapers are signs of a leak in the pipes behind the walls. Hidden leaks can lead to plumbing emergencies when not addressed. Contact an emergency plumber immediately for professional leak detection. Plumbers have tools that help them determine the exact location of the leak.
Hire Licensed Plumbers for Major Installations
Are you planning to replace your water heater or washing machine? Please only hire a licensed plumber to help you install these units. Improper installation can also lead to a major leak in your plumbing. If you don’t want a flooded basement or laundry room, contact us immediately for major plumbing installations.
Do the same for repairs too. Only work with qualified plumbers to ensure a permanent solution. Inexperienced plumbers may cut corners, and that may lead to another problem eventually. You can avoid plumbing emergencies and other issues by hiring only licensed and experienced plumbers.
Don’t Use Chemical-Based Drain Cleaners
When you have older pipes, and you keep using chemical-based drain cleaners to get rid of a clog, chances are your pipes may leak. Chemical-based drain cleaners are never the solution to a drain problem. Get a professional drain cleaning instead for a permanent solution. Also, it would be best to install sink strainers to catch debris and dirt that can clog the system. And, of course, you should know what not to put down the drain.
Protect the Pipes
It’s always winter — you must already think of ways to protect your plumbing, and that includes insulating your pipes when the temperature starts dropping. You may also leave the faucet slightly open so that warm water can circulate through the pipes. And don’t forget to open the cabinet doors under the sink to let warm air in.
Monitor the Water Bill
When the water bill is unusually high, do a water meter test to help you determine if there might be hidden leaks in your plumbing. First, turn off all the faucets and other plumbing appliances. Check the water meter and take note of the numbers. The next step is to wait for 30 minutes and recheck the water meter. You have a leak in the plumbing when the numbers in the water meter have changed. Contact a plumber right away for an inspection.
Contact Expert Plumbers at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio
Do you need the help of an emergency plumber in San Antonio, TX? We’re here help to help, and we are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our team of professional plumbers can take care of any plumbing problem, big or small. So get in touch with us today for an appointment!
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