So, it’s Friday night, and you have discovered a plumbing problem in your home. Or, it’s the night before Thanksgiving, and you’ve just stepped into a puddle on the floor. Or maybe it’s 8 pm, and your water heater stopped working. These things never seem to happen on a Monday afternoon, do they? You might be wondering if you should call an emergency plumber or wait it out until the weekend or the holiday is over. Every homeowner has their definition of a plumbing emergency, and that’s okay. We all have a different tolerance level when it comes to a plumbing issue.
A Burst Pipe Requires An Emergency Plumber
If water is gushing from a wall or ceiling, you have a burst pipe. This is a plumbing emergency; immediately shut off the water at the main shut-off valve; it’s usually located outside your house or in the garage near the pressure regulator valve. Turning off the water quickly to the home is critical to prevent collateral further damage. Depending on the damage, in most cases, your emergency plumber can repair the pipe and have your water turned back on faster than you thought possible. You can schedule damaged drywall and carpet for another day. Most important is that a homeowner should not go without running water while still living in the home.
A Slab Leaks Is Considered A Plumbing Emergency
Your mail arrived, and you open your water bill and noticed it went through the roof. You know something is wrong. Before you call an emergency plumber, there are some things you can do to troubleshoot the problem. First, turn all the water off in the home and check your water meter. Locate the red spinning triangle on your meter; this is called a “leak indicator.” If it’s spinning and all your water is off, then you have a water leak. If you turn off your irrigation valve and the leak indicator stops, then the water leak is in your irrigation. Some meters don’t have a leak indicator, but the actual meter will move when there is running water somewhere in the house. You can write down the meter reading, wait 30 minutes and return to see if it’s moved up.
Once you know water is leaking, call for an emergency plumber. In many instances, this is a slab leak. While waiting for your plumbing technician to arrive, you can complete more troubleshooting by checking for water pooling on the floor, discolored tiles, or damp carpet. You might also notice that the water pressure is low when you turn on the faucet or shower.
A Clogged Sewer Line Is A Plumbing Emergency
Sewage is pouring backward out of your drains. If your sewer main is clogged, and sewage is backing up into a toilet or even bathtub. You need to call for an emergency plumber because a clogged sewer line means your toilets, sinks, shower, dishwasher, and washing machine are off-limits. A backed-up sewer line is a health hazard as well. Call an emergency plumbing technician so that they can snake or hydro-jet your drains and save you from a weekend of sewage horrors!
When You Suspect A Gas Leak Call 911, your Gas Company, and Your Emergency Plumber
If something smells like rotten eggs, chances are you have a gas leak. There is no smell or taste to natural gas, so the gas companies add a harmless chemical called mercaptan. The smell is a warning that you have a gas leak in or around your home. Another sign of a gas leak is hissing noise coming from a gas-powered appliance. If you know where the shut-off valve is, turn off the gas to the appliance. Every gas-powered appliance should have a shut-off valve. When you smell gas, hear gas, or see a broken gas line, call 911 first, then your local gas company and your Big B’s plumbing contractor to make the necessary repairs. In an emergency, you can turn off the main gas shut-off valve normally located at the meter.
