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0448 177 762A leaky tap is one thing, a plumbing emergency is another. They can happen without warning, and need an immediate response from a qualified plumber to avoid property damage and safety concerns.
Here’s a list of the most common plumbing emergencies and how you can respond to minimise the damage before the plumber arrives.
Gas leaks can pose a serious safety risk and should be treated immediately and carefully. The danger associated with a leak comes from the risk of explosion, should the gas come into contact with a spark or open flame. The first priority is to shut off the gas supply as quickly as possible.
Often, the first sign of a gas leak is the smell. If you can smell gas in your home, it is important not to ignore it. Whilst natural gas is designed to dissipate quickly in the event of a leak, it can build up in confined spaces creating a potentially dangerous situation.
Your toilet is the most used plumbing fixture in your home. When it gets blocked or fails to flush, it can turn into a big issue relatively quickly. Whilst you can try some DIY remedies to clear the blockage, remember that it is worth engaging a qualified plumber to ensure that there is no ongoing issue, as this can lead to damage and corrosion over time, not to mention presenting a health and safety hazard if raw sewage is exposed.
Toilet malfunctions are often caused by flushing incorrect objects and materials. Feminine hygiene products, dental floss, and cotton wool balls are all commonly found to be the cause of a backed-up toilet and can lead to big plumbing issues. It is important to make sure nothing is being flushed down your toilet except toilet paper and human waste product.
A burst water main can result in the loss of a substantial amount of water in a very short time frame. If the pipe is underground, it can also lead to corrosion of the foundations around your home before you even know there is a problem. When you do notice a burst water line, shut off the water as soon as possible to prevent further water loss or damage.
One way to spot a burst main line if a leak is not visible, is a loss in water pressure throughout the property, or a surge in your water utility bill, without reason. If your meter continues to record water consumption when no water is being used in the home, it is possible that you have an undiagnosed leak.
Hot water problems are common and extremely inconvenient. Occasionally, the fix is as simple as relighting the pilot, however, sometimes the problem is more complex and requires assessment, diagnosis and repair.
If there is a leak from your hot water unit, it is important to shut off not only the water supply but also the electricity to the home as well. Water leaks from hot water units can worsen extremely quickly, and cause costly damage if not addressed.
Not only can a blocked sewer cause damage, it is also considered a health and safety issue, and can produce a strong odour in the home. Employing the services of a plumber as soon as possible to clear the blockage is important. Often, the first signs of a clogged sewer system are slow drainage, bad odours travelling up from drains, pooling water around exit sites, and gurgling toilets.
The cause of blocked pipes is often build up from food scraps, hair, and other particles. However, they can also be the result of tree roots that have damaged your pipes. It is worth considering the location of your plumbing when deciding on the location of trees and plants in your garden.
With some quick thinking, and calling out a plumber as quickly as possible, plumbing emergencies can often be responded to in a way that reduces the risk of further damage, whilst keeping everyone involved safe. If you experience a plumbing emergency, it is better to call a professional like Zabs Plumbing rather than attempting to fix the problem yourself and complicating the existing issue further.