Most Common Emergency Plumbing Disasters

shutterstock_131372426With the DIY revolution in full-swing, driven by reality television shows such as The Block, many Australians are of the opinion that they can take care of their home’s maintenance needs on their own – and to a certain extent they are right. However, there are some common plumbing issues that tend to turn into common plumbing disasters, and in these cases it’s important that you get a professional to fix the issue before it costs you thousands.

Some of the most common plumbing issues that should be attended to by a professional include:

  • Blocked drains – Many people fail to take preventative measures when it comes to blocked drains, and this can lead to issues that only a plumber can deal with. For example, you should never pour oils or fats down the kitchen sink, as they solidify in the pipes and cause blockages. An eco-friendly way to clean out any debris that may be accumulating is to send a mixture of:
    • ½ cup baking soda
    • 1 cup white vinegar
    • Juice from half a lemon
    • 4L hot water

down the drain. Once the drain is completely blocked, however, it may be necessary to call a plumber before the sink overflows or the structure of the pipes are weakened from the amount of pressure being placed on them.

  •  Leaking taps – Listening to the drip, drip, drip of a leaking tap all night is enough to drive anyone crazy, and so some people attempt to fix leaking taps on their own. However, if you have not had the proper training then by doing this you could in fact make the leaking worse. Repairing a leaking tap usually includes three components – the o-ring, the body washer and the jumper valve. Unless you know how to tell which of these components is the one causing the leak, you should call an experienced plumber and have them fix it.
  • Hot water system repairs – This is another common job that people attempt to repair on their own and end up creating a much bigger and more expensive problem for themselves. If you attempt to fix your hot water system on your own you could not only void the manufacturer’s warranty, but it could create a dangerous situation. Some signs that there is something wrong with your hot water system include:
    • The water being cooler than it should be
    • Rust-coloured water
    • Any moisture or pools of water around the base of the system

When undertaking any work involving the plumbing in your home, make sure that you fully understand the issue and have the ability to fix it before you begin. If you don’t have complete confidence that you will be able to fix the problem without making it worse, we advise that you hire a professional plumber to get the problem sorted without further disaster.

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