4 Plumbing Emergencies

Often, when plumbing issues arise, they may feel like a plumbing emergency. Though some issues may feel like a plumbing emergency needing to be taken care of immediately, calling an emergency plumber on a night, weekend or holiday, can come at a high premium. It’s important then to know when to call, and when to wait. When you have a plumbing issue and you are not a licensed plumber or even handy, you may not know how to determine whether or not you need a plumber immediately. Here are four plumbing concerns that you should not wait to call your Omaha Plumber to resolve: you have no water, you have a risk of flooding, you have a risk of a pipe bursting, you have a risk of sewage backing up.

You Are Without Water

Though not having water is not always an immediate reason to call an emergency plumber, certain situations can make having no water a plumbing emergency. These situations are obviously a very serious issue, though it can be the result of several different issues and may, in fact, be a compound problem. Not having access to running water can also become a safety concern because, like a sewer back up, prevents you from using the facilities. Having no water also effects cooking and cleaning and has greater effects on babies and the elderly.

Risk of Flooding

If your home or property has a risk of flooding due to a burst pipe, water shut off valve failure, failed sump pump, or sewer back up, these are all examples of plumbing emergencies. Damage from flooding and backups can cause significant damage to structures and is a safety concern, therefore should be addressed as soon as possible. During times when the water won’t stop coming out of a tap or from a broken pipe or fixture, then it’s critical you know where to stop all the water in the house.

Risk of a Pipe Bursting

Frozen pipes and/or hose-bibs center around two of the mentioned concerns: risk of flooding and no water. If a pipe freezes, not only is water not able to pass through it, but it will expand and cause it to crack. Once the pipe thaws, it presents the risk of flooding. It’s important to know where your water shut off valves are located and how they work. Remember to ask your local Omaha plumber during his or her annual preventative maintenance visit to show you, if you don’t already know.

You Have a Risk of Sewage Backing Up

One or two slow-moving or even a clogged drain is not typically an emergency, but if you find that all the drainpipes in your home are not moving waste down through the sewer system, then you may have a problem with the underground main sewer line itself. Because this tends to shut down the entire plumbing system, it’s important not to wait too long to have a plumber come inspect it. When a sewer line backs up, sewage sits and collects at its back up point back into the home, creating a health hazard. It prevents the ability to use the facilities or run water and can cause extensive damage within the home or property - which makes living difficult as well.