When to Call an Emergency Plumber | Irving, TX

4/21/2020

Photo By Monkey Business Images at Shutterstock

Water can cause significant damage to your home very quickly, so it’s important to know when to call an emergency plumber in Irving, TX to get the issue fixed as soon as possible. Sometimes it will be obvious that you need an emergency plumber if there is water pouring from a pipe or your home has flooded. However, there are some situations where it may not be clear if you have an emergency on your hands or a problem that can wait until Monday morning. So, it’s important to know how to recognize a plumbing emergency to protect your home and its contents.

What Is a Plumbing Emergency?

A plumbing emergency is any situation where water is causing damage to your home, especially if you can’t find and stem the source. Here are the signs that you should call an emergency plumber right away.

1.  Flooding

If there is water pooling rapidly in your home, this is a plumbing emergency whether you can locate the source or not. The most common causes of household flooding are burst pipes and blocked plugholes or toilets. This can cause serious damage to your home, so you should immediately call a plumber to fix the problem and ensure it doesn’t reoccur.

2.  Overflowing toilet

Although you can often fix a blocked toilet yourself or wait until business hours to call for help, you should call an emergency plumber if it is overflowing. An overflowing toilet can be a sign of an underlying issue with your plumbing, and it can cause serious water damage. Until the plumber arrives, do not allow anyone to flush the toilet or you could increase the level of flooding.

3.  Leaking pipes

One of the most common reasons that homeowners in Irving, TX call for an emergency plumber is a leaking or burst water pipe. This is an emergency even if the water isn’t gushing because it could cause serious damage to your drywall or flooring. An experienced plumber will be able to locate and fix the leak. They can also give your plumbing system a thorough check to see if there are any underlying issues.

4.  Frozen pipes

Frozen pipes are a common problem during the winter months. As temperatures plummet, the water inside your pipes can freeze. This causes it to expand, creating cracks in your outdoor plumbing. Not only could this cause a serious leak, but it could also prevent water from reaching the inside of your home. You should always call an emergency plumber if you have frozen pipes instead of trying to defrost them yourself.

5.  Unpleasant odors

If you detect a smell of sewage when your water is running, you should phone a plumber right away. This is a sign of an issue with your sump pump or septic system. Eventually, water from the sewer line will start running from your faucets, leaving you unable to use any water or flush the toilet until it is fixed. This type of issue should always be dealt with by a professional, as it could be dangerous to try and fix it yourself.

6.  Blocked drains

It’s not unusual for drains to become clogged up with bits of food and other debris. Although a blocked drain isn’t in itself always an emergency, it can lead to one if you don’t get it fixed quickly. So, you should call a plumber right away, especially a backed-up drain is causing water to accumulate in your sink.

7.  Leaking water heater

A leaking water heater is a plumbing emergency. This is because a water heater contains a large amount of water, so you could end up with major flooding if you don’t act quickly. You can establish whether the heater itself is the source by taking a look at the drip pain. If it is, you should turn off the cold water supply to the heater and switch off the unit while you wait for an emergency plumber.

Dealing with a Plumbing Emergency

It can be easy to panic when faced with a plumbing emergency such as flooding in your home, so it’s important to know what steps to take so you can act quickly and prevent any further damage to your home.

The first thing you should do is to shut off the water supply to your home using the stopcock. This is usually located near your water meter, and it’s a good idea to find out where yours is if you’re unsure so that you can find it quickly in an emergency. This will stop water from flowing through your pipes and making a flood or leak worse. You should also turn off your water heater if this is the source of your emergency.

Once you’ve shut off the water, it’s time to call an emergency plumber. You should give them as much information about your plumbing emergency as possible so that they can advise you on what to do to keep yourself safe and mitigate any damage to your house. If they advise you to leave your home, it is important to comply.

If it’s OK to wait inside your home, you should now take steps to avoid further water damage. You can place buckets, old towels or even pots and pans under small leaks to collect the water. If there is flooding, try to soak up as much water as you can using cloths, towels or a mop. Clear any valuable items from the flooded area, or even better clear the area entirely to allow easy access for your plumber.

The Bottom Line

Plumbing emergencies are stressful and can cause damage to your home, so it’s best to be prepared. Make sure you have the number of an emergency plumber in Irving, TX ready so you know who to call. bluefrog Plumbing & Drain of North Dallas are always on hand to help homeowners in Irving, TX with any plumbing emergency including burst pipes, flooding and overflowing toilets.