7 COMMON PLUMBING EMERGENCIES (AND HOW TO FIX THEM)
Has your week ground to a screeching halt due to a leaky faucet or clogged toilet? These common plumbing emergencies may be frustrating, but they’re far from impossible to fix.
In fact, you can reverse many of them with basic household tools and a little patience. If you’re faced with a deeper issue, you can also call one of our plumbers. Conway Services is a local heating, cooling, and plumbing service that’s been helping homeowners with plumbing problems since 1990.
Need a fast fix? Call our team, and one of our experienced plumbers will visit as soon as possible.
7 COMMON PLUMBING EMERGENCIES: WHAT TO DO
Should you use a DIY solution or reach out to a plumber? Let’s break down these plumbing issues by their appearance and ideal solutions.
1. EMERGENCY #1: CLOGGED TOILET
A dreaded circumstance for many homeowners is trying to flush the toilet, then seeing water come back up. In addition to clogs from debris, clogged toilets can be caused by weather, poor construction, or old age.
What It Looks Like
Clogged toilets don’t flush, no matter how many times you hit the lever. Even worse, they can back up enough to start spilling out of the bowl.
The Fix
Fortunately, clogged toilets are one of the simpler plumbing emergencies on this list. You can try one of these solutions:
If you have a plunger, a few plunges should be enough to dislodge the clog. Short, quick plunges work better than more exaggerated movements (which might also splash dirty water everywhere).
Over-the-counter enzyme cleaners can sometimes dissolve a mild clog. Follow the instructions on the back of the bottle after pouring.
Reach out to a plumber for help. Professionals bring helpful tools that can dislodge mild to stubborn clogs, like drain snakes or toilet augers.
2. EMERGENCY #2: CLOGGED SINK
Have you noticed your sink isn’t draining quite like it used to? A clogged sink can be caused by food bits, hair, grease, or soap scum build-up.
What It Looks Like
If the water is draining slowly or not at all, you likely have a clog that needs attention. Even slightly slower draining is worth a second look.
The Fix
Clogged sinks are another easy problem to fix since you just need to dislodge the clog. Try the following:
Slide a drain snake into the pipe and twist it to grab the clog. You should be able to pull out whatever’s causing the water to drain slowly.
Pour an enzyme-based cleaner down the drain to break down the clog. You’ll usually have to wait 8 to 12 hours before flushing the drain with some hot water. Don’t use boiling water, as this can damage or weaken piping.
For stubborn clogs, reach out to a plumber. They have the tools and knowledge to break up clogs without damaging the plumbing.
3. EMERGENCY #3: LEAKING TOILET
One of the most common plumbing emergencies is a toilet that starts to dribble water where it’s not supposed to. When you flush your toilet and see a leak, it’s time to weigh your options.
What It Looks Like
Leaking toilets might start spilling water at the base, around the bowl, or near the tank. The water might be clear or cloudy, depending on the source of the leak.
The Fix
Leaking toilets are expensive and can quickly crank up your water bill. However, the fix for a leaking toilet depends on the severity and location of the leak. Let’s see what you can do:
Try the food dye trick for water leak detection. Buy some regular food dye at the store, then put a few drops in your toilet tank. If the water changes color, you either have a flapper issue or a damaged overflow tube.
If your flapper is loose, try to tighten the tee bolts either by hand or with a wrench.
If your overflow is damaged, you’ll need a professional to remove the tank and replace it.
4. EMERGENCY #4: CLOGGED SEWER LINE
A clogged sewer line isn’t just smelly: It can be a health hazard if not fixed. Learning how to detect a clogged sewer is a must-have skill to spot these issues as soon as possible.
What It Looks Like
Common signs of a clogged sewer line include backed-up drains, strange odors coming from your pipes, or standing sewage in or around your basement. Toilet clogs or backups are especially common symptoms of clogged sewer lines.
The Fix
You need a professional plumber to inspect your sewer line, spot the clog, and clear it out. They can also inspect for additional issues like old piping or obstructive tree roots.
To keep your sewer line from clogging in the future, carefully assess what you put down your drains. Never put grease, paper towels, or baby wipes down a sink or toilet. Even too much toilet paper can cause problems.
5. EMERGENCY #5: BURST PIPES
Common plumbing emergencies sometimes include shocking problems like burst pipes. Not only do they tend to be loud, but they also make a huge mess that can potentially cause flooding, electrical problems, or a mold issue.
What It Looks Like
Burst pipe signs include water pressure, strange sounds coming from the pipes, and standing water in an odd place. While all pipes can burst, copper is the most likely material to struggle with this issue.
If you suspect a burst pipe, but don’t see the following signs, a professional can use drain cameras to diagnose the issue.
The Fix
You’ll need professional help for this plumbing emergency. Burst pipes can be hazardous and need a plumber to replace the damaged pipe to restore safe conditions.
6. EMERGENCY #6: NO HOT WATER
No hot water can make simple tasks like washing your hands or doing your dishes a pain. Fortunately, these common plumbing problems usually have a quick professional fix.
What It Looks Like
Sometimes your hot water takes a few seconds to deliver hot water to your tap, especially if it’s older. If you wait for several minutes and still have no hot water, you have a problem on your hands.
The Fix
No hot water usually points to a faulty water heater, an electrical problem, or a utility problem (such as downtime for repairs). Give your utility company a call to make sure the problem isn’t on their end.
If your utility company confirms no issues, contact a plumber to take a look at the heater and fix it fast. You can schedule an appointment with Conway Service’s simple online form.
7. EMERGENCY #7: FROZEN PIPES
Mississippi winters can be short and mild one year, then chilly and icy another year. As such, you may come across a frozen pipe at some point and need professional help.
What It Looks Like
A frozen pipe can appear almost out of nowhere, leading to leaks inside your house or out in your yard. If the pipe is visible, it may be frozen if you notice bulging or strange sounds (like banging, clanking, or whistling).
The Fix
Call a professional as soon as possible to fix a frozen pipe. They can swap out the damaged piping with new materials, then help you reduce the risk of it happening again by offering basic maintenance.
Do any of these problems sound familiar? Schedule an appointment with Conway Services online and get a solution fast!
3 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR BATHROOM EMERGENCY FREE
We’ve all been there: A leaky faucet, broken pipe, or clogged toilet in our bathroom springs up at the worst time, and we have to call for help. Here, we have everyday tips you can use to prevent and treat common plumbing emergencies before calling a plumbing service.
1. ALWAYS CHECK FOR LEAKS
Leaks can happen as a result of broken pipes, faulty construction, or changing weather. Oftentimes, a leak is an issue you can fix on your own (such as tightening the connections between pipes).
Other times, a 24/7 emergency plumbing service. might be needed. To catch your leaks before they do extra damage to your floors, walls, and ceilings, it is important to frequently check common leak areas:
Back and edges around the base of the toilet
Pipes underneath your sink
Edges around the base of your bathtub
Ceiling below the bathroom (look for any depressions or signs of water)
2. CLEAN YOUR DRAINS PROPERLY
To keep the drains in your bathroom clog-free, lift up the stoppers on your sink and bathtub about once a week, clean them off, and remove any debris that may have collected around the drain.
About once a month, remove the overflow plate from your bathtub and raise the pop-up assembly to reach the spring or rocker arm. Debris inevitably collects in this region over time, so it’s important to check and clean it regularly to avoid major backups.
One final drain-cleaning step is using a bacteriological drain cleaner once a month to remove gunk and another build-up our hands can’t reach. Try a non-corrosive, 100% biodegradable drain cleaner to stay safe from harsh chemicals and protect your plumbing system from unintentional damage.
3. UNCLOG YOUR TOILET THE RIGHT WAY
Knowing how to unclog a toilet with a simple plunger is a life skill that will save you time, headaches, and money down the road. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide:
Stay clean by wearing rubber gloves and placing newspaper around your toilet. Lift both seats and submerge the rubber end of the plunger in the toilet.
Make sure there is enough water in the toilet bowl to completely cover the plunger’s rubber head. You can do this by gently lifting the flapper chain inside the tank or flushing the toilet again.
Let the air out of the plunger by tilting it towards the surface of the water. If you see bubbles, you’re doing it right.
Cover the drain opening with the plunger to create a tight seal, then push the plunger down gently. Pull it quickly back up while maintaining the seal.
Repeat this push and pull process until the obstruction is cleared and the toilet begins to drain.
When In Doubt, Call a Conway Plumber
If you encounter common plumbing emergencies you’re unsure about, it’s always best to contact an emergency plumbing service. Trained plumbing professionals will fix your problem fast, then give you helpful maintenance advice.
It’s better to be safe than sorry when dealing with plumbing. Call us today to talk with a plumber and fix your toilet, sink, faucet, or pipes.