A plumbing emergency is one of those problems that can spring out of nowhere for any homeowner. Here’s how to know if it’s a true emergency.
You slip out of bed to get something to drink. As you enter the kitchen, something just doesn’t feel right. It might be the ankle-deep puddle of water you stand in.
While this is a colorful example, a pipe leak isn’t out of the ordinary. Plumbing problems can pop up when least expected. And while some can wait, others need your immediate attention.
To help you know if you have a plumbing emergency on your hands, here are the signs that your problem isn’t something that can wait.
1. Your Water Bill Is More Costly
A small jump in your water bill from month to month is normal. But unless you filled up a swimming pool for the summer, a big jump should raise questions. This usually means you have a leaking pipe somewhere that you haven’t noticed yet.
Not every pipe burst or leak will cause comical puddles on your kitchen floor. Sometimes, pipes will leak into the interior or beneath your home. This can cause serious damage over time. So, if you notice a huge jump in your water bill, have a plumber come inspect right away.
2. Your Water’s Discolored
Everyone knows the natural color of water. If brown water comes from your faucet, something is terribly wrong. This usually means one of your pipes is either blocked, rusted or corroded.
If you notice icky brown water, you should avoid drinking or bathing in it. It could cause serious health hazards. Buy bottled water if you can and don’t use your water supply until you have your pipes checked.
3. There’s a Blocked Drain
Blocked drains happen for several reasons. The most common is you or one of your family members threw food down it when their plates were rinsed. Unless you have a garbage disposal, food isn’t supposed to go down a drain.
This can make your drain completely fill with water and flood your sink. The result is tons of water on your kitchen floor. The biggest sign this is what’s going on is your sink will suddenly drain water more slowly.
You may be able to handle it with Drano and a plunger. But if it doesn’t work, call in a plumber.
4. The Toilet Has a Weak Flush
Leaving a mess behind for the next person because the toilet won’t flush is embarrassing. Especially if the next person who comes in is a guest.
Unless you have a mischievous toddler who flushed a piece of your jewelry down the toilet, it shouldn’t have a weak flush. If it does, you have an emergency with your pipes.
If you don’t get it fixed, your bathroom will get smelly pretty quickly.
5. There’s a Nasty Odor
A nasty, musty odor wafting through your home is one problem you should never ignore. It means you have bad water damage somewhere or that your pipes are corroded.
If it’s a “rotten egg” sort of smell rather than a musty one, this could mean a drain is clogged and sewage is backing up into your home.
If this is the case, you can’t wait because it poses serious health risks to your family. It could also weaken your house’s foundation if left unchecked.
6. Your Pipes Are Popsicles
During the winter, your pipes could freeze over. You can reduce this risk by letting your sink pipes drip a little overnight and leaving your cabinet doors open.
It wouldn’t be unheard of for you to go to bed and forget. If you do and your pipes freeze, you need a professional to thaw them out. If you don’t, you risk your pipes bursting and making your house unlivable.
7. Can the Issue Wait a While?
Not all plumbing problems require immediate action. Sometimes you can wait until you are more financially able to call a plumber or you can handle the issue on your own.
For example, if you have multiple bathrooms in your home and the toilet in one of them breaks, you can use the other one until you can call someone out.
If you have a minor leak in your home, you can turn off the water valve until you can get it handled.
How to Tell You Have a Plumbing Emergency on Your Hands
If you have puddles in your kitchen or your home smells of sewage, you likely have a plumbing emergency on your hands. While some problems can wait, there are some that have to be handled right away.
So the next time your plumbing is acting strangely, think back to this guide to determine how quickly you should act.
Are you standing ankle deep in water in your kitchen? We’ve got you covered. Call us at (402) 731-2727 and we’ll send one of our trained professionals out to your home.
