Plumbing emergencies arrive without warning. From burst pipes and leaks, to flooding and sewer backups, understanding how to respond when the unexpected happens can help you minimise any damage and quickly find an effective remedy. Here’s our guide to handling plumbing emergencies like a pro, before the pros arrive on scene.
What is a plumbing emergency?
Some plumbing problems can wait to be solved, but others need a solution, fast. So how do you know you have a plumbing emergency on your hands? Here are some typical situations, and what you should do:
1. My pipe is leaking
Leaky pipes can be considered a plumbing emergency, but it does depend on the size of the leak.
Water leaks can affect the integrity of your home. Mold and mildew can also form, which can result in health issues. Leaking water is also a fire hazard as it might reach electrical wiring.
So, what should you do when you notice a leaking pipe? Try to act fast: find your stop valve and shut it off immediately. If you can’t isolate the leak, that’ll mean no running water – which classes as a plumbing emergency. So be sure to call an emergency plumbing repair company.
2. My pipes have damaged or burst
Damaged or burst pipes can quickly cause flooding – which is always bad news. Just a single burst pipe can release litres of water in a short time, weakening your walls and floors, and causing damage to your belongings.
Burst pipes can occur due to various reasons, but they’re more common in the winter. The pipes can freeze, which will then cause damage.
The best you can do when you notice a badly damaged or burst pipe is to shut off the main water supply before calling a local emergency plumber. Then, try to save any furniture and your other belongings to prevent further water damage.
3. My toilet is overflowing
An overflowing toilet can have many causes, from clogged pipes to a damaged float mechanism.
Turning off the water supply in this case is a good idea. Often, only need to reach for the water valve behind the toilet and turn it clockwise. First, you might want to try the plunger, but if toilet keeps overflowing, it’s an emergency.
You might then need to turn the water off at the mains, meaning you’d have no water until the issue gets fixed. Your best bet is to call an emergency plumber before you have to deal with water – and other undesirable objects – overflowing from your toilet.
4. I think I have a gas leak
Gas leaks are always an emergency, because of the dangers that can be caused as a result of the leak. But how can you detect one, what should you do (and not do) in case of a gas leak?
One key sign of a gas leak is the smell. To make gas leaks easier to detect, gas companies add odorants to create a smell similar to sulphur or rotting eggs. Another thing to listen out for is hissing noises. Large gas leaks can produce hissing noises in appliances, even if it’s switched off.
If you smell or detect gas in your home, act immediately. First, avoid smoking, burning any naked flames, or using any electrical devices. Locate the mains gas control – which should be close to your meter, and shut off the supply.
Next, ventilate your home by opening all windows and doors. If you’re unable to ventilate your home, get outside and into the fresh air to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Once you’r safe, alert your gas company.
Not all emergency plumbers are trained to deal with gas leaks and only an engineer who is Gas Safe registered should attend to this type of work.
When should I call an emergency plumber?
While many plumbing emergencies can be prevented from getting worse by acting fast, the actual problem-detection and repairs might require a professional plumber. Be sure to use an experienced emergency plumber, and consider using a local business for faster response times and less unexpected costs.
Call Firwood Plumbing and Heating – your local emergency plumber
Don’t hesitate to contact us here if you have any kind of plumbing emergency or water damage-related issue. We have experienced local emergency plumbers, with 20 years of experience serving Bolton, Bury, Chorley and beyond. We are also gas safe registered for any gas related emergencies.