Plumbing emergencies come in all shapes and sizes, and they never happen at a convenient time. The best way to anticipate issues is to learn about common plumbing emergencies you may encounter. Here are a few we see every day and how to resolve them:

  1. Clogged or noisy toilets. Your toilet is the most used plumbing fixture at your home. So when it’s blocked, leaking, refusing to flush, or making strange noises, problems happen. Most people can unclog a toilet using a plunger; however, any of the other three issues may cause potentially more severe damage without professional assistance.
  2. Clogged sinks, bathtubs, and shower drains. A slow drain in any sink, tub, or shower is annoying. In most cases, you can use a plunger or plumbing snake to unclog these fixtures; however, if the water flow stops completely, it rises to the emergency level, and you should get professional help.
  3. Water heater defects. Your water heater may have issues if you see discolored water, smell something strange when your water is running, or don’t have hot water. When your water heater is faulty, you may have significant leaks or may need to replace it altogether. Always follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions for your water heater and ask a professional to check it annually.
  4. Washing machine hose leaks. Your washing machine is a sturdy, durable appliance; however, if you see its hose is cracked or bulging, fix it immediately. You may run into other more severe problems (such as mold or rust issues) if you don’t.
  5. Broken water line. If you see soggy areas in your yard or experience poor water quality or low pressure, you may have a broken water line. Talk to a professional immediately for assistance. The sooner you fix this issue, the better.
  6. Burst pipes. When there is significant water pressure build-up in a weak pipe, it can burst — and most often, that leads to plumbing fixture issues (such as a faucet or toilet) in your home. Typically, you’ll hear a loud “popping” sound when a pipe bursts; however, homeowners often don’t hear it. A pipe burst in your home can cause significant damage so if you see signs of an issue, contact a professional as soon as you can.

We all expect our plumbing to work daily without problems. But when you experience a plumbing emergency, we’re ready to help. Contact us with any plumbing emergency you have, and we’ll be there as soon as possible to get your plumbing back on track.