When plumbing problems occur in the evenings or over the weekend, it is very tempting to pick up the phone and make an emergency service call. However, emergency service calls can come at a premium, so how do you know when to pick up the phone and make an emergency call and when to wait?
There are two types of problems, ones that are minor and can wait until the next business day, and others that are a true emergency and you probably shouldn’t wait – these will probably require an after-hours call.
Here are the things that we consider an emergency and suggest picking up the phone and calling Eastern Plumbing any day or time.
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Burst Pipes:
If you have a burst pipe in your home, you could have a mess on your hands. You should cut off the main water valve to prevent flooding and water running through the house. Since most people cannot wait until regular business hours when they’ve had a burst pipe, we recommend placing an emergency call.
We’d like to point out that the damage caused from flooding can cause significant damage to structures and therefore, should be addressed as soon as possible. Other emergencies that can cause flooding issues are a failed sump pump or a water shut off valve failure.
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Sewerage Block and/or Back Up:
This is a true emergency that requires immediate action and a permanent resolution. A blocked or backed up sewer line can create a health hazard. It can prevent your family from using the bathroom or running water, which will make your life difficult.
Finding out where the problem occurred, inside the underground pipes, can be a big task. One of the most common causes are tree roots. Tree roots naturally grow toward sewer lines because of the temperature and nutrients. The roots can enter and block the line, and the pressure can eventually cause the sewer line to crack.
If you are constantly encountering clogs around your house, you may have a blocked sewer line requiring an immediate solution.
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No Hot Water:
Most people need hot water for everyday uses. They need hot water for bathing, cooking and cleaning, especially during the winter. Not having access to running water is also a safety concern because, like a sewer issue, it prevents your family from using the restroom.
Losing hot water can wreck your day. If this happens, call a plumber with experience working with water heaters – call Eastern Plumbing.
Keep in mind, just because you place an emergency call doesn’t mean that when your plumber arrives after-hours that they will have access to all the required parts to complete the repair job.
If a problem can wait and it isn’t a true emergency then you may want to reconsider making the call. One benefit of waiting for a regular business day is that your plumber will have better access to supplies if they don’t have the exact part to complete a job.
These are a few less urgent issues that wouldn’t require an emergency service call:
- Clogged or slow running drains
- Inspections
- Flushing a water heater
- Running toilets
- Leaky faucets
- Repair or replacement of your garbage disposal or ice machine
If you’re searching for an emergency plumber in eastern North Carolina, or even a plumber to provide standard maintenance services, look no further. Call the plumbing professionals at Eastern Plumbing. We’re here to help, day or night, 24/7, give us a call at 252-758-7579.
