Construction & Contractors Blog
Do you currently own (or are you planning on purchasing) your own home? Do you know how to help prevent a costly plumbing emergency from happening to you? Many people don't realize that a plumbing system, like a car or truck, should have regular checkups to make sure that it's in top condition. Here are some causes of plumbing emergencies and how you can help prevent them from happening:
Ruptured pipe: A broken pipe is often a serious plumbing emergency. If left unchecked, the resulting flood of water can damage both your home and your personal belongings. You should visually inspect your exposed pipes at least once a year, including any in an attic or crawlspace. If your pipes appear to be rusting or are otherwise corroded, have a plumber come out to verify whether or not the pipes need to be replaced. If you live in an area where it frequently drops below freezing, even sturdy-looking pipes can burst if they get frozen. A plumber can install insulation or a heating element that will wrap around your pipes and prevent them from freezing.
Clogged toilet: Nearly every toilet gets clogged at one point or another. If you only have one toilet in your home, this can be an inconvenient plumbing emergency. Clogged toilets are often caused by unflushable items being put into the toilet. While this may include action figures and toy cars that have been flushed by enthusiastic toddlers, adults can also be the cause of toilet clogs. Things that you should never flush down a toilet include paper towels, newspaper, nearly all cat litter, and baby wipes. Unlike toilet paper, none of these have been engineered to disintegrate when flushed. They may also absorb water and expand in the pipe, blocking further flushes. Even if you have been flushing some of these items with no apparent problem, you should immediately stop and contact a plumber like http://cbrothers.com. They will be able to come out and clean your pipes so that these unflushable items don't become a problem in the future.
It's usually much easier and cheaper to prevent a plumbing emergency than it is to fix one after it happens. Prevention is also the key to keeping you, your family and your home safe from potential harm or damage. Although nobody wants a plumbing emergency to happen, remember that you should have your water cut-off valve located, so that it can be shut off quickly in case of an emergency.
Share23 February 2015
My name is Debbie Greenberg. I’m a single woman who owns her home, and like most homeowners I dread home repairs. I’m not very handy with do-it-yourself projects around the house. I can do a few minor repairs when necessary, but for the most part I have to call in a professional. Last year I had a leak in my roof. When it rained, water would leak into my kitchen. What appeared to be a simple fix turned out to be anything but simple. It took over four months to finally identify the problem, and double the money I was initially quoted to fix it. The problem ended up being that the flat part of my roof didn't have shingles, but a sheeting material. I learned a bit about home roofs along the way, and that is what I want to share with you.
