You’ve got a plumbing emergency at 3 AM?…
Don’t panic. You are not alone.
Emergency plumbing issues are part of life. They always seem to happen at the worst times. A burst pipe in your basement when you’re away. A clogged toilet on the verge of overflowing during a dinner party…
The problem is most homeowners freak out when these things happen.
They don’t know which emergencies they can handle on their own and which need professional assistance. Worst of all, they don’t know how to minimize damage while waiting for help.
Burst pipes make up a whopping 37% of all emergency plumbing calls. In other words, if you own a home long enough, there’s a good chance you’ll experience this nightmare scenario at some point.
The good news is you can take care of most emergency plumbing situations like a pro with the right know-how and some quick thinking. You can minimize damage, save money, and even handle some repairs yourself.
You’re about to discover:
- Most Common Emergency Plumbing Issues
- Quick Fixes You Can Do Yourself
- How to Know When to Call for Help
- Tips for Minimizing Water Damage Fast
Most Common Emergency Plumbing Issues
Let’s jump right into the emergency plumbing issues that send homeowners into panic mode…
The plumbing industry is huge – it is projected to reach $169.8 billion by 2025 according to one market research report. With numbers like that you’d think emergency calls would be the exception. Think again.
Burst Pipes: Worst Nightmare Scenario
Broken or burst pipes top the list of plumbing nightmares for a reason. Burst pipes cause the most damage in the shortest time. The next thing you know your living room looks like the Titanic’s set during the opening scene with water shooting out of your walls.
Common causes include freezing temperatures, high water pressure, old corroded pipes, tree roots, and bad installations. The scary part is most pipes are hidden behind walls, above ceilings, or under floors. You may not notice a problem until major damage has occurred.
Overflowing Toilets
There is nothing more embarrassing than a toilet that won’t stop overflowing in the middle of a dinner party…
It’s also one of the messier and more damaging emergencies you can have in your home. Overflowing water can seep into flooring, damage baseboards, and create unsanitary conditions in your home. Most toilet overflows are caused by clogs in the toilet’s drain line.
Serious Drain Clogs and Water Heater Failures
When your kitchen sink spews out greasy water with the force of Niagara Falls or your shower drain creates a small lake in your bathroom, you’ve got more than just an annoyance on your hands. Serious clogs can cause water to back up and overflow onto floors, damaging cabinets, flooring, and walls.
Water heaters don’t usually fail slowly… They tend to go out with a big boom (literally). When a water heater tank ruptures it can pour 40-80 gallons of water into your home within minutes.
Quick Fixes You Can Do Yourself
Here’s the best part about emergency plumbing…
You can fix some of these issues yourself with the right knowledge and a basic toolkit. Let’s take a look at how to DIY the most common emergency situations.
What to do if You Have Burst Pipes
Step 1: Shut off the main water supply. Water must be stopped as soon as possible. Every second counts with an uncontrolled leak like this.
Step 2: Turn off the electricity to the affected room. Water and electricity don’t mix. The last thing you want is an electrocution hazard on top of your water damage problem.
Step 3: Open faucets to drain any remaining water from the pipes.
Step 4: If you can access the break, try a temporary patch with pipe repair clamps or even duct tape for small leaks.
In all honesty though, contacting a professional emergency plumber in NYC or your local area as soon as possible is the best option. Emergency HVAC and mechanical services have specialized tools and the experience to handle these kinds of situations.
Stopping Toilet Overflows
Remain calm if your toilet begins to overflow during a dinner party. Remove the toilet tank lid and lift the flapper valve to stop more water from entering the bowl. Turn off the water supply valve behind the toilet. Attempt to plunge the clog by placing a plunger over the drain hole with firm pressure and using quick forceful plunges.
If plunging doesn’t clear the clog, you will need to use a toilet auger or call for professional assistance.
Clearing Drain Clogs and Water Heater Emergencies
If you’ve got a serious drain clog or a water heater emergency, try these safe methods before you pour harsh chemicals down your pipes…
Kitchen sinks and showers have different kinds of clogs, so there are slightly different techniques for each. The most important step for both is to remove all standing water in the sink or bathtub before you begin. Once it’s clear, you can flush the drain with boiling water and follow with baking soda, vinegar, and more hot water to help clear the clog. For shower drains, you can also remove the drain cover and remove debris with your hands if it’s accessible.
For water heater emergencies, the first step is to shut off the water supply. For gas units, turn off the gas supply and call the gas company if you smell gas. For electric units, turn off the breaker. Your first instinct may be to open the water heater tank to see what the problem is, but don’t do this. An open tank can lead to big leaks.
When to Call Professional Assistance
You can DIY some plumbing emergencies, but it’s important to know when to call the professionals.
Approximately 28% of all plumber calls are made for true emergencies. When you smell gas, sewage backs up into your home, or water is flooding your property, you need expert help.
Call a professional emergency plumber immediately if:
- You can’t locate or turn off your main water supply valve
- There is sewage backup in your home
- You smell gas around appliances
- Electrical components are exposed to water
- The leak is inaccessible, behind walls, or under your foundation
Plumbers have specialized leak detection equipment to find hidden leaks, specialized tools, and know-how for complex repairs.
How to Minimize Water Damage Fast
Time is your enemy during a water emergency…
The first thing to do in any water emergency is to stop the source. Turn off the water, lift the toilet flappers, or turn off appliances. Grab your valuables and remove them to safety immediately. Start mopping up the standing water with towels, mops, or a wet/dry vacuum if you have one. Use windows and fans to increase air circulation and slow mold growth. Take pictures and document the damage for insurance before you begin cleaning up. Water damage and mold growth worsen the longer you wait.
Prevention and Emergency Preparedness
Here’s one thing most homeowners don’t consider…
The best plumbing emergency strategy is preventing emergencies from happening in the first place. Schedule annual plumbing inspections, replace old supply lines before they fail, keep your drains flowing freely, and know where your main water shutoff valve is located.
Smart homeowners prepare for emergencies by keeping basic tools on hand like an adjustable wrench, plunger, drain snake, and pipe repair clamps. Know where your shutoff valves, electrical panels, and water heater shutoff controls are located.
Wrapping Up Emergency Plumbing: Fast Fixes for Common Problems
The key principles are to stop the water source first, ensure safety second, and minimize damage third. You can fix some problems yourself, but call professionals when the problem is out of your depth.
Calling a good emergency plumber when the situation is beyond your skills can save you thousands in water damage and restore your peace of mind. Preparation is the key to beating panic in the middle of an emergency. Know where your shutoff valves are located, keep basic tools on hand, and keep contact information for professionals in your wallet.
Because when the 3 AM emergency strikes again (and it will) you’ll be ready for it.
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