Top 5 Plumbing Disasters
Posted by at July 16, 2012 in Knowledge
Plumbing disasters can be frustrating to say the least. Whether you are building a home, remodeling or simply sitting quietly when a disaster strikes, it is important that you handle plumbing issues quickly. There are a number of things that can go wrong with your plumbing and here is a list of the top 5 disasters and how you can avoid them.
- Gas leaks are among the most commonly reported plumbing disasters. This is an area where you should never attempt a repair on your own. When you first smell gas you should ensure that your home is empty and that you contact your local gas company quickly. Keeping gas appliances maintained and clean will help to prevent gas leaks by minimising the chances of lines becoming damaged or blocked.
- Frozen water pipes are another common disaster that is relatively easy to prevent. When water freezes it will expand. This can cause pipes to burst and when this happens, you will have quite the mess on your hands. If your water pipes have frozen and you know that the pipes have not cracked, you can thaw them out by pouring luke warm water over them. Of course, it is much better to prevent this from happening in the first place. Ensure that your water pipes are insulated properly, especially those that are outside of buildings.
- Pipes can burst, causing all sorts of water damage. It is important that burst pipes be dealt with immediately. If you know where and how to turn off the water main, this is the first thing that you should do. Once you have turned off the water main you can assess and repair damaged pipes.
- Clogs are a very common plumbing problem and can easily be avoided. If your toilet or sinks become clogged, you can unclog them with a plunger or with an unblocking agent. If you cannot unclog the drains, consider calling in professional help. You certainly do not want to do anything that would cause you to burst your pipes.
- Fixtures that drip such as sinks or tubs can cost you much more than you realize in water usage. While this may not cause a major catastrophe, it can significantly drive up your water costs. If you have a leaky faucet, turn off your water and look for the cause of the drip. Often it will simply need a replacement seal or have a small blockage. If you find that it is not simply repaired, call a plumber to avoid causing additional damage.
These are the most commonly reported plumbing catastrophes and when they are not handled properly or quickly, they can cause major water damage in your home. At the very first sign of damage or problem with your plumbing, you should attempt a repair or if you are not sure that you can properly repair the problem yourself, do not hesitate to call in a professional. It is much better to be safe and spend a bit more for professional work than to attempt a repair job yourself and cause more damage in the long run.
This article was written by The Plumb Store. Click here to visit our site and buy bathroom products today.
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