Most common plumbing emergencies

Understanding Plumbing Emergencies

Plumbing emergencies, from minor leaks to disastrous floods, can cause significant property damage if not promptly addressed. Some of the most common plumbing emergencies include burst pipes, gas leaks, blocked drains, sewer backups, and issues with hot water systems or taps.

Unaddressed minor plumbing problems can quickly escalate to serious concerns like mould growth, waterborne illnesses, and structural damage. Acting swiftly on emergency plumbing situations is crucial, as issues neglected for a long time can worsen.

As a leading plumbing company serving Wetherill Park and surrounding suburbs in Sydney for over 10 years, Your local Wetherill Park Plumbing has extensive experience handling all types of plumbing emergencies. Our qualified plumbers are available 24/7 to expertly resolve any plumbing issue, thereby mitigating further damage.

In a plumbing emergency, remain composed and follow these essential steps: identify and turn off the water supply to minimise flooding, call an emergency plumber via our emergency hotline on 1300 349 338 for assistance, and where possible contain or capture leaking water safely until we arrive.

Following this, we’ll thoroughly assess your plumbing to pinpoint faults and execute the necessary repairs.

It’s best to preemptively tackle problems like water leaks before they escalate into emergencies, We offer affordable preventative maintenance plans including leak detection, pipe inspections, clearing stubborn drain clogs, water pressure checks and more. Proactive investment in preventative maintenance, such as regular pipe inspections and leak detection, is advisable over reliance on emergency services.

Most Common Household Plumbing Emergencies

• Blocked drains - Sinks, toilets, tubs, and basement floor drains can become clogged with food scraps, hair, and other debris over time. Tree roots infiltrating exterior drain lines are often the primary culprit behind these clogs.
• Burst water pipes - Freezing temperatures, high water pressure, corrosion, improper installation, ground shifts, and physical impacts can result in burst water pipes and leaking, sometimes catastrophically.
• Gas leaks - Cracked fittings, broken gas lines, faulty appliances, and corrosion are often behind gas leaks that require immediate attention. A sulphuric or rotten egg smell is a telltale sign of a gas leak, necessitating an urgent response.
• Leaking taps - Leaks from worn washers, faulty valves, mineral buildup, or loose fittings can annoy and waste water, thus hiking up your bill.
• No hot water - Issues with hot water heater elements, thermostats, pressure relief valves and sediment buildup can all cause outages.
• Running toilets - Flappers, fill valves, refill tubes, and overflow tubes wear out over time and may require sump pumps or replacements when toilets run constantly between flushes.

Given the high frequency of toilet use, clogged toilets can rapidly turn into pressing issues. Regular maintenance checks can help you understand common types of plumbing concerns and offer a strategy grounded in the concept that prevention is better than cure.

Blocked Drains

Blocked drains can become one of the most disruptive plumbing emergencies. Food scraps, hair, grease, tree roots, and foreign objects like toys commonly cause clogs in household drain lines over time. Considering a bathroom generates almost 7,600 litres of wastewater per person annually, it’s crucial to seek professional help before severe blockages occur.

Gurgling noises, slow drainage, foul odours, and water pooling are symptoms that can suggest an impending blockage. As soon as detected, cease using affected plumbing fixtures and manually remove any easily accessed clogs.

DIY drain repairs down the line with harsh chemicals or improper tools can do more harm than good, risking injury and extensive pipe corrosion. Only qualified providers of plumbing services have the capability to fully clear blockages, inspect drain lines with cameras, and replace damaged sections. We use industry-leading equipment and methods to clear even the most stubborn clogs quickly and safely.

Using hair catchers and monthly enzymatic drain cleaners helps maintain your plumbing system and prevents future blockages.

Burst Pipes

Burst pipes can result from freezing temperatures, high water pressure, ground movement, corrosion, or physical impacts. Burst pipes can cause high-pressure water to escape quickly, posing a threat of property damage and severe flooding if not urgently addressed.

Identifying a burst pipe is often evident due to signs like low water pressure, damp areas, or the sound of water rushing. Immediately turn off the water supply by shutting off main water valves to contain the leak and prevent it from worsening as much as possible before our arrival.

Temporary duct tape repairs are not only ineffective but could also exacerbate your plumbing problems and lead to additional damage. Only qualified plumbers have the expertise to fully shut off complex pipe systems, locate burst areas through pressure testing, and carry out temporary repairs followed by full pipe replacements.

Repiping projects to replace broken water line sections can seem costly upfront but pale in comparison to enduring repetitive leaks or the expense of extensive water damage remediation down the line. Investing in proactive leak detection and early repairs or replacements for your water pipes is the more prudent, long-term cost-effective approach.

Gas Leaks

Gas leaks are highly dangerous, presenting serious health risks and requiring immediate action.

Detecting the rotten egg smell of a gas leak means you should turn water taps off, evacuate immediately, and call professional emergency services. Do not turn any electronics or lights on or off, as a spark could ignite leaking gas. Ventilate the area by opening doors and windows.

When you’re dealing with gas appliances, Our emergency plumbers use specialised equipment to accurately locate gas leaks and perform urgent repairs. We will thoroughly test all connections on your gas lines and appliances to identify fault areas. Damaged sections of gas pipe will need to be replaced.

Stopping leaks quickly avoids the potentially devastating impacts of gas disasters. We provide gas line inspections to prevent issues by checking for corrosion and secure fittings before they become problematic. Annual inspections help maximise the safety of your gas supply.

Leaking Taps

Leaking taps are one of the most common plumbing issues faced by homeowners. With the average faucet turning on over 2000 times per year, worn washers, valve seats and pipe fittings quickly lead to annoying drips that waste water and money over time.

Prompt repair of leaky faucets helps avert further pipe corrosion. Listen for dripping noises after shutting off taps and inspect beneath sinks for signs of water damage to quickly identify problems. Place containers under leaking taps to catch water until repaired.

You should never rely on DIY fixes with tape or visible hardware since they can be ineffective if sub-surface issues like worn interior parts or pipe joint problems remain unseen within walls. our licenced plumbers can quickly diagnose your tap’s leak points and carry out repairs for lasting results.

Beyond fixing immediate leaks, we also offer preventative tap maintenance. Annual servicing to lubricate fixtures, replace worn washers and valve seats, and update ageing pipe connectors throughout your home improves longevity greatly.

Lack of Hot Water Supply

The absence of hot water disrupts essential daily activities like bathing, dishwashing, and laundry. Key reasons for hot water supply interruptions include:

• Faulty heating elements
• Broken thermostats or pressure relief valves
• Sediment buildup inside the tank
• Leaking or burst pipes leading to the hot water system
• Electrical problems with circuits connecting water heaters

A lack of hot water significantly disrupts daily routines, warranting immediate attention. As soon as you notice hot water taps running cold, try rebooting the hot water system by turning power off/on. If rebooting fails, a plumber can shut off the water supply to your water heater and assess the situation promptly.

Attempting DIY fixes risks electric shocks or water damage if not correctly handled. Our expert plumbers can accurately diagnose hot water system faults and carry out repairs or full replacements where needed.

We recommend homeowners have hot water systems inspected every 2 years as preventative maintenance. Identifying and replacing worn parts like water heater valves prolongs the system’s life and avoids inconvenient, unexpected outages.

Signs of Different Plumbing Emergencies

Catching plumbing emergencies early is crucial to minimise disruption, property damage and costly repairs. Here are some common signs indicating developing issues for quick identification:

• Blocked drains - Clogged drains are often indicated by slow draining water, gurgling noises, bad odours, and water pooling around drains
• Burst pipes - Low water pressure, visible leakage, water spots on walls/ceilings, flooding
• Gas leaks - Rotten egg smell, hissing noises
• Leaking taps - Dripping sounds after taps turned off, visible water trickling
• No hot water - Hot water taps only supply cold
• Running toilets - Constantly flowing water between flushes

Staying vigilant for these warning signs enables a prompt response, such as turning off the water supply, to prevent plumbing issues from escalating into disasters. When you detect red flags that indicate a plumbing emergency, call a plumber immediately at Wetherill Park Plumbing.

Short-Term Fixes for Common Issues

While awaiting a professional plumber during your emergency plumbing situation, there are some basic steps homeowners can take to minimise damage:

• Blocked drains - Cease using affected drains, place buckets under fixtures to catch water, use a plunger gently to try dislodging clogs manually, remove any accessible debris by hand with gloves
• Burst pipes - Turn off main water supply valves, place containers under burst areas to capture leaking water, drain pipes by turning on taps
• Gas leaks - Evacuate the property immediately, open doors/windows to ventilate, avoid turning any lights/electronics on/off
• Leaking taps - Turn off hot/cold taps tightly, place buckets under drips to catch water
• No hot water - Shut off water lines to hot water system, switch off power supply to unit
• Running toilets - Try lifting the toilet lid and pressing down on the flapper to stop water flow

Such temporary measures do not replace the need for qualified plumbers to permanently fix your plumbing system and prevent future complications.

When Professional Help is Needed

While addressing minor issues on your own is understandable, certain situations definitively require professional emergency plumbers.

If you experience any of the following, call Wetherill Park Plumbing immediately on 1300 349 338, 24/7:

• Gas leaks - Never take risks with potentially deadly gas leak emergencies. Evacuate and call us urgently.
• Burst pipes flooding - Turn off main water supply and our team can manage all your plumbing needs, though capturing high volumes of water requires a pro.
• Sewer system backup - Trying to clear main sewer clogs yourself can risk further backup and flooding.
• No hot water - Fault diagnosis and repairs to electrical systems poses safety risks.
• Backed up main drain lines often require industrial equipment to clear extensive clogs from exterior drainage pipelines.

We prioritise and address critical issues impacting health and property safety right away.

Our regular operating hours for non-emergencies are Monday to Friday from 8 am to 6 pm, and Saturdays from 9 am to 4 pm. Until normal hours of operation resume, non-critical issues may need to wait until the next business day.

Preventing Plumbing Emergencies

There are several practical steps homeowners can take to help prevent plumbing emergencies:

• Conduct visual inspections - Regularly check your pipes, fittings, toilets, and drains for any signs of leaks, damage or wear.
• To protect your house, installing safety devices like pressure reducing valves is essential to prevent water supply lines from bursting due to excessive pressure. Backflow prevention valves stop contaminated water backing up.
• Clear drain clogs - Use drain strainers and monthly enzyme cleaner treatment to keep drains free-flowing.
• Upgrade old plumbing - Replace corroded galvanised, brass, iron or lead pipes with longer-lasting copper or PEX piping.
• Insulate pipes - Protect pipes vulnerable to freezing temperatures by wrapping them in insulative foam covers.
• Service appliances - Have dishwashers, washing machines, hot water systems routinely serviced to prevent breakdowns.

We strongly recommend annual professional inspections to preempt emergencies and maintain your plumbing system in top shape. Our plumbers check your entire system for risks like leaks or root intrusions. We can then rectify minor issues before they escalate into emergencies.

Flood sensors and automatic water shut-off valves add an extra layer of security by instantaneously halting water flow in case of a leak. Contact Wetherill Park Plumbing to discuss preventative plumbing options tailored for your home.