Signs You Need to Call a Professional Plumber Immediately
Are you wondering how to tell if you need a professional plumber?
While some plumbing issues are small and can be solved by the homeowner, others can be an expensive nightmare if you don’t call a professional in right away. The difference between an easy fix and thousands of dollars in water damage is a matter of time.
Problem:
Unfortunately, most homeowners wait too long to call a plumber. They often think they can handle the job themselves or that the issue isn’t urgent enough to bother calling a professional. However, 10% of homes have leaks wasting 90 or more gallons of water per day.
This wasted water is not only bad for the environment, it’s bad for your wallet, too.
What you’ll discover:
- 11 Signs of an Emergency Plumbing Situation
- When To Avoid DIY Plumbing Repair
- Emergency Plumbing Costs
- How To Find 24/7 Plumbing Services Near You
Water Damage
Here’s something that will shock you…
Water damage isn’t always obvious or noticeable. You may not see water behind walls or underneath floors, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. Hidden leaks and water damage can cost homeowners thousands of dollars.
Leaks that only drip once per second waste over 3,000 gallons of water per year. That’s enough water for 180 showers!
Hidden water leaks cause structural damage, mold growth, high utility bills, and property value loss. Most homeowners don’t even realize they have a leaky pipe until its too late.
Burst Pipes
Nothing ruins a good day like a burst pipe.
If you have pipes bursting in your home, there is only one solution: professional plumbing services. This isn’t a weekend project for DIYers. Water comes out of burst pipes at 8-10 gallons per minute.
That means that in ten minutes, you’ll have 100 gallons of water pouring into your home.
Warning signs that your pipes may be about to burst include:
- Strange noises coming from your faucets
- Drop in water pressure
- Discolored water from your taps
- Visible bulging or cracks in exposed pipes
- Unusually high water bills
If you see any of these signs, contact Koala Plumbing or your local professional plumber immediately. Emergency repairs are the best investment compared to water flood damage restoration.
Gas Leaks
This one’s serious.
Gas leaks from plumbing are extremely dangerous, and should never be taken lightly. If you smell gas anywhere near your plumbing, stop what you’re doing, and call a professional plumber immediately.
Gas leaks can be deadly. Do not try to fix the leak yourself. One small mistake can cause an explosion, or carbon monoxide poisoning.
Warning signs of a gas leak include:
- Rotten egg smell near pipes
- Hissing sounds coming from gas lines
- Dead plants near exterior gas lines
- Feeling dizzy while indoors
If you suspect you have a gas leak, leave the building immediately and call emergency services, then your local plumber. Gas leaks are no time to play it safe!
Sewage Backups
Nobody enjoys dealing with sewage backups.
When they occur, they must be handled immediately by professional plumbers. Raw sewage has dangerous bacteria which can make you and your family very sick.
Call a professional plumber if you notice sewage coming up from drains, multiple drains backing up simultaneously, gurgling toilet sounds, or sewage odors.
Raw sewage is actually hazardous to your health. Professional plumbers have the training and equipment to handle sewage safely.
No Hot Water
Running out of hot water isn’t always just an inconvenience.
If your water heater completely stops working, this can be a sign of gas leaks, electrical problems, or even a complete internal tank failure which could result in a flood. In this case, the best solution is to call a plumber.
Warning signs that your water heater may need to be replaced or repaired by a professional plumber include:
- Complete lack of hot water
- Strange popping sounds
- Pooling water around water heater
- Rust-colored hot water
Water heaters are high-pressure systems that contain either dangerous gases, or extremely high-voltage electricity. Do not attempt to DIY any repairs to these appliances unless you have professional training.
Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes are ticking time bombs.
When water inside pipes freezes, the water expands, which creates pressure that can burst the pipe. When the ice melts, you’ll have a burst pipe and flood to clean up.
Warning signs of frozen pipes include:
- Lack of water flowing from faucets
- Strange smells coming from drains
- Frost or ice on exposed pipes
- Unusually cold areas or objects indoors
Call a professional plumber at the first sign of frozen pipes. Professional plumbers have specialized equipment that can thaw your pipes safely before they burst.
Major Clogs That Won’t Budge
While most clogs are annoying but manageable, some clogs point to much bigger plumbing issues. If multiple drains start backing up at the same time, or you experience a clog affecting your home’s main sewer line, you need a professional plumber.
Signs that you may have a serious plumbing clog include:
- Water backing up in multiple fixtures at the same time
- Sewage odors coming from drains
- Popping, gurgling, or bubbling sounds coming from toilets or drains
- Toilet water levels rapidly rising or falling
Professional plumbers have powerful equipment, such as hydro-jetters, which can clear serious clogs quickly and safely.
How Much Do Emergency Plumbers Cost?
Let’s talk money.
Emergency plumbers cost more money. Emergency plumbing services cost about 1.5x to 3x more than standard plumbing work.
The reason is simple. If you wait until Monday morning, most plumbers will charge emergency rates to come out on a weekend.
Water damage from a burst pipe can cost you tens of thousands of dollars to fix. The average plumber charges $200 per hour, but hourly rates can range from $100 to $500 depending on your area.
DIY Plumbing Repair Can Make Things Worse
Here’s something most DIY plumbing sites don’t want you to know…
DIY plumbing repairs can make a small issue a major disaster in a matter of seconds. Plumbers make mistakes, and if you are untrained and unfamiliar with your home’s plumbing system, this can spell disaster.
Don’t ever DIY plumbing repairs or replacements on gas lines, main water lines, sewer lines, internal water heater components, or anything involving electrical connections.
Professional plumbers have years of professional training and experience. They are also fully licensed and insured which gives you peace of mind.
How to Find Plumbing Services in An Emergency
If you’re searching for a plumber during a plumbing emergency, you don’t have time to research all the plumbers in your area.
Look for licensed and insured plumbers who advertise 24/7 availability, have a strong reputation, and offer upfront pricing.
Keep the contact info for a plumber that you trust handy before an emergency occurs. The last thing you want to do when you have pipes bursting is to start researching plumbers online.
Prevention is Plumbing’s Best Friend
Here’s the best part about plumbing emergencies…
Most of them are preventable if you do regular maintenance and act fast when you notice warning signs.
Inspect your plumbing monthly, know where your main water shut off valve is, schedule yearly professional inspections, and take care of small problems before they get out of control. The average household has leaks wasting almost 1 trillion gallons of water per year nationwide. That’s how much water 11 million homes use every year!
Time to Take Action
Emergency plumbing issues can happen at any time. It’s often just bad luck, and they will happen whether you want them to or not. Plumbing emergencies occur 2 AM on Saturday nights, and right before family holidays and events.
Here’s the bottom line:
When you’re dealing with burst pipes, gas leaks, sewage backups, and major water damage, it’s time to call a professional. The cost of an emergency service call is nothing compared to major property damage.
Don’t wait until a small problem becomes a major disaster. Make sure you have the contact information for professional plumbing services saved, and don’t hesitate to call when you need help.
