Plumbing Emergencies 100 years ago vs today.
It’s hard to think about what life must have been like 100 years ago. Could you imagine having to go to the nearest stream or lake on a daily basis to fetch water to bathe, cook, clean and feed the animals?
Thankfully for most of us, the convenience of having clean water at the twist of a nozzle is a comfort we take for granted. But what happens when this lifeblood you rely so heavily upon goes haywire?
Your reality is turned upside down. The plumbing system in your home is highly complex and just like anything else you use on a daily basis, things go wrong from time to time.
Knowing what to look for and how to fix common plumbing problems can save you money and time going forward. Below we’ve outlined some of the most common plumbing emergencies and how to deal with them.
Common Plumbing Emergencies List
Clogged Drains
If you’ve had access to running water for any length of time, you’re sure to have encountered a clogged drain at some point. Maybe it becomes clogged all at once or the flow of water down your drain becomes gradually slower over time. A clogged drain can be caused by any number of factors ranging from facial hair in a bathroom sink to putting greasy foods or coffee grounds down your garbage disposal.
If you find yourself with a clogged drain, you’re probably tempted to reach for that bottle of Drano. Don’t do it as Drano and similar products can damage your plumbing system and even pose a risk to your health. Instead, your best bet is to use a plunger or plumbing snake to free whatever debris is causing the clog.
Ruptured Pipes
Nothing can be more ruinous that a burst pipe. Whether the leak is small or you suddenly find yourself with Old Faithful spouting up, ruptured pipes can cause serious damage both inside and outside your home. How you go about fixing a leaky pipe depends largely upon where the leak occurs. If the leak is at a joint between two pipes or a pipe and fixture, try using a wrench to make sure the joint is tight. If the leak is in the middle of a pipe, the fix is something you can likely do yourself with the right tools, materials and minimal investment.
Clogged Toilet
It’s ugly but we’ve all been there. You go to flush your toilet and the water just runs in a continuous circle. Before you panic, grab a plunger and aggressively try and push the contents down as you flush. If this doesn’t work, try using a snake as you would to unclog a kitchen or bathroom sink. If there’s still no progress, it might be time to call an Einstein Pro.
Leaky Faucets
Drip, drip, drip. You can hardly hear it, but the faint sound is an annoyance and a sign that one of your plumbing fixtures isn’t functioning as it should. If you notice water dripping from a fixture long off you turn the water off, the first thing you should do is make sure it’s tightened down all the way. If this doesn’t do the trick, you should carefully remove the fixture and reattach it as securely as possible. If the leak still persists, call a professional.
Malfunctioning Hot Water Heater
There’s not much worse than rolling out of bed, turning on the hot water for your shower and then… no hot water. The problem is likely due to your water heater not working as it should. If your water heater is leaking, you should notice moist spots around it’s base.
If no leak seems to be present, it might be that sediment has built up to the point that the machine has to be emptied and flushed.
To prevent issues with your hot water heater, make sure you note its expiration date and perform the necessary maintenance to keep it running its best.
The fact remains that your plumbing system is what affords you many of the daily comforts you’ve become accustomed to.
Hot showers, potable drinking water, a way to clean your clothes, the list goes on. With a system that is so complex however, things are bound to wrong at some point.
Being able to spot the signs of plumbing malfunctions before they turn disastrous can go a long way in saving you both time and money. As always, should you have any questions about your plumbing, reach out to your trusted Einstein Pro for an expert opinion in Oregon, Washington and Nevada.