Top Mistakes to Avoid During a Plumbing Emergency


Plumbing emergencies can be inconveniencing and can lead to gross damages. Fortunately, if you are handy, you can carry out some easy fixes to put the emergency under control and avoid further damages. But firstly, you need to know the common mistakes to be on the safe side during plumbing emergencies.

  1. Letting the Water On

During a plumbing emergency, the first thing you ought to do is to turn off running water. Letting the water on is a grave mistake that most homeowners make which can lead to flooding and water damages. So, be sure to shut off valves of your primary water sources and drain the taps before you begin any repairs.

  1. Flushing Items That You Shouldn’t

You should be cautious about what you flush in your toilet. Just because things seem flushable doesn’t mean they should be flushed. Flushing things other than toilet paper during a plumbing emergency can clog the toilet, which can make the sewage to back up into your house.

Another mistake people do is to let children play around the toilet.  Children can easily flush foreign objects like toys which can also block your drain line. Also, things like tampons and wipes should not be flushed as they can remain in the line.

  1. Ignoring Minor Plumbing Issues

One big mistake most homeowners make is to ignore minor plumbing problems. A small leak can lead to wastage of several gallons of water in a day.  Something as little as a clanking sound can lead to significant issues like a flooded basement. So, don’t make a mistake of ignoring such minor problems as they can escalate and lead to huge problems.

Plumbing problems cannot sort out themselves. You need to call a plumber immediately to do the repairs lest the issues get even worse.

  1. Handling Plumbing Repairs That You Are Not Sure About

Some homeowners see plumbing issues, and they decide to do it by themselves. While it is not a bad idea to handle quick fixes on your own, you should never carry out big plumbing tasks that you are not sure about. This is because they may require specialized tools that you may not have.

Additionally, handling tasks you are not familiar with during an emergency can lead to more plumbing problems. To save your time and avoid frustrations, it is advisable to call a professional plumber to solve the problem.

  1. Using Excess Drain Line Cleaners

Overusing drain line cleaners is a mistake you should avoid during a plumbing emergency. Excess drain line cleaners will not help you to clear the line. Instead, the chemicals can corrode your pipes and cause damages. These chemicals work by eating away whatever is in the drain line. As such, they should not be used too often.

You should always consider snaking the drain as this will help you to clear the line without much damages.  Alternatively, you can call a plumber to help you clear the drain professionally to avoid more issues.

If avoided, the above mistakes can help you get through a plumbing emergency with little stress. So, ensure you don’t make any of these mistakes.

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