You throw a load of laundry into the wash and voila! Your clothes are clean. You jump in the shower and are met with warm water to clean yourself, so nice! It’s true, we are accustomed to modern plumbing and are surprised at how hard it is to live without it when it fails.
Here are some of the most common plumbing emergencies that our team at Frank Gay Services has come across!
#1. Clogged Toilets
#2. Clogged Sinks & Tubs
#3. Burst Pipes
#4. Lack of Hot Water
#5. Broken Water Line
#6. Running Toilet
#7. Sewage Backup
#8. Leaks
#1. Clogged Toilets
Nothing is worse than a toilet that just won’t flush. When you pull the handle, the water in the bowl doesn’t drain; instead, it just keeps filling up. Yikes!
This is typically brought on by some form of obstruction, such as an excessive amount of toilet paper, feminine products or that toy that your child threw in there when you weren’t looking.
Beware: if you keep attempting to flush it, the toilet’s contents may pour over your bathroom floor. This is a major issue, particularly if it affects the only toilet in your house.
While a plunger may help loosen the clog, if that doesn’t work, it is time to call in the professionals from Frank Gay Services.
#2. Clogged Sinks & Tubs
It’s one thing to have a sink that drains slowly, but it is a different thing entirely if it won’t drain at all. This can become a serious problem if things are overflowing onto the floor. Water can cause a lot of damage!
First, you might try to unclog the drain with your fingers or a plunger, but again, if this doesn’t work, you need to call in a professional plumber who can unclog the drain.
Learn More > Drain Cleaning Vs. Drain Clearing
#3. Burst Pipes
Just like the name suggests, a burst pipe occurs when a pipe breaks unexpectedly. If there is a “burst” an extremely large amount of water will come rushing out where the break occurred.
Burst pipes often happen if your pipes are old
or have been breached by a tree root.
To prevent this from happening, you should have your pipes checked from time to time to ensure that they are in good condition to withstand the regular wear and tear of your household.
#4. Lack of Hot Water
There’s nothing like a good ole’ cold shower…not!! If you jump in the shower and are met with a deluge of chilly water, there might be something wrong with your water heater.
Some of the most common problems that affect water heaters include:
- Heating elements breaking
- Sludge building up inside the tank
- Broken dip tube
Don’t worry. All of these things can be fixed by our team at Frank Gay Services! Though sometimes unpreventable, you can help mitigate a water heater breakdown by looking out for any moisture on or around your water heater. This can often be a sign of a bigger problem waiting to happen.
#5. Broken Water Line
Every home has a water line that delivers water from the local water source directly to the home. If this isn’t working, you might notice that there is no water coming through your pipes, the pressure might be lower throughout the home, or it might sputter.
A good indicator of a problem with the water line is if
you notice wet, soggy patches in your yard.
This is something that you want to get fixed ASAP as unfixed leaks can increase utility bills!
#6. Running Toilet
Does it seem like your toilet won’t stop running? While it might be usable, this can waste a lot of water! No need to be worried though, a running toilet is usually a simple fix.
The most common causes are:
- A broken or dirty flapper
- Too long or too short of a chain between the flapper and flush lever
- The float is out of position
If you try these quick fixes and your toilet is still running, call our plumbing pros at Frank Gay Services! We will fix the problem quickly and efficiently!
#7. Sewage Backup
You may smell a sewage backup before you see it. The sewer is where all your home’s waste goes once it’s flushed, and when it backs up, this waste will come back up into your home. Yuck.
Not only does this smell bad, but it can be a health risk to those who live in your home.
If you notice a sewage backup happening, call a plumber immediately. Once the problem is taken care of, make sure to sanitize the area thoroughly to prevent anyone from getting sick.
#8. Leaks
Severe water leaks are just like flushing your money down the drain. If you notice any kind of leak in your home, you need to call someone to fix it right away.
Remember, water damage can be quite costly to fix and can also cause mold poses health risks to anyone living in the home. So, it is important to get any leaks, big or small, taken care of ASAP.
Learn More > Preventing 5 Common Plumbing Problems
24/7 Plumbing Service
When you run into a plumbing emergency, the first thing you should do is relax, then call our professional plumbers at Frank Gay Services! We can fix leaks, drain clogs, burst pipes, and water heaters any time day or night.
Plumbing problem? Don’t wait! Call our team at Frank Gay Services; (407) 329-5145!
