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Plumbing emergencies can consist of broken or frozen pipes, gas leaks, sewer backups, or breakdowns in the central heating system.
If plumbing is properly maintained, the risk of accidents happening will be minimal. Nevertheless, it is crucial to have the contact of an emergency plumber for any unforeseen circumstances. Here is a guide on what to do in the first instance when you are faced with any of the following plumbing emergencies.
How to Handle Plumbing Emergencies
Leaking or Burst Pipes
If you encounter leaking or burst pipes, the first thing you should do is to turn off the main water valve and put a call through to a plumber immediately. If you’re unsure of exactly where your main water valve is, let a plumber inspect your home and tell you the valve to turn off whenever an emergency occurs.
A professional plumber is the one in the best position to repair or replace leaking pipes and confirm that all parts of your plumbing are in good condition. In case you have a leak, stuff the affected area with towels and rags, or put buckets under the pipe to control the extent of the damage to your home.
Gas Leaks
In case of a gas leak; first of all, switch off the main valve, then put a call through to an emergency plumber immediately. A gas leak can lead to an injury or damage your property. Therefore, if you smell gas, you should quickly find out where the problem is coming from.
Broken Central Heating
This is an emergency that occurs mostly in the winter and in homes occupied by the elderly, children, or the sick. Here is how to solve some problems coming from your central heating.
Assuming the circuit breaker has tripped off, the thermostat has been switched off, or the oil tank is empty, these can all be easily resolved. However, if after checking all these and you still can’t figure out why the heating has stopped working, then you should put a call through to an emergency plumber.
How to Prevent a Plumbing Emergency from Occurring
So how can you prevent or reduce the risk of plumbing emergencies in your home?
Change or Service Old Parts
Is your boiler too old? It is advisable to take note of the number of years you’ve been using your boiler system. For instance, the average boiler can last for about 15 years, so if yours is reaching that age, you may need to start preparing to replace it with a new one. Regardless of the age of your system, make sure you service it every year to maintain its efficiency and elongate its lifespan.
Don’t Try to Fix Plumbing Emergencies Yourself
If you are unsure of your competency in plumbing, rather than trying to repair the damage, you can call a professional on MyJobQuote to fix the problem. Otherwise, your effort to repair it without professional help can worsen the situation and cause more damage.
If you follow this guide thoroughly, it will help you to prevent or reduce the risk of a plumbing emergency in your home.
Upgrade Your Boiler System
Typically, the average boiler has a lifespan of between 10 and 15 years. So, if yours has lasted for a duration within that range and is developing a fault, you may need to replace it. Modern boilers are condensing boilers so they are more efficient than the older ones.
If properly maintained, broilers will burn fuel efficiently. However, they also lose some heat in the gases that flow out of the flue. But because condensing boilers have bigger heat exchangers, they recover additional heat and send cooler gas away from the flue. The flue often gets too cool to the extent that they condense out the water vapour in them. And when more energy is regained, the efficiency of condensing boilers improves considerably.
