When Do I Need Emergency Plumbing Service? | Oak Ridge, TN
Sunday, July 18th, 2021
Photo By seb_ra at istock
Plumbing is essential to modern life in Oak Ridge, TN, and the rest of the United States. Life would be very different without clean water and sanitation. The potential hazards of plumbing that doesn’t work correctly include water damage inside our homes, illness, and an extremely inconvenient lack of clean and easily accessible water. Emergency plumbing services exist because we rely on our homes’ plumbing constantly throughout daily life.
Sewer Lines
Problems with sewer lines are one of the most common reasons for calling an emergency plumbing service. Although sewage problems are a potentially hazardous problem, they prompt calls to the plumber because we tend to notice issues with sewage systems very quickly. Wastewater backing up into toilets, sinks, or bathtubs is alarming. Sewage gases that make it back into the house are also noticed quickly. No matter where a leak in a sewer main occurs, inside the house or in the yard, it makes itself known almost immediately. This is always an emergency because it doesn’t just impact one home. It can contaminate the water table and affect everyone living within a specific area.
Sewage line repairs are not a project to tackle without a professional. Many sewer lines in Oak Ridge, TN, are located in places that may be difficult to reach, and it is quite easy to make the problem worse if an unskilled person attempts repairs. A partially successful fix can be even riskier. Successfully reducing the leak to the point that it isn’t noticeable and appears to be fixed can be dangerous if a minor leak still exists. Sewage could contaminate your home’s clean water supply without being noticed and lead to health issues and illness down the road.
Contaminated Water
If you notice a strange or foul odor when you turn on the faucet, this could be a sign of bacteria in your home’s plumbing system. Contaminated water is a reason for emergency plumbing services, and water can’t be used for drinking or cooking until the problem is fixed. Bacteria and other microorganisms in the water may cause a wide range of illnesses. Children and the elderly are especially susceptible.
Burst Pipes
Burst pipes are always a reason for emergency plumbing services. Although frozen pipes are a concern in cold weather, pipes may be damaged for other reasons. A broken or ruptured pipe can let gallons of water flood into your home in just minutes. The first step in addressing this situation is shutting off the main water supply to your home. This has to be done to avoid extensive water damage. The next step is a call to your local plumber. Some plumbers also have the equipment to help dry out your home. This is a problem that can’t wait. Bacteria and mold start multiplying immediately in wet environments, and wood, drywall, fabrics, and furniture can all sustain water damage.
Sump Pump Failure
A sump pump failure can be an emergency if you rely on it to keep water out of your basement. Heavy rainfall doesn’t have to be a constant occurrence to present a threat of flooding. Areas with inconsistent rainfall can experience flooding during storms because the ground can’t absorb the water fast enough. Sump pumps remove water in basements and crawl spaces and may be an essential tool to prevent flooding in your home. Water in places it shouldn’t be is a sign of a sump pump malfunction, but it’s best to catch problems before they reach that stage. Possible signs of a malfunctioning sump pump include vibrations or odd noises, irregular cycles, or continuous operation for no reason.
Hot Water Heater Failure
Some plumbing issues are emergencies in some households and not in others. The same situation could prompt a call to emergency plumbing services or not depending on circumstances. A malfunctioning hot water heater is one of these situations. Sometimes adjusting the thermostat settings is the only fix necessary, but this should be done with caution. Don’t turn it up so high that hot water can be scalding and cause burns. This is especially important in homes with young children.
A nonfunctioning pilot light is another possibility if your gas-powered water heater isn’t working. Some people deal with pilot lights on their own, while others feel more comfortable calling for assistance. An electric hot water heater could malfunction for many reasons. Sometimes the thermostat isn’t working and needs to be replaced. That may be a reason to call for emergency plumbing service if you need hot water restored immediately. A leaky hot water heater can be very problematic too. The water inside the tank is often under pressure, and hot water gushing from a ruptured tank can destroy furniture and the inside of a home quickly, not to mention causing burns or other injuries to people or pets that may be standing in the way.
Overflowing Toilet
An overflowing toilet only requires emergency plumbing services in certain circumstances. Some issues can be easily fixed with a plunger or slight alterations in the holding tank. If nothing seems to work and you can’t stop the water from flooding out, shut off the home’s water supply and call a plumber.
Leaky Pipes
Leaky pipes are another plumbing issue that may or may not require emergency plumbing services. Homeowners can choose to shut off the water to the house until the leak is fixed. This may be a viable option for many households. Putting a pan or bucket down to catch the leaking water and continuing to use the leaky fixtures until they can be fixed is another option. The potential risk with continued use is that the leak will go from minor to gushing water very quickly. That can cause a lot of damage very quickly and result in paying out a lot more in repairs than simply getting the leak fixed in the first place would have cost.
Call My Professional Plumber in Oak Ridge, TN for immediate emergency plumbing service. These experienced plumbers can also help you keep your home’s plumbing in good condition to make emergencies less likely.