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Having to deal with plumbing-related problems can be a daunting experience for most homeowners. More so for people who don’t have a clue on how to manage the situation, at least until an emergency plumber arrives on the scene.
Most people don’t realize that significant amounts of water are wasted each day due to plumbing issues. Not to mention the thousands of dollars spent on repairs for water damages because of leaks. Given these circumstances, it is clear that people can benefit much from learning how to manage such emergencies.
What to do in a plumbing emergency?
You can expect Sydney Emergency Plumbing services to come to your aid as quickly as possible. That said, there are plenty of things that you can do to manage the situation at home. For one thing, the first action when dealing with leaky pipelines is to close off the water supply.
Find the primary water valve and set it to the “off” position. Doing so will help prevent the problem from getting worse and avoid wastage.
It is likewise essential to learn about how to prevent plumbing issues in the first place. In this regard, we recommend the following:
- Ensure that your water pipes are insulated, especially those regularly exposed to low temperatures. An exposed water pipe is prone to freezing and breakage.
- Never use an open flame to unclog frozen pipes. Doing so can cause the lines to burst due to thermal expansion. Use a blow dryer instead.
- Toilet leaks can often go undetected for weeks (if not months). This can significantly drive up water expenses without you noticing. Hence it makes sense to inspect toilets for leakage regularly. To do so, put a couple of drops of food coloring in the water tank then check back in a few hours. If the dye reaches the bowl, then that means the toilet is leaking.
- One part of your home’s plumbing system that is exceptionally prone to blockage is the water heater. This is due to the build-up of sediment that can clog and break your pipes over time. Hence it’s a good idea to check and clean it regularly (at least once every 2 to 3 months).
What Not to Do?
- Ignore leaky pipes and faucets. The problem will only worsen over time, leading to significant expenses due to repairs and water leakage.
- Try to fix a clogged toilet by flushing boiling water unto it. Doing so can cause the bowl and water lines to crack and burst open.
- Flush sanitary products like diapers and napkins down a toilet. This can clog the water lines and trigger a plumbing emergency.
- Empty cooking oil and grease water to the kitchen drain. These substances can solidify in the pipes, causing a severe blockage.
Conclusion
Indeed emergency plumbing issues can be a handful, but it helps to know what to do (and not to do) to manage or prevent the situation. For as long as you keep the factors mentioned above in mind, you can drastically reduce the chances of a plumbing emergency getting out of hand.
