Most of us live in homes with modern plumbing. These pipes, faucets and drains help us dispose of waste and access hot water through faucets whenever we need it. But when our plumbing fails, suddenly life seems very difficult. 

 Plumbing emergencies make fast service and the attention of a skilled professional critical. But most of these crises are avoidable through a little forethought and routine maintenance. Below, we explore emergencies of the plumbing world, courtesy the pros at calgaryplumberanddrains.ca. Check these out and do your best to avoid them with the help of your local plumber.

Clogged Toilet

 Clogged toilets usually occur because of something caught in the pipes. This is typically excessive toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, household objects dropped into the bowl by accident or even waste itself. The more you flush with a clog, the higher your risk of flooding your bathroom. First, try loosening the clog using a plunger. If that does not work, call a plumber immediately.

Clogged Bathroom or Kitchen Drains

 A slowly draining sink is a sure sign that you will soon experience a clogged drain. Then you will not be able to wash your hands, clean dishes or brush your teeth in that particular sink. If your tub drain clogs, taking a bath or shower is not possible, either. You can try to open the clog yourself using a wire clothes hanger or even your fingers. But your best bet, particularly if the clog does not budge, is to call your plumber for help quickly.

Burst or Broken Pipes

 Burst pipes can flood and damage your entire home in mere moments. Old pipes and frozen pipes are most frequently the cause of these plumbing emergencies. To prevent these issues, have your home’s plumbing inspected yearly for signs of problems associated with age or other issues. During winter, never let your household temperature drop below freezing. When a break occurs, turn off the main water source and call your plumber.

No Hot Water

 Getting into the shower only to find the hot water is not working feels tragic. After all, no one likes cold showers, especially in winter. You cannot effectively clean dishes or wash clothes without hot water, either. Most of these plumbing emergencies relate to the hot water heater. Common problems causing the water heater to break down include a broken dip tube, sludge build-up in the unit or a broken heating mechanism. Through annual inspection and maintenance, your plumber can help avoid these problems. But when they occur, schedule a visit by the pros immediately.

Sump Pump Failure

 Homes with basements or crawl spaces typically also have a sump pump. This pump prevents flooding in your home during extreme rainfall. They typically fail because of being overworked or old. These pumps can also experience a stuck switch or clog due to debris. A broken sump pump can lead to flooding during the next rainstorm, so it is important to call your plumber for help.

Broken Water Main

 Your home has a water “main,” the line that brings water from the municipal supply or another water source into your property. When this line breaks down, you cannot get water into your pipes. Or, you may notice low pressure in all faucets and toilets. Other signs of problems include sputtering water flow or soggy patches in your yard. A broken line increases your water bill as water flows out of the break before reaching your home. The associated costs make it important to call your plumber as soon as you notice water pressure changes or lawn flooding.

Sewage Backup

 In many cases, a homeowner smells a sewage backup before they see the signs of one. When the sewer backs up, waste already moved outside of your home comes back into your property. This causes a terrible stench. It also puts your health at risk and can cause people to get sick. When you notice sewage backing up into your tub, the toilet or through other drains, call a plumber right away.

Leaks

 A small leak may require the scheduling of a plumber sometime in the following days. But a major leak is a bigger issue. You can try to fix a leaky pipe using duct tape. In many cases, however, this tape will not hold. Meanwhile, your water bill increases with each bucket of water you lose. Call your local plumber and let them know about your leak for a quick repair.