Do You Have A Plumbing Emergency? Hire A Licensed Plumber | Sugar Land, TX
A plumbing emergency usually involves a leak or a major drain clog. No homeowner wants to ever encounter a plumbing emergency because of the costs associated with it. In this article, we’ll talk about what to do during a plumbing emergency, why you need to speak with a licensed plumber in Sugar Land, TX, and how you can avoid a major plumbing emergency.
What to Do in a Plumbing Emergency
When there’s a plumbing emergency, the first thing to do is not call a plumber in Sugar Land, TX, but first turn off your water to prevent further damage to your plumbing. This is why we tell homeowners to install several shut-off valves to make it easier to turn off the water just in case there’s a risk of flooding. If possible, install the shut-off valves near the water heater, dishwasher, pipes and other plumbing fixtures. Better yet, call a plumber to install leak detection devices so that you’re alerted when there’s a possible leak in your plumbing.
If the shut-off valve is in the basement only, it’ll be difficult to turn it off, especially when there’s flooding. You can’t just go into the water or you might get electrocuted. When a homeowner can’t turn off the water, it’s better to contact an emergency plumber right away. In some cases, you may also need to get in touch with restoration companies to ensure no mold growth in the basement. Otherwise, you’ll have an even bigger problem.
After turning off your water, the next step is to call a licensed plumber. Try not to fix a leaky pipe by yourself or hire an unlicensed plumber. A professional will know what to do during a plumbing emergency as he’s trained for it. He may also need to take pictures of the damage in case you’re planning to file a claim. Don’t worry, our plumbing experts at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of West Houston are always ready to help. Contact us at the soonest possible time so that we can dispatch a professional to your location right away.
Most Common Plumbing Emergencies and How to Avoid Them
Below are some of the common plumbing emergencies homeowners encounter. Get in touch with a licensed plumber right away.
Burst Pipes
This occurs when a homeowner fails to insulate exposed pipes. When the temperature keeps dropping and the pipes are exposed, the water inside the pipes can freeze, causing them to expand and burst. You need to contact a plumber right away to thaw the pipes or they will break and you’ll have a flooded home.
You can prevent burst pipes by getting an insulating blanket at a hardware store and covering the exposed pipes. Slightly opening the faucet so that warm water can flow through the pipes can also prevent them from freezing. If you have the heating on and the pipes are installed inside your sink cabinets, why not open them so that warm air can circulate in that area as well?
Pipes can also burst when there’s a major clog or when they’re too rusty. You can resolve a clog with professional drain cleaning. For older pipes, we recommend you replace them with modern piping such as PVC or copper pipes.
Broken Water Heater
If you have a water heater, it’s necessary to flush the sediment that will build up in the tank. You will need to do this at least once a year or more than once if there are high concentrations of hard water in your plumbing. When a homeowner fails to remove the buildup, the sediment can accumulate in the tank and you will have no more space for your hot water. You will start to have problems such as not having enough hot water or not having hot water at all. This is likely due to the mineral buildup in the tank. If they aren’t removed, they can also cause the tank to leak. And when this happens, you will have no choice but to completely replace your hot water tank.
For homeowners concerned about leaks from the water heater tank, they may consider switching to tankless water heaters. The latter lasts longer and you also don’t need to turn it on regularly which means you get to conserve energy and save money. Talk to one of our plumbing experts if you’re thinking of switching to a tankless water heater.
Flooded Basement
This is also a major plumbing emergency that can be prevented. If you live in high-risk areas or places that get a lot of storms, we suggest you consider installing a sump pump in the basement. A sump pump is a safety device that prevents flooding and safeguard appliances stored in the basement. It’s a necessary tool to save your home from water damage. However, make sure you also get backup batteries so that the pump will still work even when there’s a power interruption. Also, don’t forget to test the sump pump by pouring about a bucket of water into the sump pit. The water should just be enough to turn on the float switch. Watch if the pump can drain the water from the sump pit. If it doesn’t, call a professional right away.
Contact bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of West Houston
Do you need a plumber in Sugar Land, TX? We’re just here to help. When it comes to plumbing repairs, installations or maintenance, trust that bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of West Houston can do it all. Our plumbing experts are all licensed and experienced to tackle any plumbing issue. There’s no plumbing problem we can’t resolve. Call us if you have a plumbing emergency or if you need help maintaining your sump pump. We’re available at your earliest convenience. If you have an emergency, trust that we’ll be there ASAP to fix the problem.
Call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of West Houston today for an appointment.