We’ve all been there before. You’re in the middle of doing something when all of a sudden, you hear a loud bang or hissing noise coming from your plumbing. Or maybe you go to turn on the faucet, and nothing comes out. Plumbing emergencies can be a real pain, but they don’t have to be. Here are the top 5 plumbing emergencies and how to handle them like a pro.
Burst Pipe
One common plumbing issue many have is a burst pipe. The first thing you’ll want to do is shut off the water at the main valve. Once the water is shut off, you can assess the situation and decide whether to call a professional or fix the problem yourself. If the damage is extensive, it’s always best to call in a professional.
Clogged Sink
A clogged sink is one of the most common plumbing problems. You can try a few things to unclog your sink on your own, like using a plunger or drain snake. You can also try putting one cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by one cup of vinegar to see if that will unblock the drain. If these methods don’t work, you may need to call in a professional to clear the blockage.
Toilet Clog
If your toilet is clogged and the plunger won’t clear it, you might need to use a snake. This goes further down the loosen the blockage so the toilet can flush. If you can’t access a snake or buy one, you can always call a professional plumber to do it for you.
Leaking Faucet
A dripping faucet may not seem like an emergency, but it can waste up to 3 gallons of water daily. If your faucet is leaking, see if you can tighten the packing nut under the handle first. If that doesn’t work, then it’s time to replace the washer inside the valve stem assembly. You can usually do this yourself, but if it’s not working for you, you can always call in reinforcements.
No Hot Water
If your water heater isn’t working, first check to see if there’s power going to it—sometimes, the pilot light can go out without you realizing it. If there’s no power going to it or that doesn’t solve the problem, it may require further repairs. This is something best left to the professionals because of all the safety hazards involved.
Plumbing emergencies can be a real headache, but with the right knowledge and tools, you can handle them like a pro. From burst pipes to clogged sinks and leaking faucets to no hot water, there are solutions for all of these common plumbing problems. If you are in doubt or the problem is too big for you to tackle yourself, don’t hesitate to call an experienced professional who will help get your plumbing back up and running quickly and safely. With this simple guide as your reference toolkit, you should now feel more confident about tackling any emergency that comes your way.
