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Some Common Plumbing Emergencies And Tips for Homeowners
Busted water line
A burst hose can be a huge waste of water, expelling around 500 gallons of water per hour. To get things swiftly repaired and replaced, the help of a plumbing professional is crucial. They will immediately turn the water off before tackling the work in the most effective manner possible. Make sure you know where your water shut off valve is BEFORE you experience a plumbing emergency. Turning the water off early can save you thousands of dollars in water damage costs.
Frozen water line
Although it is rare, frozen pipes in Atlanta do happen. Any pipes outside of your Georgia home that are exposed to freezing cold air are susceptible to freezing. Unfortunately if this happens, the pipes could burst or become majorly damaged if they are not handled properly. This is where a licensed plumber will help, as they will provide thorough service that takes care of the damage the right way. From doing a thorough inspection to find the exact pipes that are frozen to thawing them out with professional grade equipment, they take care of everything.
Sewer Backup
Sewer backups are unpleasant but they are common problems for homeowners today. If you have experienced a backup, whether it has put sewage inside or outside of your home, then a plumber needs to be called immediately. They will follow the appropriate steps to make sure the sewer line doesn't get any worse. This can save you a lot of stress and help make sure the clog is cleared without damage to your pipes. Most people today do not have the machines or tools that are needed to do this, so don't take the risk of going the DIY route. A professional is the only person you should trust to help you.
Water Heater Leaking
Water heaters can leak for a wide variety of reasons, ranging from corrosion on the tank to a broken drain valve. The difficulty in finding the exact underlying cause of the problem is why a licensed plumber must be called right away. They will immediately address the problem to let you know whether repairs can be done or a replacement is necessary. Remember, if this is not taken care of immediately, it could cause severe water damage in your home and may even lead to flooding.
Gas Leak
If you smell gas in your home, do not attempt to locate the leak on your own. This can result in missing the problem at hand and having dangerous gas leaking into your home for a very long time. Take the leak seriously and leave the area immediately. Follow the recomendations of your local gas company. This may incude calling the gas company or other local emergency numbers. Once the home is cleared for safety, the gas company may recommend having a plumber come out to repair the leak. Using a professional for the repair is crucial. With their help you can get the leak sealed so you can return to your home and live safely once again.
Sewer Gas Smell
Sewer gas smell is not only bothersome, it can also be incredibly dangerous to your health. This is why it's crucial to hire a plumber immediately to come and inspect your home. Their familiarity with sewer gas and how it could be leaking into your home will give you the very best chance of finding the source of the problem. Whether due to a water seal in the floor drain or broken sewer pipe, they will run diagnostic tests and do visual exams to target the issue quickly. Upon finding that problem they will immediately perform repairs and replacements that remedy the problem and get the sewer gas out of your home.
Common Symptoms of Plumbing Problems
Every homeowner or even renter has experienced some degree of plumbing issues in their home. Whether your experience was with an issue that was mild or severe, you can likely look back and recognize symptoms that were pointing to these issues before they ever occurred. Fortunately if you are more aware of signs that your home’s plumbing is sending you in the future, you’ll know to call a plumber right away. Some of the most common symptoms of plumbing issues to keep aware of include:
Slow Draining Drain - After you use your sink or bathtub, do you notice the water takes longer than normal to go down the drain completely? This is caused by clogged drains that have often been building up for months or even years.
Sputtering Faucet - If your faucet makes a sputtering noise, this is a sign that there could be a crack or break in your pipe.
Bad Water Pressure - This could be caused by many different issues, such as the wrong size pipe being used, a clog, or even a leak.
Water Drips and Puddles - Any time you see water drips or puddles in your home it's a sign that there could be mold, rot, a burst pipe, or any size of leak. Unfortunately because water can travel, targeting the exact area where the problem is can be very difficult without the right tools and experience.
High Water Bill - While this may not be a symptom you can hear or see, it’s one that you’ll notice when you get your water bill. Spikes in water bills are surefire signs that you have an issue in your plumbing. Whether this is a leak or something else, it's a sign that you need to have an inspection done as soon as possible.
Air Bubbles in Toilet Bowl - This might seem harmless but there’s a reason the air has gotten into the toilet bowl in the first place. The most likely culprit is there's a repair issue in the venting system that needs to be fixed. The issue is not equalizing the air pressure in the drain, which is causing problems with the water flow. This can affect the drainage in your home and get worse over time.
When to Call a Plumber for an Emergency
When you experience plumbing issues inside of your household, your first thought might be to contact a plumber for emergency services. However, this isn't necessary the majority of the time, as many issues can be dealt with the next business day. Some situations where it's okay to wait include:
Clogged Toilet - A clogged toilet is one of the most common reasons why homeowners contact plumbers. If you can, wait to have this dealt with during regular business hours and use a different toilet until then.
Hissing Toilet - This could be caused from a wide variety of different issues but doesn’t generally constitute an emergency. Turn the water to the toilet off right at the pipe and wait until a plumber can come and take a look.
Leaking Faucet - If a faucet springs a leak when you are using it, immediately turn it off so the water stops. If you an use a different faucet until regular hours, then you’ll save yourself a lot of money on plumbing repairs.
Dripping Water Leaks - Although these situations may seem like emergencies, they can generally be dealt with for short-term with a bucket or pan where the water is leaking. If the water is gushing out, then turn the water off at the source to ensure no flooding occurs. If you can, wait until normal business hours to have this dealt with.
Hiring a Reputable Plumbing Company For Home or Business When You Need One The Most
There are many do-it-yourself projects that can be done within your Georgia home, but plumbing is one that an amateur should never attempt. This work requires the expertise and experience that only a licensed plumber will have. There are simply far too many risks of trying to take care of plumbing on your own or even with the help of a friend, including the complete flooding of your home. Unfortunately many homeowners who attempt their own plumbing repairs end up needing the help of a professional plumber in the end.
Licensed plumbers go through many years of training on the job in order to do this type of work, starting with long-term apprenticeships. This is where they fine-tune their expertise and get hands-on experience with fixing virtually every plumbing issue homeowners come across. From simple clogged toilets to complex plumbing problems, they are there to turn a stressful crisis into a structured project. Their confidence allows them to manage the project smoothly and ensure every step is taken to make the project go as they should.
What's even more important about hiring a licensed plumber in Georgia is the fact that they have taken the step to prove their competence in this field as a whole. Unlike non-licensed plumbers, they have gone through testing with the state to prove their abilities with every type of plumbing repair, install, or upgrade. Only upon passing these exams are plumbers given their state license, which can provide you with confidence knowing you’re hiring someone that can be trusted to do work the right way.
The time when it’s truly essential to hire a licensed plumber is when there is an emergency within your home. Their guidance will be incredibly useful, but their skills, knowledge, and professional tools will contribute to a much less stressful experience. Their expertise with the following situations in particular will ensure you are provided with the high quality help that you need.
Dealing with any type of plumbing issue in your Georgia home can be stressful, but a professional Atlanta plumber will make sure the plumbing work is done properly. Their experience, skills, and work van filled with equipment will all lend to an experience that goes much more smoothly than any DIY project would. If you find yourself in a plumbing emergency situation, call Atlantis Plumbing and we will do our best to solve your plumbing emergency as soon as possible.
We Offer Emergency Plumbing in the Greater Atlanta Metro, Including:
Fulton County, Bartow County, Cobb County, Paulding County, Cherokee County, Gwinnett County, and Douglas County.
Acworth GA, Atlanta GA, Austell GA, Cartersville GA, Doraville GA, Douglasville GA, Hiram GA, Kennesaw GA, Lawrenceville GA, Lithia Springs GA, Loganville GA, Mableton GA, Marietta GA, Powder Springs GA, Rockmart GA, Roswell GA, Smyrna GA, Tucker GA, Villa Rica GA, Vinings GA, Woodstock GA, and surrounding communities.