Plumbing emergencies have a nasty habit of sneaking into our lives when we least expect them. They’ve been known to favour the middle of the night or smack bang in the middle of a long weekend. In addition to this, they don’t show up in the form of a mildly dripping tap, but rather as a gush of water streaming out of somewhere.
When this happens, the best course of action is to call the emergency plumber Canberra locals rely on for these types of situations. When you’re dealing with a plumbing emergency, it’s essential to know what constitutes an emergency and what can wait until the morning.
Defining a Plumbing Emergency
For some people, every little plumbing issue is an emergency. While it’s a good thing to be proactive, there are some issues that can wait a few extra hours until office hours. The golden rule is that a plumbing emergency is an issue that can potentially put your family or property at risk.
A few common examples include the following:
- Any gas leaks, no matter how insignificant they seem
- Burst water pipe
- Overflowing toilet that you can’t stop
- Leaking water heater (if left unattended, it can burst)
Aside from this, there are some issues that, if left unattended, even for a few hours, have the potential to become enormous issues that will also lead to costly repairs. With this in mind, our team of experts has compiled a list of the top emergencies that may require the attention of an after-hours plumber.
Being Proactive Can Save Costs
While your 24-hour plumber doesn’t mind rushing over for any plumbing issue, it’s essential to highlight that call-outs for emergencies can be significantly higher than those in regular hours. With this in mind, our team of plumbing experts has compiled a list of the ways that you can save money from potential plumbing emergencies.
1. Address Those Minor Leaks Early
If you think small leaks don’ water, have a look at the way they add up on your water bill. Even a tap with a seemingly small drip can waste dozens of litres of water every day. You can prevent this by routinely checking all your taps as well as your water heater for potential drips.
Have these repaired before they waste excessive amounts of water or become worse. You should also check all the toilets in your home for slow drips, as these can waste as much as 16,000L of water per year.
Experts recommend occasionally checking your water meter when all the taps in your house are closed. If the meter runs when everything is off, you could be dealing with an unseen leak. If you can’t find it, call your plumber for an assessment. This not only saves you money on your water bill but could also prevent damage to your property, especially if the leak is in a wall.
2. Check the Drains
Another emergency that can be quite annoying or even costly to repair is a sink that won’t drain. This usually means there’s a blockage somewhere in the system. Some good news here is that blocked drains are avoidable and fixable if you act at the first sign of an issue.
Be strict about what gets flushed inside. Avoid flushing wipes, sanitary products, and diapers because all of these will contribute to a hard-to-clear blockage. Speak to your plumber about the right types of chemicals to use for stubborn blockages.
3. Invest in Preventative Maintenance
Another key way to prevent plumbing issues from creeping up on you is to invest in preventative maintenance. You can either create a schedule to do the checks yourself or you can outsource it to the experts. Routinely checking key plumbing fixtures for damage and worn components will go a long way toward identifying potential problems before they occur.
Knowing in advance that you have worn components that should be replaced enables you to budget and plan the repairs. Keep in mind that this is the perfect opportunity to upgrade any older plumbing fixtures, such as tapware. Always choose water or energy-efficient upgrades, as these will help to save costs in the long run.
DIY plumbing checks should involve assessing the following:
- Check your hot water system: Perform maintenance by draining and flushing the hot water tank once a year to prevent sediment build-up.
- Inspect taps and pipes: Test all the fittings, taps, and pipes, and make sure they are tight and corrosion-free. Older homes could have corroded pipes that can lead to leaks.
- Clear gutters: Be sure to clean your gutters at least twice a year to avoid water damage.
Final Thoughts
Plumbing emergencies should be managed very delicately because calling the plumber for every little issue can cost you a fortune. On the other hand, ignoring a potential problem could turn a minor issue into something major.
It’s a good idea to speak to your plumber about the issue before requesting a call-out. In addition to this, use our tips to help you prevent as many plumbing emergencies as possible!
