What Constitutes an Emergency Plumbing Situation?
Emergency plumbers charge higher than other plumbers during non-emergencies and they have every right to do so. When it comes to our home’s plumbing, we could not predict when tragedy would strike. If we aren’t a skilled plumber, we would not have any idea what do in case of an emergency and chances are we would end up with our home soaking wet.
Fortunately, not every plumbing problem warrants an emergency plumber. It is best that you as a homeowner know which crisis needs a plumber in the wee hours of the morning and which could be dealt with during regular business hours. Knowing which is which could save you some serious cash.
Busted pipes
Busted pipes are considered to be a plumbing emergency because busted pipes lead to flooding and we don’t want that since the damage would be significantly costlier than paying for the services of an emergency plumber.
When you suspect that you have one or more busted pipes, you must call a plumber immediately. While waiting for the plumber to arrive, you could switch off the water source to minimize water leaking from the busted pipes and to avoid further flooding and damage. Once the plumber arrives at your home, they would either repair the pipe if the crack is still manageable or replace it if it is beyond repair.
Drains and toilets blockage
As a homeowner, you are the best judge on whether a blocked drain or toilet is a reason for a call to an emergency plumber. You could try to remove the blockage with a plunger to stop the toilet and or the drain from overflowing. If your drain or toilet is not overflowing but it is still clogged, you could find an affordable Melbourne plumber to check it since it could be more serious than you thought. At least since it is not overflowing (yet) you would not need for an emergency plumber.
Gas leaks
When you smell gas because of your water heater, call for an emergency plumber immediately or your gas provider since leaks are a serious hazard. Do not try to turn off the gas by your own since it might pose a more dangerous risk. Don’t try to spare some money by avoiding calling for an emergency plumber when you smell some gas leaks and you could not call your gas provider. Not only would you be risking your property, you are also risking your life and that of your family.
Frozen pipes
Frozen pipes would break, burst or crack. If your pipes are out of shape and the water freezes, the pipes would be compromised and you would have a bigger plumbing issue in your hands. An emergency plumber would not only replace the broken, frozen pipes but would also make sure that the frozen pipes that are not damaged would be thawed gently to avoid cracks.
To avoid having to call an emergency plumber in the future, make it a habit to do preventive maintenance with your pipes and plumbing system.