With uninterrupted supply of hot and cold water and efficient drainage systems allowing us to get on with our chores with ease, it’s not uncommon for us to take the marvel of modern plumbing for granted. We only recognize their convenience when plumbing issues arise out of nowhere and interrupt everyday activities.
Whether it’s a leaky faucet or clogged sink drains, plumbing emergencies usually strike when you least expect them. Things get worse when we try to DIY the solution that doesn’t really work, leading to bigger problems.
The key to preventing the most common plumbing problems is to be educated on what kinds of emergencies you may face with your plumbing system. This allows you to react as soon as you recognize any common plumbing emergency so that your home remains protected from damage.
To help you understand the importance of these plumbing issues, we have composed a list of the ten most common plumbing emergencies that require quick action.
10 Most Common Plumbing Emergencies
Here’s a list of the then most common plumbing issues:
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Clogged Toilets
A clogged toilet is among the most common plumbing issues you can face. Drains in toilets clog all the time. While some of these clogs are minor and can be fixed with a plunger, others are hard to clear out and may even cause sewer blockage.
Various things cause clogs in the toilet, such as flushing something bigger than your toilet can handle or non-flushable items, such as sanitary napkins, toilet paper, wipes, etc. The most common signs of a clogged toilet include an overflowing tank, high water level in the bowl, and broken flushing mechanism. You can deal with the minor clogs; however, you will need a plumber to handle major, stubborn clogs.
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Frozen Pipes
If you live in cold climate conditions, you may face problems with frozen pipes in winter. As the cold weather strikes, these pipes can cause cracks in the material. As a result, they can cause excessive damages and leaks.
Though you cannot control the climate, you can prevent this common plumbing problem with a bit of preparation. For example, you can insulate the pipes using insulating tape before winter arrives. This tactic will prevent cold air from reaching the pipes; therefore, the pipes are not vulnerable to any burst or leakage.
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Faucet Leaks
There’s nothing more annoying than a leaky faucet. Faucet leaks are among the most common plumbing issues many homeowners face. This problem occurs more at homes that have older fixtures. That's because older faucets can loosen over time.
A faucet leakage might not seem like a major plumbing emergency for your home. However, even small leaks can prove costly in the future. Another common issue that comes with these leaky faucets is that they increase your water bill – which you'd definitely like to avoid.
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Sewer System Backup
A backed-up sewer system is a major plumbing emergency that requires immediate action. The blockage in lines can slow down drains, produce an unbearable smell, and cause a backup sewage line from the clean-A faucet leakage might not seem like a major plumbing emergency for your home. However, even small leaks can prove costly in the future. Another common issue that comes with these leaky faucets is that they increase your water bill – which you'd definitely like to avoid.out pipe, among other issues.
These sewer backups are extremely inconvenient and expensive to fix. Common signs of sewer system backup include blocked drains, basement flooding, gurgling toilets, and unpleasant odors from drains.
If your DIY trick does not resolve the clogging issue, you need a licensed professional plumber to intervene and fix the issue.
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Water Heater Issue
Many homeowners experience water heater failure at some point. Just like other home appliances, water heaters are prone to damage. As a result, you start getting the water that is either too hot or too cold.
It is difficult to identify the reason behind these issues. Water heater failures can occur for various reasons. If you are struggling with the water temperature and your DIY tactic isn't working, it's time you contact a professional plumber to fix your issue.
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Clogged Sinks
A minor clog can lead to a slow draining sink. However, a larger clog makes it impossible for your sink to drain the water. Clogged sinks are serious plumbing issues that need immediate fixing because they may prevent you from cooking, cleaning, doing the dishes, etc. Therefore, you should call a licensed plumber to inspect and fix your issue.
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Damaged Plumbing Fixtures
Plumbing fixtures do not last for a lifetime. They eventually get damaged to the point where they are unable to function anymore.
You need to replace fixtures like handles, faucets, and shower-heads regularly to have a smooth plumbing system. If you keep using older, damaged fixtures, chances are they become more prone to causing water leaks and water waste.
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Running Toilet
Have you ever noticed your toilet constantly running? If yes, you’re likely facing a common plumbing issue. Running toilets can cause no harm to your home. However, they can raise your water bills.
Worn-out flapper valves that let water flow from the tank into the toilet can cause running toilets. Sediment buildup might also lead to running toilets. This issue is more frequent in areas that have hard water.
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Broken Water Lines
Every household is connected to the water main, which supplies water from the primary source to your home. If the primary water supply source is not working, you’ll notice that the water is not coming to your home. The water pressure can also be lower.
Another common sign of this issue is that you may see wet, soggy patches on the ground. This sign implies that there might be a broken pipe in this location. A broken pipe can also raise your water utility bills due to water loss caused by leaks.
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Leaky Washing Machine
Washing machines hoses are also vulnerable to leaks. If you see a crack in the hose of your washing machine, you need to call a plumber immediately to get this issue resolved as soon as possible.
Fix Your Plumbing Issues!
While this covers the ten most common plumbing emergencies, you may experience others. Many of these will have easy fixes you may be able to do on your own, however, others require a professional’s expertise. You can prevent these issues by taking proper care of your home's plumbing system and calling a plumber at the right time.
If you want to fix your common plumbing issues, reach out to Mesa Plumbing Company!