A small leak behind the wall can damage your drywall and floors overnight. Even a slow drain can flood your basement with just a few hours of neglect. In these cases, immediately calling an emergency plumber can save you from paying thousands for water damage restoration.
But not every plumbing problem is an emergency. Some problems can wait until morning without much risk. So, how can you tell which is which?
Below, this emergency plumbing company in Lincolnwood, Illinois is going to explore both types of situations.
Plumbing problems you can’t ignore.
If water is pooling on floors or dripping through ceilings.
Even a short burst of water can damage walls and flooring, reach wiring, and cause mold to grow within 24 to 48 hours. Common causes are burst pipes, blown supply lines, broken washing machine hoses, a failed water heater tank, or a dead sump pump.
Immediately shut the shutoff valve for that fixture or the main supply to the whole. You should also flip the breaker if water is near outlets/appliances, then call an emergency plumber.
Any signs of wastewater.
If there is even a hint of sewage backing up into your home, it is an emergency. Sewer backups contain harmful pathogens and are a health hazard.
Watch for multiple fixtures backing up at once, toilets or sinks gurgling when you use another drain, a sewer smell inside your home, or water bubbling up from a floor drain after heavy rain. If you see any of those, cut off the water immediately and call an emergency plumber.
Total loss of water pressure.
If there is no water coming out of any faucet in your house, it could be because of main line problems, a burst supply line or a failed regulator. Check the main shutoff and test more than one faucet.
If the cause is not immediately obvious in the first five minutes, call emergency services.
Water heater failures.
A leaking water heater tank, temperature & pressure (T&P) valve discharge, or popping/boiling sounds are all warning signs. If you smell gas anywhere near the tank, call the gas company first. After that, get the plumber on the line immediately.
Sump pump failure during rain/high groundwater.
If the pump is running but not moving water, the breaker keeps tripping, the float is stuck, or you can see the water rising in the pit, call an emergency plumber immediately. A dry basement can flood in minutes.
Structural warning signs.
If you see the ceiling sagging, bubbles forming in drywall or door frames suddenly not closing properly near a leak, do not hesitate to call an emergency plumbing company in Lincolnwood, Illinois.
What to do before the plumber gets there?
Once you have called an emergency plumbing company in Lincolnwood, Illinois, there are some things you can do before they arrive.
Shut off the water first. Find the local shutoff valve if you know where the leak is coming from. If you can’t find the source, close the main water shutoff valve.
After you shut off the water, open a faucet on the lowest floor. This will drain any leftover water in the pipes.
Now, remove standing water using towels, mops, or a wet/dry vacuum. You want to dry the area within 24–48 hours, as mold can start growing after that timeframe.
If there is water near outlets or appliances, flip the breaker for that area until things are under control.
Plumbing problems that can wait till morning.
Not every water leakage problem or plumbing noise demands immediate attention. If you can control the situation, you might be able to save yourself the cost of a 2 AM plumber call.
Slow drips: If a faucet is dripping every 15 seconds but you can contain the water and keep it away from walls/electricals, you can wait till morning.
Leaks with a working shutoff valve: If you can turn off the water to that one leaky fixture and isolate the problem, you can wait until the plumber is there.
Small appliance leaks: If you can shut off the water supply line to the appliance and keep the mess from spreading, you can safely wait until daylight.
Looking for an emergency plumbing company in Lincolnwood, Illinois?
Whenever you are facing a plumbing emergency, call John J. Cahill Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. As the top-rated 24/7 emergency plumbing company in Lincolnwood, Illinois, our team handles emergencies day or night. Contact us anytime at 847-864-5225 for assistance.
