Plumbing Emergencies & Doing Your Best To Prevent Them

Emergencies tend to come when you least expect them and this is often the same with plumbing emergencies. It could be caused from severe damage from a storm, burst pipes, blocked drains, a gas leak, or issues with your hot water system. While many plumbing emergencies cannot be prevented, such as storm or frost damage, many severe plumbing issues can be avoided altogether by proactively maintaining your residential or commercial property plumbing through the services of an experienced plumber.

What is considered an emergency plumbing issue?

Below are a few of the most common plumbing emergencies.

Burst Pipe

A classic example of a plumbing emergency, if ever there was one. A burst pipe can occur for a multitude of different reasons, whether that is; storm damage, wear and tear, tree roots or frost. In some cases, it is possible to have a ruptured pipe that goes undetected for some time, leaking water into the ground and potentially doing further damage. When it comes to significant leaks, it is best to turn off the main water valve that goes to the house, if you know where it is and call an emergency plumber. If you notice a leak (however minor) it is best to act rather than wait until it develops into a more significant problem. Enlisting the services of a qualified plumber to reline your pipes is a cost-effective and non-invasive method to get years more life out of your pipes without replacing them, or needing to dig up your backyard to access your pipes. Many plumbers even use CCTV location services to ascertain damage to your pipes when finding leaks and to inspect the condition of your pipes.

Blocked drains

Blocked drains can cause real problems if left untreated, causing pipes to burst and requiring immediate attention from an emergency plumber. Some telltale signs can indicate whether you have a blocked pipe include; leaks, water being sluggish to drain from sinks and baths or showers, slow-flowing water, a lingering bad smell, odd sounds coming from the walls and near drains. All these are good indicators that your drains may need attention before they cause significant problems. Many qualified plumbers utilise hydro jetting, which uses highly pressurised water through the pipes to clear any blockages and stubborn debris within. Licenced emergency plumbers can maintain your drains and pipes and attend to any blockages within your home or residential property.

Hot water system issues

A hot water system is fantastic when it's working, but when you suddenly don’t have any hot water, fluctuating temperatures, the pressure diminishing or a leak, you need to act swiftly and get a qualified emergency plumber to sort out the problem. Most problems with hot water systems can be avoided through annual services. The team at Jet Blaster Man are licenced and experienced with fitting, repairing and replacing hot water systems, whether they are gas, electric or solar systems.

Gas leaks

Many households or commercial properties utilise gas appliances, such as gas hot water systems, stoves and furnaces. Natural gas is a convenient and solid option for your home, but if not regularly maintained can cause emergency plumbing issues. Gas naturally has no scent, so gas companies add a chemical to make it smell similar to rotten eggs, in order to be easily detectable if there is a leak. Gas leaks are incredibly dangerous and in worst case scenarios, can result in permanent injury or be lethal. Or even lead to fires or explosions. In the event of a gas leak, you should extinguish all naked flames and contact a licenced plumber or gas fitter. If it is safe to do so, you should turn off the gas at the gas metre or cylinder, open all the windows and doors in your property for ventilation, turn off all appliances and electrical, and exit the building. To help avoid issues with your gas appliances it is important to have them serviced annually by qualified plumbers. Additionally, replacing the batteries in your carbon monoxide alarm at least twice a year and having it maintained by a qualified contractor is another measure to keep your household safe. To learn more about gas safety, check out this NSW government resource.

Preventative approach to plumbing emergencies

While some plumbing emergencies cannot be avoided, many can be with routine maintenance. It is advised not to try and solve any emergency plumbing issues on your own, but to contact an emergency plumber to come out and fix the issue. Jet Blaster Man is on call 24/7 to attend to your plumbing emergencies in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. Get in touch with the team here. Or learn more about the other emergency plumbing issues they can attend to.