Avoid Being Spooked by Epic Plumbing Emergencies
Haunted house season has arrived, but that doesn’t mean homeowners should be dreading plumbing emergencies. Leaking pipes and squealing plumbing may fit great in the haunted house, but they’re the last thing homeowners want to hear, but unfortunately, plumbing problems appear at all times of the year. Understanding what constitutes an emergency is key to limiting damage in the home. In this article, emergency plumbing contractors outline the most common emergency situations.
Bone-Chilling Burst Pipes
Cold weather is a common sign that the spooky season has arrived. But it also is a common cause of pipes bursting. Extreme changes in weather and the onset of freezing pipes are the most well-known culprits of bursting, but there are extraneous factors that contribute to the nightmare.
Rusted pipes, for example, are more susceptible to bursts as they wear down. Homes that run on hard-water are more likely to suffer burst pipes, as the mineral-rich water can wear down the pipes over time and slow water flow, resulting in easier freezing of the fluid. Poor insulation is another accomplice, as poor insulation allows for more fluctuation in indoor temperatures that can lead to freezing.
Rectifying a pipe burst is expensive and time-consuming, and proactively addressing the underlying causes will help prevent a burst and a financial nightmare. Discolored water from rust or minerals, poor water flow or pressure, and stains on fixtures and walls near the pipes indicate plumbing problems that can lead to a pipe burst.
Ominous Toilet and Sink Overflow
One does not usually connect a slow draining sink to problems with the toilet, but where one plumbing fixture is struggling another soon follows. Toilets and sinks typically share a stretch of plumbing which connects to the main sewer line and often shares the same troubles.
Overflowing plumbing fixtures like sinks and toilets typically flood due to either a blockage or clog. A clogged drain is usually a simple fix with a plunger and some elbow grease, but a blocked vent-pipe, which distributes the necessary air to flush the toilet, requires an expert’s adjustment. Other overflows of the toilet can be caused by a too-high filler float, which controls the amount of water allowed to fill the toilet tank. If the valve is too high, excess water will flood the tank. Overflowing sinks and toilets lead to a homeowner’s headache, and can cause water damage, spread dirty sewage, and create a huge mess.
Frightening Sump Pump Failure
Underappreciated and hidden away in the basement lies the home’s defense against flooding: the sump pump. A sump pump is an appliance that homeowners often take for granted, something that runs in the background and slowly fades from memory. This is the unfortunate cause of many sump pump failures.
Sump pumps are part of the home’s plumbing system which keeps groundwater away from the foundation and out of the basement of homes. They are different from most pipes in that they use electricity to force water away from the home. They are essential in areas that experience heavy rainfall, flash-flooding, or frequent snowfall that results in water deposits around homes.
When sump pumps fail, flooding quickly follows. The failure itself can be caused by several factors. Clogs, poor installation, and age all contribute to the failure of sump pumps. However, usually the most extreme sump pump situations occur when the failure is caused by electricity outages. Often, outages follow severe weather outbreaks or natural disasters that increase the risk of flooding, such as severe rain or blizzards.
Homeowners that remember this information and prepare for the possibility of plumbing scares will be prepared and able to keep their home safe from plumbing fiascos. Don’t let plumbing emergencies add a fright to your life - save that for Halloween!
About Sheely Plumbing Inc.
Sheely Plumbing Inc. has been serving Alto, MI and the Greater Grand Rapids Area for over a decade. They treat every customer like family, handling any plumbing emergencies in Alto the same day and offering next day appointments for non-urgent situations. Their friendly technicians and excellent, economical, service have made them a reputable household name.
