Our lives are full of things that can go wrong—a car breaking down, the washing machine acting up, the list could go on. Making it a month without needing to fix something can sometimes feel like a small miracle.
As you might already know, home plumbing emergencies can be among the messiest and most costly of nearly any of the things in our lives that are prone to happening. Costs can arise not only from plumbing repair and replacement, but also from structural damage, necessary renovations and emergency service fees. One way to reduce these costs is to implement proper plumbing maintenance and routine inspections in order to catch an issue early on, before it gets out of control.
Another way to reduce these costs is to know which plumbing issues are emergencies and which are not. To help you avoid paying for emergency repairs for your plumbing in Modesto, CA, here is a brief guide to what constitutes an emergency plumbing situation.
- Flooding: This one is unambiguous—flooding is an emergency situation that requires immediate attention. There are numerous sources of flooding, some outside of your control. A flood in your basement may arise from a clogged drain, a backed up sewer system or even a broken pipe. In some cases shutting off your main water valve will help stop the inflowing water, but in other cases this will not help. Importantly, if the flooding stems from a sewer system, you need to completely avoid coming into contact with this water, as it is dangerous to your health. Instead, call for emergency plumbing in Modesto, CA right away.
- Pooling water: Large pools of water on your lawn can also be a potential plumbing emergency. In this case, a pipe may have broken in between your house and the city water system. Left untouched, there is no telling how long this water will continue filling your lawn. Especially if the water is standing near your house, this could cause damage to your home’s foundation or basement walls, and may even begin entering into your home. Do not ignore large amounts of standing water on your lawn—call right away
- Dispose of chemicals properly: You can also avoid disrupting or permanently damaging your septic system by disposing of hazardous household chemicals down any drains. Even small amounts of paints, varnishes, thinners, waste oil, pesticides and other organic chemicals can destroy helpful bacteria and the chemical process taking place within your system. These chemicals also pollute the groundwater, so make sure you dispose of them properly.
- Frozen pipes: Frozen pipes in California are not always common, but they can happen. When leaving your home for extended periods of time during cold weather, be sure to set the thermostat to maintain a reasonable interior temperature— otherwise, a pipe may freeze. Also, if during winter a basement window is broken near a pipe, this may also cause freezing. Frozen pipes eventually burst, constituting a major emergency. Avoid frozen pipes during winter and you can help protect your home against flooding.
Many people wonder what plumbing situations do not constitute an emergency. Suddenly clogged drains or toilets, a running toilet or dripping faucet, having no hot water, small water leaks coming from fixtures—these are all surely inconveniences, but they do not necessarily mean you need emergency plumbing in Modesto, CA. Instead, call a plumber and make an appointment. Regardless of the plumbing problem, it never hurts to give a professional plumber a call to inquire whether your situation is an emergency or not.