Most plumber visits are due to scheduled maintenance or inspections. However, there are instances where we are not sure whether to call the plumber or not, especially at night or over the weekend, when emergency rates are usually higher. Here are a few suggestions for when you probably should call a plumber anytime of the day or night.
1. Water is gushing
If you are unable to turn off the water supply in your home, and water is gushing everywhere, you probably have a serious leak. It could be that a pipe has burst, or a sewer has backed up. Before extensive damage occurs, contact a local plumbing service. They might be able to offer advice over the phone, but chances are they will need to see the problem before accurately diagnosing it and then repairing it.
2. Unusual stains or spots
Even small water trickles can gradually damage floors, walls, and furnishings. Minor spots can grow mold or become mildewed, which may spread behind walls, floors, and ceilings, and an odor could develop. Contact plumbers quickly to get the problem under control.
3. You cannot find the source of a leak
Even a slow leak can be bothersome if you do not know its source. An unstoppable trickle can quickly begin to grow mold, peel wallpaper, damage paint, and warp flooring. Although you may be tempted to try and fix the problem yourself since it is rather small, don’t wait too long, or the slow-growing problem could become massive if a leaky pipe bursts or if serious damage results from the water flow. Catch or contain the water as best you can while waiting for a plumber.
4. Your plumbing system is unusable
When toilets don’t flush, the sink doesn’t drain, washing machines or dishwashers aren’t functioning due to water backup, these problems are disrupting your household operations. If the problems are water-related, you can call a professional plumbing company for an inspection and diagnosis. The problem can often be fixed immediately or within a short period of time. Even a broken toilet float or tub drain can cause problems and frustrations. If the plumbing company cannot fix your problem, they can probably advise you who to call.
Home plumbing may seem fairly straightforward and uncomplicated. But most people do not fully understand how to diagnose and repair common plumbing problems. Sometimes we waste time trying to fix the issue when plumbers could handle it in a fraction of the time. If a true emergency like those above should occur, consider calling your local plumbing company quickly to get the issue taken care of. The sooner the issue is fixed, the quicker your family life can return to normal.
