Top Plumbing Emergencies—And What to Do If You Need an Emergency Plumber Right Away

Deal with plumbing emergencies the right way!



Leaks, burst pipes, and clogged drains and toilets—what might seem like simple problems, can turn your whole world upside down and even cause damage to your property. Worse, these plumbing emergencies can strike anytime, leaving you scrambling to find a solution and potentially facing costly repairs. 

But don’t panic! This article will guide you through the top plumbing emergencies and let you know when it's finally time to search for an emergency plumber near you.

The Importance of Good Plumbing in Your Home 

While it might not seem as important as electricity, having good plumbing is the foundation for any good house. After all, you can't expect to enjoy your home if you worry about having accessible water every other day. 

When you have good plumbing, you won’t have to worry about any plumbing emergencies such as leaks, burst pipes, or clogged drains that will not only put a huge dent in your savings but also cause a lot of damage to your house. 

However, one of the most important reasons you must have good plumbing is to help you and the people around you from getting sick. 

While it might sound like a stretch, good plumbing prevents the spread of diseases because it ensures proper sanitation, prevents the contamination of drinking water, and minimizes the risk of exposure to harmful pathogens.

Thanks to modern-day technology, plumbing systems can now help control the cleanliness of the water that you're using through mass sanitation practices. 

Top Plumbing Emergencies You Need to Keep an Eye Out For 

Plumbing emergencies can happen when you least expect them, even when you're not in the house. However, knowing the top plumbing emergencies can save you some time and help you prepare for which step you should take next. 

Clogged Toilet

Having a clogged toilet is one of the most infuriating and common plumbing emergencies, especially since the toilet is one of the most used bathroom fixtures in your home, aside from the sink. 

Luckily, clogged toilet issues are easy to fix—get yourself a toilet plunger, and you're good to go. However, calling an emergency plumber might be your next best option if your clogged toilet doesn't seem to have an easy fix. 

Burst Pipes

A burst pipe can happen anywhere in your house—the walls, the bathroom, the kitchen, and when it does, be prepared to have a significant amount of water rushing out enough to flood a room. 

Burst pipes can happen for several reasons, such as being too old, high water pressure, rust, or improper installation. As such, it's essential to check the condition of your pipes, especially if your house is old, to ensure they can survive the normal wear and tear they will experience.

Clogged or Overflowing Drain

Whether it’s a sink or a tub, having a clogged or overflowing drain can be frustrating. This is often caused by either too much hair in the drain, plastic, or when you throw away oil in the drain, and since it's caused by tiny bits and pieces, you might not even notice it right away. 

However, it's essential to realize that what might seem like tiny scraps and pieces can accumulate and cause a blockage in your drain, preventing you from using it any further. 

What To Do When You Encounter a Plumbing Emergency

While the first thing that people often do whenever there are plumbing emergencies is immediately search for an "emergency plumber near me,” there are various steps that you should always keep in mind to help minimize any damage that the plumbing emergencies might cause to you and your house. 

Here are a few steps you can take when encountering a plumbing emergency.

1. Don’t panic and turn off the main water supply.

Whether it's a burst pipe or a leak, you should first turn off the main water supply to prevent more water from entering your house. 

If you think the water will run out eventually, then you're wrong because no matter what, water is still flowing freely in your pipes. If you leave the main water supply running, the leak or burst pipe might get worse and cause flooding inside your house, destroying everything inside in the process. 

2. Keep your things out of the water.

After turning off the main water supply, keep your valuables out of the water, especially your appliances and gadgets; otherwise, they may incur water damage. If you want to be extra careful, keep a large piece of plastic on hand just in case a pipe suddenly bursts. 

3. Assess the situation.

Before panicking and searching for an "emergency plumber near me," assessing the situation first is essential: Is it fixable on your own? Or is it a big problem that requires professional help? If it's the latter, then it would best to continue your search for an emergency plumber near me. 

Calling an Emergency Plumber Near Me: Factors to Consider 

Plumbing emergencies can happen anytime. As such, you must have an emergency plumber on standby that you can always count on. However, while some emergencies might require immediate attention, you should always consider other factors besides speed when contacting an emergency plumber.

Reliable

One of the most critical factors you should consider is the reliability of the emergency plumber you're contacting. After all, if you don't want to hire an emergency plumber, that’ll only cause you more problems in the future. As such, find a reliable plumber to provide good service with transparent pricing. 

Experience

Since you're dealing with an emergency, you'd want someone with enough experience to provide you with sufficient knowledge of the plumbing situation and resolve it quickly. As such, you need to search for an “emergency plumber near me" with extensive experience and a proven track record in various plumbing emergencies. 

Availability

Since you're experiencing an emergency that you can't handle alone, you want an emergency plumber available to resolve your problems. While there are plenty of 24/7 plumbing services, a few are available and provide respectful communication and proper tools.

Licensing and Certification

While having experience and the right tools is crucial when hiring an emergency plumber, they must also have the necessary license and certification to do the job. These certifications show that the plumbers possess the required education and credentials and follow industry standards and laws. 

Tips to Ensure Your Plumbing is in Tip-Top Shape

While hiring an emergency plumber near me helps resolve your current problem, ensuring that your plumbing is in tip-top shape is vital to avoid any more costly repairs in the future. Here are a few tips you can keep in mind.

1. Use the toilet the right way.

While it might seem obvious, using the toilet the right way can save you the hassle of calling an emergency plumber shortly. However, how do you use a toilet correctly? It's simple: all you have to do is avoid flushing paper towels, feminine products, wipes, toilet paper, and other objects that can clog the toilet. 

Clogs brought on by flushing items that shouldn't be flushed can cause serious harm. They can be challenging to remove and impair your toilet. 

2. Avoid pouring oil down the drain. 

While pouring oil or grease down the drain might seem like the right thing to do since it’s also a liquid and is way easier than putting the oil in a bag or plastic container before throwing it in the bin, draining it outright can cause the most damage to your sink, even to your kitchen. 

Over time, oil and grease—often liquid—will accumulate on your pipes. While this may go unnoticed initially, it will eventually lead to blockages and maybe a sewage backup in your house. So, while waiting for the oil to harden before disposing it in the usual trash may seem like a waste of time, it’s a better and safer strategy.

3. Schedule regular maintenance.

Regular maintenance does wonders with your plumbing, especially since people often forget about them when hidden in the walls. 

Having an experienced professional do preventative maintenance on your plumbing twice a year is wise since they can do everything from drain line inspections to sewer services and other routine maintenance, ensuring that everything's in tip-top shape for the rest of the year. 

For Plumbing Emergencies, Trust Only the Experts

Whether you live in a small house or own a commercial space for your business, plumbing emergencies can happen anywhere. While there are plumbing mishaps that you can solve on your own, there are some problems that are too big for you to do alone.

From advanced leak detection to drain cleaning and water heater repairs, we’ve got you covered with fast, reliable, and professional service. At My Crossroads Plumber, we take pride in our team of skilled experts specializing in handling all types of plumbing emergencies. So, when faced with a plumbing emergency, don't fret; call My Crossroads Plumber today.