There's one thing that everyone in a home or workplace uses on a daily basis, and in some ways even rely on to enjoy a modern, 21st-century life of convenience.
But despite that heavy reliance, it's also something that most people don't give much thought to until something goes wrong, and that's plumbing, this is why emergency plumbing problems can arise at any moment.
Your indoor plumbing is a huge source of a lot of the ease that we enjoy in modern life. But are you prepared for some of the problems that come with the territory of having plumbing in your building? Here are some of the issues you could be facing.
Fixtures That Leak
Fortunately, this isn't an issue that necessarily has to constitute an emergency, though it is inconvenient, can be annoying, and, if left unattended, can cost you money.
A leak in a faucet or showerhead is not something you should leave alone. Usually, this happens due to ordinary, household wear and tear in easily replaceable parts.
If you're willing to do the job yourself, most of the time getting a wrench and swapping out a part like a washer or O-ring is enough to stop a leak. If not, time to bring in the pros!
Blocked Up Drains
This one is easily preventable if you're paying attention. A blocked
drain simply means that water is no longer traveling down the drain, into
the sewage pipe and out of the building, so there's an obstruction
somewhere preventing water flow.
In most cases, you'll get "early warning" of this because you'll first have a "slow drain," where you'll notice the water isn't draining as quickly as it used to.
That should be your cue to use either a plunger or a plumber's auger to see if you can more easily clear out the pipe. Be careful with chemical drain cleaners. The corrosives can damage old pipes, or even warp modern plastic ones if used too frequently, or not correctly!
Toilet Overflow
While mechanically this is not that different from a blocked drain, the effect it can have on your home is often far less pleasant, and, to a certain degree, a health risk.
Toilets that overflow mean they have a blockage in the pipe somewhere. Unfortunately, because toilets get rid of human waste, that means it's now coming back up and spilling onto your floor.
Once again, a plunger or auger can help in these instances though if the blockage is severe, such as a child's toy blocking the pipe, you might need professional help.
Burst Pipes
This can often be a serious problem when it does happen, but fortunately is not that frequent. Burst pipes mean that either water from water pipes is now leaking out somewhere in the house, or, worse yet, used water from faucets, tubs, showers, or toilets, are spilling out of a burst drainage pipe.
These problems don't have an easy fix, and often need a professional to get quality results. Sometimes pipes burst simply because they are too old. Other times it may weather related, such as cold winters freezing water, causing that water to expand.
Whatever the case is, if you have a problem with your plumbing in Ruston, LA, try to estimate the scope of the issue. If it's serious, don't try to fix it yourself with low-cost shortcuts, get a professional to provide a quality, long lasting repair.
