6 Most Common Sacramento Plumbing Emergencies
There are many different plumbing issues that can arise in your home. From a leaky faucet to a major pipe leak, our team has really seen it all!
Today on our weekly blog, our plumbers share the most common plumbing emergencies we experience in Sacramento.
6 Most Common Sacramento Plumbing Emergencies
Plumbing issues come in all sorts of sizes and shapes, from minor and inexpensive issues such as running toilets or dripping faucets to major pipe leaks that could cause a lot of damage to floors, walls, and other personal property. Our professionals at Gilmore have encountered frequent plumbing problems every day.
This is why it always comes in handy to have an emergency plumbing contact in case you have any issues with your plumbing. Knowing that you can reach out to a licensed professional plumber from Gilmore Heating, Air, and Plumbing when a problem such as your sewage backing up or flooding should put you at ease.
You should never try to do any major plumbing repairs on your own. You should, instead, contact our experienced plumbing team for any emergency plumbing issues and allow us to provide proper and reliable repairs.
We have compiled a list of the most common plumbing problems in houses as well as their causes.
6 Types of Major Plumbing Problems
There are many problems that your home’s plumbing system can experience. From clogged and burst pipes to faulty working fixtures, at any time or day, your system can break down. It is important to figure out the exact cause of the malfunction and to find the best solution possible.
1. Clogged or Running Toilet
If you try flushing your toilet and the bowl fills up but doesn’t drain away, then you have a blockage. Blockages are usually caused by a mixture of human waste, toilet paper, and other objects. You can use a plunger to try to fix a clogged toilet. If that does not work, then a drain auger or sewer snake may be used to help loosen the blockage.
A running toilet, on the other hand, is a more serious issue. Not only do you not have access to your toilet anymore, but you lose up to 200 gallons of water a day. There’s also the potential for unhygienic situations and water damage.
The most common cause of a running toilet is a faulty flapper valve. This is the valve that controls the water that goes to the bowl from the tank. You can turn off the valve on the feed line to stop your toilet from overflowing.
You should immediately call an experienced plumber who can help you with the necessary toilet repairs. While you wait, you should place a couple of thick towels on the floor to absorb the water from the running toilet. This will help prevent damage to your floor.
2. Your Wedding Ring Fell Down the Drain
While dropping your wedding ring or other jewelry might feel a bit embarrassing, please refrain from making it worse by pouring water down the drain. Instead, reach out to a local plumber from a Sacramento plumbing company. The ring is probably stuck in the p-trap, and the plumber will skillfully disassemble the drainpipe to retrieve it. There’s no need to panic; they’ve got it under control.
3. Burst Sewer or Water Pipes
This issue mainly occurs during the winter when a pipe freezes. The buildup of pressure in the pipe caused by ice formation can result in flooding or even the pipe bursting.
The winter fix for this problem involves locating your water shut-off valve and turning off the water supply. Once you’ve done that, it’s crucial to get in touch with a professional plumber who can evaluate the damage and provide a suitable solution. Whether your situation requires prompt repairs or a complete replacement, it’s essential to entrust the task to an expert.
4. Lack of Water
If you have no water coming from your faucets in the bathroom or kitchen, we recommend that you ask your neighbors if they are experiencing the same plumbing issue. Often, these issues can be neighborhood-wide. If they say yes, then the issue may be due to a municipal water problem. However, if they say no, then there might be a problem with your water main, like a severe leak.
A professional plumber will carefully examine your water lines and find the exact problem you are facing. Once they find the problem, they will advise on how to proceed, or alternatively, they will repair it.
5. Low Water Pressure
If the water from your faucet is trickling instead of gushing, it could be a sign of low water pressure, especially in older homes. This issue is often a result of leaking pipes that have deteriorated, broken, or become corroded over time. In some instances, although less common, sediment buildup or mineral deposits on the aerators can also be the cause of this reduced water flow.
6. Sewer System Backup
System backups can be costly to repair, inconvenient, and quite unpleasant due to the odor. If you’re experiencing toilets that won’t flush or drains that won’t clear, and you notice a foul smell of human waste, this could very well be the problem at hand.
Common causes of a sewer system backup can include:
- The Water Main Is Blocked: To minimize the chances of this happening, avoid flushing diapers, wipes, or pads down the toilet.
- Tree Roots Have Intruded Into the Pipes: Roots can push through pipe cracks or crush pipes when they surround them.
- The Old Sewer Lines Collapsed: While sewer lines these days are made of plastic, they used to be built from clay or cast iron, which decays over time. This decay can trigger some rather serious plumbing emergencies.
Contact a Sacramento Plumber Today
No matter what scale of emergency plumbing you’re facing in Sacramento, we at Gilmore Heating, Air, and Plumbing are up to the job. We are available 24/7 for any plumbing emergencies you may have, so don’t hesitate to call us at (866) 393-8316 for assistance.
Contact us immediately, and we will resolve the issue quickly and effectively.
