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After a long day at work, all you want is to get home and relax. What do you do when you come back to find your basement is flooded? The right answer would be to call an emergency plumbing service provider. However, this does not stop you from panicking.

Plumbing is inevitable, especially if you live in an old house. With plumbing, a small problem cannot be ignored because a small leak over time can mean a massive bill at the end of the month. Such expenses are totally avoidable if you call a service provider as soon as you notice a problem. But what constitutes an emergency? Below are a few emergencies you can anticipate.

1. Burst Pipes

One of the most common reasons to need emergency plumbing services is burst pipes. Both the house’s plumbing network and the supply pipes can burst without prior notice. Pipes are designed so that they can withstand a considerable amount of force, but if there is structural damage, they are bound to burst. Other than structural damage, there are several different causes of burst pipes, they include;

Water freezing in the pipes. In winter, it is not uncommon to have the water in the pipes to freeze, especially when the temperature falls below -4 degrees Celsius. When water freezes, it expands. The expansion alone can cause the pipe to burst. When the water in the pipe freezes, it causes a blockage in the pipe and creates too much pressure in the pipe, causing it to break.
Old pipework. All pipes are human-made, and they can only last for a given period. You can get them to serve you longer by ensuring they are laid by an expert, and they are well and frequently maintained. Even if you take the best care of the pipes, they will start to structurally degrade after several years. Pipes made from metallic pipes tend to erode with time while plastic piping becomes brittle with time. If there is excess pressure in the pipes could cause them to burst. An emergency plumbing service provider will not only mend the old pipes but they can also lay in new ones.
Excess water pressure. As stated earlier, pipes are constructed to withstand a certain level of pressure. The exact pressure level is often indicated on the pipe. A plumbing expert from Knoxville, TN, will advise you on the pipes you should use. When the pressure of water within the pipes exceeds that it can withstand, they can burst abruptly in which case you need to call an emergency plumbing service provider.

2. Leaking Faucets

Did you know that every year, leaking faucets account for over 10,000 gallons of water? That amount of water is enough to wash over 250 loads of laundry. What is even more surprising is that people will still receive a bill for this amount. How do you know you leak?

Keep a log of the amount of water you use on a monthly or weekly basis. If you keep a record for long enough, you can confidently know the amount of water your household uses on average. If the amount increases without an increase in usage, it could signal a leak. Such leaks are hard to find, and it is advisable to contact an emergency plumbing service provider to locate the leak before it becomes worse.
If you suspect that your toilet is leaking, all you need is some food colour. Add a little food colour to the toilet tank and leave it there for a while. Go back and check if there is coloured water in the toilet bowl in 10 minutes. If the water in the bowl is coloured, it means that there is a leak. To avoid staining the tank, flash immediately before you seek emergency plumbing service. An emergency plumbing service expert will also advise whether you need a new toilet.
Faucet leaks are often easy to notice and equally hard to ignore. Leaking faucets are not only easy to spot but also the easiest to solve. An emergency service provider will fix the leak by changing the faucet washers and gaskets. Wear and tear is often the most common reason for faucet leaks.

3. Clogged Drains

Clogged drains just like leaking faucets are hard to ignore and relatively easy to spot. Having a clogged drain is not only an inconvenience but also disgusting. If you do not have the block removed by an emergency plumbing service provider, it is likely to cause health issues later because it could be a breeding ground for bacteria. An accidental drop of a foreign object into the pipes or the accumulation of hair, grease and gunk in the drains is the leading cause of clogged drains. Understanding the reason you are experiencing a block is the easiest way to guard against it in the future.

Other than debris down the drain, offset pipes can be another cause for blocked drain. Over time the foundation of your house will shift and settle. This movement can cause pressure on the pipes causing them to break or offset. Other than shifting ground, roots from trees can cause the drain pipes to move and offset. Roots grow at a slow rate, but they are extremely powerful, and they can travel great distances in search of water. Considering that it is all happening underground offset pipes are not easy to spot, and you need an emergency plumbing service provider to find and fix the problem.

Contact the Professionals!

Have you noticed that your bill is higher than usual and you suspect a leak? Do not hesitate to contact My Professional Plumber in Knoxville, TN, for expert and professional services.