Need An Emergency Plumber? What To Do If You Have A Plumbing Problem | Carrollton, TX
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Becoming a homeowner means taking on lots of new responsibilities, which includes keeping an eye out for plumbing problems. Knowing when it’s time to call a plumber (and when you need to hire an emergency plumber) is an important part of protecting your Carrollton, TX, home from water damage and minimizing plumbing problems. If you think you might have a plumbing problem that requires professional help, here’s how you can decide if you need to call a plumber, as well as some tips for dealing with the problem.
Assess the Problem
The first thing you need to do if you have a plumbing problem in your home is to assess the problem so you have information when you call a plumber. Your plumber will want to know when you first noticed the problem, where it occurred, and any other details that may be important when it comes to repairs.
Once you understand the magnitude of a plumbing problem, you can decide what you need to do next. Sometimes it’s best to call an emergency plumber, but you might simply need to shut off water to a fixture in your home and wait for a standard plumbing service appointment. In any case, it’s always a good idea to spend a moment assessing a plumbing problem before you call a plumber, that way you can give them the details they need for a quick fix.
Is It an Emergency?
While there are a lot of home repairs that aren’t time-sensitive, you never know when you’re going to have a plumbing emergency that requires a quick fix. When you’re taking the time to assess a plumbing problem in your home, make sure you also consider whether or not you need to hire an emergency plumber.
Burst pipes are the most common plumbing emergency because of the absurd amount of damage they can cause. Burst pipes occur when a pipe freezes, expanding the water inside and cracking the pipe. When that water thaws back out, it can run freely out of the pipe, leading to expensive water damage. If you notice a pipe gushing water in a wall or in your crawlspace, shut the water off to your home and call an emergency plumber as soon as you can.
Standing water and sewage backups are also plumbing emergencies, especially when you consider the potential health risks involved. An emergency plumber can use specialized equipment and techniques to remove sewage and other harmful standing water from your home without exposing anybody to the harmful chemicals that are in sewage.
If you’re not sure whether you’re dealing with a plumbing emergency or not, it’s always a good idea to call a plumbing company and see what they have to say. If you describe your problem in full detail and a shop recommends hiring an emergency plumber, it’s a good idea to shut off your water and pony up the dough.
Turning Off Water
One of the most important things you can do if you have a leak or a similar plumbing problem in your home is shut off your water as soon as possible. Water is constantly flowing through your pipes, with valves keeping the water from coming out of your fixtures all the time. If there’s a leak, that water will continue flowing out of the pipe it’s leaking from, filling your crawlspace or wall and making your monthly water bill skyrocket.
If you have a problem that warrants the help of an emergency plumber, make sure you go straight to your main water shutoff valve after making the call. For leaks that are confined to one fixture, you can use the shutoff valve for that individual fixture so you can continue using water elsewhere in your home.
If you don’t know where your main water shutoff valve is, take the time to look around your house and locate it. Alternatively, you can have a plumber show you where it’s at. As a homeowner, it’s crucial that you know where your main water shutoff valve is and how and when to turn your water off to prevent damage.
Preventing Plumbing Problems
While it’s important to know how to handle plumbing problems, it’s even more important to do what you can to prevent them. The truth is, most plumbing problems are either a result of the age of the pipes, fittings, or fixtures or a lack of maintenance and repairs over the years. If you don’t want to spend a fortune hiring emergency plumbers, taking steps to maintain your plumbing system and prevent problems is important.
As far as burst pipes go, all you need to do is make sure all exterior pipes are properly insulated. This isn’t generally a huge problem since it doesn’t get below freezing in Texas very often. However, you can also add heat cable to pipes to keep them warm manually, which basically guarantees you won’t have to call an emergency plumber.
If you haven’t had anybody take a look at your plumbing system in a while, now is a good time. A plumber can take a quick look at pipes, fittings, and fixtures to look for any problems, including recommending upgrades based on the age of things. This is the best way to make sure your plumbing system is always in good shape.
Give Us a Call
It’s no secret that homeowners have a lot on their plates when it comes to maintenance and repairs. However, a little plumbing knowledge can be a big help when it comes to keeping your home’s plumbing in working order year after year.
If you have a plumbing problem in your Carrollton, TX, home, bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of North Dallas is here to help. From plumbing installation to maintenance and repairs, we do everything it takes to keep your home in great shape. Call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of North Dallas at (469) 573-2535 to stop your plumbing problems today.
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