Preparing yourself for residential plumbing emergencies

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The Steps To Take To Get Rid Of Pluming Blockages

Is there a stink in your sink? Is your toilet refusing to drain after flushing? These are signs you have a blockage in your plumbing pipes! Some plumbing blockages can be fixed by you, but others need the assistance of a plumber. So, how do you decide which is which? You read up about plumbing blockages right here. Blockages can be caused by foreign objects placed in the loo, hair buildup in the shower trap, or even tree roots breaking through a pipe. Learn more about plumbing blockages so you can identify when it is necessary to pick up the phone and call your plumber.

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Preparing yourself for residential plumbing emergencies

19 February 2020
 Categories: , Blog


Your homes and buildings are not fail-proof, and plumbing emergencies can happen. It's possible to experience a frozen or broken pipe, leaking gas or sewer backups at unexpected moments. A plumbing emergency can make your home uncomfortable (or even dangerous) to stay in. It is, therefore, important to have an emergency plumber handy so you can quickly restore your plumbing system to full working condition.

What constitutes a plumbing emergency?

It can be tricky to know when it's time to call an emergency plumber. Indeed, neglecting a plumbing emergency can lead to further damage to your home and its appliances. Be ready to seek out emergency residential plumbing in Australia if you experience any of the following issues:

1.    A blocked drain

Blocked drains can lead to water not running down the sink, toilets being unable to flush or wastewater backing up into your home. When you experience blocked drains, it is important to consult a plumber in order to rectify the situation as soon as possible. Blocked drains can paralyse activities within your home such as washing dishes, taking a shower or visiting the bathroom.  

There are many items within your home or business that can lead to blockages. Remember that your sewer system is only designed to accept wastewater from toilets, bathrooms and sinks. Other foreign items can lead to your drainage system getting clogged. These items include the following:

  1. Food, fats and oils: The kitchen sink is a regular location for blocked drains. This is because people mistakenly dispose of solid food items and oils/fats down the drain. These items solidify and accumulate within drainage pipes, causing the system to get clogged.
  2. Sanitary items: Sanitary items such as towels and tampons also clog up the drainage system due to their relatively larger size. In addition, they don't break down in the water like tissues do, leading to blockages.
  3. Chemicals: Chemicals such as paint, solvents and acidic materials are not flushed away by water. They thus end up accumulating and clogging the pipes. Even worse, chemicals can lead to the corrosion of your pipes and cause more costly damages.

2.    A gas leak

Leaking gas in your home can be a recipe for disaster. If you notice the smell of gas in your home, you should be concerned. The first step is to make sure that all the gas outlets are closed. If the smell persists, you could have a leak. Shut off the main valve and call an emergency plumber immediately.

3.    A busted pipe

A busted pipe is a common cause for a plumbing emergency. Busted pipes often occur as a result of freezing, which may cause the pipe to expand and bust. Other causes include physical damage or old, worn-out pipes. If you notice a busted pipe, shut off the main water supply and call an emergency plumber.

4.    Overflowing toilets

You may have experienced that dreadful day when you tried to flush the toilet and water came swelling back up at you. Overflowing toilets can result in damages to your waste pipes and cause the toilet to become unusable. An emergency plumber can inspect the drainage pipes and identify what is causing the overflow.

To learn more, contact a plumber.