As a homeowner, plumbing emergencies can be a huge source of stress and expense. From burst pipes to overflowing toilets, these issues can cause significant damage to your home and cost you a lot of money in repairs. To help you avoid costly repairs and save time and stress, here's what you need to know about the common causes of plumbing emergencies.
One of the most frequent plumbing problems is clogged drains. Over time, hair, soap scum, food particles, and other debris can accumulate in your drains leading to slow draining or complete blockages. If left unchecked, these blockages can cause water to back up into your home resulting in flooding and water damage.
To prevent clogged drains from becoming an issue it's important to practice regular maintenance. Cleaning out drains with a plunger or snake is an effective way to remove any buildup before it becomes a problem. Additionally, using mesh screens on shower and sink drains will help catch debris before it enters your pipes.
Another common plumbing emergency is faulty water heaters. Malfunctioning water heaters could be due to mineral buildup, broken thermostats or faulty heating elements - all of which should be addressed quickly before they lead to further problems.
To prevent this type of emergency from occurring it's important that you have your water heater inspected annually by a professional plumber. This will help ensure that any potential issues are caught early on so they don't become serious problems down the line.
Leaking pipes are another common plumbing emergency that can occur anywhere in your home’s system - from small drips all the way up through major floods. Corrosion, loose fittings, or even tree roots growing into the pipes are just some of the causes for leaks.
The best way to prevent leaks is by regularly inspecting your pipes for signs of corrosion or other damage. Additionally, if you notice any dripping faucets or running toilets, make sure they're addressed quickly before they become bigger problems.
Overflowing toilets are another common plumbing emergency. This usually happens when too much toilet paper is flushed down at once, or when foreign objects become lodged in the pipes. When this happens, toilet overflow can cause flooding throughout your home.
The best way to avoid overflowing toilets is by being mindful about what gets flushed down them. Never flush anything other than toilet paper, and try not to flush large amounts at once.
Burst pipes are one of the most serious types of plumbing emergencies. This typically occurs when exposed pipes freeze during cold weather, or when old corroded ones break. Burst pipes can cause significant flooding and water damage throughout your home.
The best way to prevent burst pipe disasters is by making sure all exposed piping has proper insulation during cold weather months. Additionally, having annual inspections done by professional plumbers will help identify any potential issues before they become serious problems.
Plumbing emergencies can be costly and stressful for homeowners, but knowing what causes them as well as how best to prevent them will save time, money, as well as headaches! Clogged drains, faulty water heaters, leaking pipes, overflowing toilets, and burst pipe disasters are some examples that require regular maintenance and inspections done by professionals for prevention purposes!