Plumbing emergencies can strike at any time, leaving homeowners scrambling to find a solution. Knowing what constitutes a plumbing emergency and what can wait until normal business hours can save you time, money, and stress in the long run. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at four common areas of plumbing – garbage disposals, water heaters, drain and sewer, and plumbing pipes – and identify the problems that are considered emergencies, as well as those that can wait.
Garbage Disposal Emergency
- Emergency: The garbage disposal is completely jammed and cannot be cleared with a reset button. This can cause water to back up in the sink and potentially flood the kitchen, so be sure to avoid using that sink.
- Not as severe: The garbage disposal is making a strange noise or not working as well as it should. This can likely wait until normal business hours to be addressed.
Water Heater Emergencies
- Emergency: There is no hot water or a leak around the water heater. Having no hot water can be a serious issue, especially during the winter when the water is near freezing tempteratures. Additionally, a water heater leak can cause water damage to your property and should be addressed as soon as possible.
- Not as severe: The water is not as hot as it should be or there is a slight leak. These issues can wait until normal business hours to be addressed. Be sure to minimize your use of water to prevent the issue from becoming worse.
Drain and Sewer Emergencies
- Emergency: If your main drain or sewer line is completely blocked and is causing water to back up in the bathtub, shower, or toilet, this is a serious plumbing emergency. This can quickly become a health hazard and should be addressed immediately.
- Not as severe: The drain or sewer is running slowly. This can likely wait until normal business hours to be addressed.
Pipe Emergencies
- Emergency: A pipe has burst, causing water to flood the home. This can cause significant water damage to your property and belongings. Any significant leak should be addressed as soon as possible.
- Not as severe: A pipe is leaking, but the leak is small and contained. This can wait until normal business hours to be addressed.
Conclusion
It’s important to note that any significant plumbing issue should be taken seriously, and homeowners should be cautious with any problem they’re unsure of. If you’re ever unsure about whether or not an issue is a plumbing emergency, it’s best to call the professionals at America’s Plumbing Company. We will be able to assess the situation and provide you with the best course of action. Check out our Google reviews to see what your neighbors have to say!