How To Deal With A Plumbing Emergency

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It’s easy to take clean, free-flowing water for granted — until a plumbing emergency causes major disruption to everyday routine. Burst pipes, overflowing toiletries, and dry faucets are all considered plumbing emergencies and can cause significant stress.

Knowing what to do in these situations helps minimize damage, prevents safety hazards, saves time and money, and gives you peace of mind.

While our professional plumbing team at Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric is just a phone call away on our emergency hotline 1-800-475-1504, the following information can help you immediately:

What Is Considered A Plumbing Emergency?

A leaky tap may be able to wait until the following day to be seen by a plumber, but a burst pipe needs immediate attention. The first step to managing a plumbing emergency is understanding the risk that the plumbing issue presents.

If the faulty plumbing system threatens to cause severe damage, jeopardize safety, or introduce health hazards, then you have an emergency on your hands.

Common Plumbing Emergencies

Consider the following examples of common plumbing emergencies:

• Burst pipes that cause extensive water damage to structures by flooding the area
• Large water leaks that cause severe damage
• A sudden loss of water supply (could indicate a larger problem)
• Water heater malfunctions that cause leaks or flooding
• Overflowing toilets or drains that flood the area with unsanitary water
• Gas leaks are dangerous and present a health hazard and fire risk

Assessing For A Plumbing Emergency

Some issues are more serious than others, and an experienced plumber will know how to fix the situation quickly and effectively.

In the meantime, the following factors will help determine the situation’s urgency.

• Determine the level of immediate risk to your property or health
• Consider the impact of the situation on your comfort and daily activities
• Check for safety hazards, such as gas leaks, which can be identified by a sulfur smell or hissing sound
• Call a professional to confirm the severity of the situation

Signs Of A Plumbing Emergency

Even with proper maintenance, plumbing problems can happen occasionally. While some issues, such as a dripping faucet or clogged toilet, can be handled during operating hours, a few problems need immediate attention.

Rather than tackle an issue on your own, you can look out for the following signs of an emergency and call our team:

• Experiencing multiple clogged drains
• Gurgling drains
• Banging pipes
• Drains and toilets are backing up
• Dripping sounds that are difficult to locate
• Sagging ceilings
• Low water pressure
• Damaged or burst pipes
• Overflowing toilet
• Unusually high water bill
• Signs of a gas leak
• Whistling shower head
• Knocking or popping in the water heater

Steps To Take During A Plumbing Emergency

Emergency problems are best dealt with by a professional plumbing company. Attempting to deal with a plumbing problem on your own can lead to more harm than good. Even so, there are a few key emergency plumbing steps to take that will prevent your problem from getting bigger than necessary.

Turn Off The Water Supply

The first thing to do during a plumbing emergency is to shut off the main water supply to prevent further water damage. It also prevents water waste, maintains safety, and facilitates repairs.

Turn Off The Hot Water System

Once you’ve turned off the main water valve, you need to turn off the water heater to prevent the unit from overheating or bursting as it continues to heat “water.” It also helps to keep utility costs low.

Call A Plumber

After you’ve confirmed that no further damage can occur, you need to call a plumber. Don’t wait around, and don’t attempt to fix anything on your own.

Remove Valuables And Electronics

Relocate all valuables and electronics away from the water source to prevent damage. Consider valuable documentation, household appliances, and art or rugs.

Make A Note Of Warning Signs

Grab a piece of paper and pen (or open a note on your phone) and make notes of the warning signs for the professional. These warning signs help the plumber find the root cause of the issue.

Soak Up Floods Or Leaks

It’s important to clean up any flooding and address any leaks to prevent any accidents. Use rags to mop up any liquid while you wait for the plumber.

The Importance Of Professional Services

Tackling a plumbing emergency on your own can worsen the situation and increase the safety risk.

Instead, hiring a professional plumber and getting expert advice can fix the problem with minimal collateral damage.

Professional plumbers have attention to detail that identifies the real problem and fixes it to prevent further damage. The service quality surpasses anything you can achieve on your own, with expert training and professional advice to help with future issues.

How To Prevent Plumbing Emergencies

We’ve explored effective ways to deal with plumbing emergencies, but certain steps can prevent the unfortunate situation from happening in the first place.

Consider the following tips to prevent plumbing emergencies in the home and the workplace.

• Schedule seasonal plumbing checklists at least twice a year, considering the impact of the South Florida rainy season on plumbing systems.
• Be mindful of regular plumbing inspections and maintenance to identify any issues before they become significant.
• Regularly check for leaks below sinks, around the toilet, and by other appliances (get simple, non-major leaks fixed as soon as possible).
• Keep an eye on the home’s water pressure and call a plumber if you can’t identify the cause of abnormally low water pressure.
• Avoid clogging drains, and make sure that you dispose of all garbage appropriately.
• Familiarize yourself with the location of your valves and monitor for any corrosion.