Plumbing Emergencies
Emergencies take us by surprise, which is part of the reason that they are so stressful. Truth be told though, most plumbing emergencies can be avoided altogether through awareness, planning ahead, and proactively maintaining your plumbing.
We’ve put together a list of the most common plumbing emergencies we see here in Milwaukee, WI, as well as ways in which you can avoid having to experience them.
Fixtures That Leak
Your dripping faucet is more than an annoying noise in the bathroom. If you were to leave that drip alone, you’d be wasting in the neighborhood of 3000 gallons of water a year!
That’s a pretty hefty water bill. It’s not just the cost of the water bills. That water can do damage too that is expensive. Most leaky faucets are caused by worn washers.
If you are handy, you can probably replace them yourself. If not, call your plumber for help.
Burst Pipe Emergency
A burst pipe can flood your home in a matter of minutes, causing serious damage to your home’s structure, decor and your belongings.
This is one plumbing emergency that you want to avoid. Pipes burst when they are worn or damaged, which can happen with age.
More commonly, pipes will burst when they freeze. To keep your pipes from freezing, don’t turn the thermostat down too far at night.
Don’t turn the heat off when you go away on holiday. Run water frequently. For pipes that are on exterior walls, consider wrapping them in insulation or heat tape for extra warmth.
Drains Get Blocked
Have you ever not been able to use your kitchen sink, a shower or a tub because the drains were completely blocked?
That is extremely inconvenient. This plumbing problem is easily preventable. In your kitchen, don’t let food scraps fall down the drain.
In the bathrooms, insert a hair trap in the drain to catch the hair. It’s also worthwhile to have a drain cleaning done by a professional on a regular basis.
Toilet Issues
Again, a running toilet makes an annoying noise, but there is a lot more at stake than that. Your floorboards, walls and ceilings are all at risk of being destroyed by a running toilet.
If this is happening to you, get it fixed right away. Be careful not to let your toilet overflow. If it is blocked, water may very well flow up and out of your toilet, into your bathroom and beyond.
The damage can be widespread, depending on how long it is overflowing. This risk can be eliminated by putting toilet paper only in the toilet.
Everything else should go in the trash can. Wondering how else you can keep your plumbing in great shape? Just ask us.