Whether you’re a proud new Denver homeowner or you’ve been settled in your home for decades, it’s always important for a property owner to understand when they’ve got a serious plumbing emergency on their hands. When you’re prepared, you can act fast and save yourself stress and money in the long run. Some problems can be saved for another day, but others require immediate professional attention to prevent costly damage to your home and health. Here in Colorado, as temperatures rise and fall, our unique climate can have a serious effect on your property’s plumbing, especially for older homes. Here’s what you need to know about potential plumbing emergencies so that you can prevent them before they happen and know when to call a professional emergency plumber when they do.
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What Qualifies as a Plumbing Emergency?
Sometimes a plumbing problem is minor enough that it can be addressed tomorrow. A small trickle can be temporarily held off with plumbers’ tape or a bucket. But when your plumbing problem is seriously affecting you and your family’s ability to live or even survive in your home, it’s time to call a pro. Any situation that requires immediate attention from a skilled plumber to prevent extensive damage to your home would qualify as a plumbing emergency. Some common plumbing emergencies homeowners in the Denver and Aurora area may encounter include:
Burst or Ruptured Pipes
Colorado gets some pretty icy temperatures during the winter months. If you aren’t careful, it could spell disaster for your home’s plumbing. Due to extreme cold temperatures, burst pipes are one of the most common plumbing emergencies in the area. If you’ve got a pipe that is spraying water, call an emergency plumber ASAP to save your home from serious water damage.
If you can, be sure to shut off the water supply to prevent further damage. You will want to stop the flow as soon as possible by locating the shut-off valve. Unfortunately, there is no universal spot in every house where water supply valves are located, which can make things a little more complicated – so you will want to familiarize yourself with your house before an emergency occurs. Typically, the shut-off valve is located where the water line comes into the house, usually on an outside wall near the front of the home. Once you located the valve, just turn clockwise to turn off all water to the house.
Sewage Backups
When you notice bubbling toilets, backed up drains, or foul odors in your home, you may have a sewage backup problem on your hands. Sewage backups can present a serious risk to the health of those in your home and require immediate attention. It’s important to address sewage backups as soon as possible to prevent sewage from backing up into your home and causing extensive damage.
Faucet, Toilet, and Other Major Leaks
Water leaks have the potential to compromise the structural integrity of your home. They often go unnoticed until significant damage has already occurred. When a leak gets so bad that you must turn the water supply off to solve the issue, that’s a situation that calls for an emergency plumber. For toilets, this is easy; you can find the water valve behind the toilet and turn it clockwise to shut the water supply off until a professional arrives to help. Worse than a water leak, however, is a gas leak. A gas leak constitutes a serious health, fire, and safety risk. If you smell gas, immediately exit your home, and call an emergency plumber, as well as your gas company.
Clogged drains
From toilets that won’t flush or overflow to sinks that won’t drain, nothing is more frustrating than a clogged drain. Toilets are the most likely to give homeowners here in Denver and Aurora clogging woes. When you’ve got slow drainage, bubbling water, puddles of water, or worse, it’s time to call in a professional. Clogs impact your daily life, so trust a skilled emergency plumber to fix it.
Water heater problems
Water heater problems can cause significant damage to your home or business property and can lead to potentially dangerous situations. A lack of hot water can usually be traced back to an issue with your water heater. Leaks or malfunctions in the water heater can also cause water damage and should be addressed immediately. Signs of a leaky water heater include a dripping tank, foul odors, and strange noises. If you notice any of these symptoms or see water pooling around the tank, it’s important to call for emergency repairs right away to prevent further damage and avoid costly repairs down the line.
When Should I Call an Emergency Plumber?
When you encounter any of the problems listed above, get a professional on the line as quickly as possible. An emergency plumber like the team at Done Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, & Electric can help solve the problem immediately, saving you time, stress, and money. In addition, if you notice any of the following plumbing problems in your home, you may not yet have an emergency on your hands, but prompt attention from a plumber could prevent one in the future.
Leaking faucets or toilets
While these may not be emergencies, they can waste a significant amount of water and increase your utility bills.
Low water pressure
This could indicate a larger plumbing problem and may require professional attention.
Strange noises or smells
If you hear strange noises or notice foul smells coming from your plumbing system, it could indicate a larger problem that requires professional attention.
Slow draining sinks or showers
If your sinks or showers are draining slowly, it could indicate a clog in your plumbing system that needs to be addressed before it causes a larger problem.
In general, if you’re not sure if you have a plumbing emergency, it’s better to err on the side of caution and call an emergency plumber. They can assess the situation and determine if it requires immediate attention or if it can wait until normal business hours.
Here in Denver, it’s important for responsible homeowners to have a reliable emergency plumber on speed dial. Thanks to frigid temperatures and extreme weather conditions, many plumbing systems – especially in older homes – are prone to serious plumbing emergencies. When you’re in need of a plumbing expert, look no further than Done Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, & Electric. We have licensed and insured specialists who are highly trained to handle any home or commercial plumbing emergency. We understand that even minor plumbing issues can lead to costly damage and major disruptions, so it’s important to leave it to the professionals.
With years of experience and access to the best resources, we guarantee safe, effective, and sustainable results. For the best emergency plumbing services in Denver, Aurora and beyond, call us today!
