We all dread a plumbing emergency. Water leaking from an unknown location can cause all kinds of stress and chaos. If you don’t know what to do, it can feel overwhelming when something goes wrong. Whether you want to try and fix the problem yourself or need a professional, here are our top tips on what you can do if you’re facing a plumbing emergency…
What are the most common plumbing issues?
First things first. If you discover water, it’s wise to turn off the supply and attempt to find the leak. This will help you determine whether or not you can sort it yourself or need to call someone to help.
Among the common problem areas are:
- Clogged sinks, toilets, baths and shower drains
- Leaky taps, toilets, water heaters and hoses
- Broken water lines
- Burst or frozen water pipes
- Sewer system backups
A plumbing emergency is considered as:
- Burst pipes
- Overflowing toilet
- Water heater failure
- Vital water outlet damage or rupture
What steps should you take in a plumbing emergency?
If you’ve found the problem, make sure the water is turned off so it doesn’t cause any more damage. Next, check your water heater. If it’s a major problem, you’ll need to make sure your heater is turned off to prevent damaging the unit.
Hopefully, the problem will only be small. If you’ve discovered a leak and you can control it, pop old towels around it or an empty bucket underneath to catch the water. It’s likely you’ll need to call a plumber out who should be able to sort this in no time.
If it’s a much bigger issue, you may have to call the experts out sooner! They may be able to offer you important advice until they arrive. If it’s a more serious plumbing emergency, it’s important that you listen to all the instructions given to you over the phone. This may help to prevent further damage until the professionals arrive.
Unfortunately, if it is a more significant problem, you may find the bill for labour and replacement parts is expensive but necessary. It may be worth considering a payday loan to cover the costs. You’ll have to ensure you can afford the repayments before you take one out, but it could help you split the emergency costs into more affordable chunks.
