One of the top first world luxuries is having running water and working plumbing. The invention of piping and running water allows for more conveniences when it comes to bathing, cooking, cleaning, and staying well hydrated. When the plumbing fails to work, it can range from being a minor inconvenience to a complete catastrophe that seriously disrupts your day. An emergency could create safety issues or cause thousands in damage if not addressed immediately. Even so, there are some minor annoyances that you can fix yourself and save some money with by troubleshooting first. Here is the guide for when you need to call a 24-hour plumber, and when you can wait.
1. A lack of running water
Having a lack of running water tends to become an immediate emergency if it goes on for quite some time. Without it one is unable to cook, clean, or shower and bathe. This can become a serious problem if it goes on for some time and can often result in needing to stay in a hotel or with some friends.
2. Overflowing septic system
The septic system is the mechanism you often don’t think about or appreciate until it stops working. An overflowing septic system will cause human waste to back up through pipes, cause leakage at the burial site, and fill the area and local area with the smell of foul human waste. Left unfixed you could be fined by an HOA or have upset neighbors.
3. Small localized leakage
Small breaks or disruptions in the pipes can cause small localized leaks underneath sinks and sometimes behind walls. These should be addressed immediately as they can turn into bigger issues or lead to water damage that will likely be more expensive than the initial repair or fix in the first place.
4. Water mains
The water main is the primary piping system connecting your home to the main source of water. When it breaks it can cause severe flooding which has the potential to disrupt your entire plumbing network as well as create more problems that are labor intensive and expensive to fix.
5. Foul odors from faucets
Smelling foul odors at drain sites and under sinks or other piping locations can mean that there are clogs and blockages that need to be addressed. Sometimes debris can collect in the pipes and continue to accumulate until it creates a full blown clog. Not only does this hamper the flow of water but the debris itself begins to rot causing foul odors and compromising the quality of tap water.
While the above list represents the worst and most urgent issues, you may still want to schedule a plumber, outside of emergency maintenance, to come out if you are experiencing any of the following:
1. Water that taste overly metallic
2. Lower than normal water pressure
3. An inability to control the water temperature
4. Consistent drippy leaks
5. Loud noises
Use the aforementioned guide to help you decide when you should consider an around the clock solution or a casual maintenance or repair call.