7 Signs You Need Emergency Plumbing Services

A plumbing emergency can happen at any time, so it’s important to know the signs that require you to call emergency plumbing services. The longer you ignore any of the problems listed in the article, the more serious and expensive the damage could become.

Frozen Pipes

Are frozen pipes an emergency?

Yes! If it’s the middle of winter and you’re getting no water from your pipes, and all you hear is a clunking or banging sound when you turn on the faucet, chances are that your pipes are frozen.

This is a serious issue because water expands when it freezes, meaning your pipes could crack, break or burst, leading to an even more expensive problem to fix.

Overflowing Toilets

If your toilet is sending waste back into your home or overflowing during a flush, then you have emergency plumbing issues.

This occurrence usually means that there’s a backup in your sewer line.

This could be your home’s sewer line or an issue with the city’s side of the plumbing.

toilet plumbing rough in

Bad smell & Strange Sounds

If you smell something awful coming from your pipes, it means there’s sewer gas leaking into your home.

This happens if your sewer pipes are broken or there’s no P trap installed in one of your drains.

Alternatively, if it’s strange noises you’re dealing with such as a gurgling or banging noise in your pipes even when your fixtures or appliances aren’t being used, you could be dealing with a leak in your water line.

Low/Poor Flow & Water Pressure

Low water pressure is a real bummer if you’re trying to bathe or do the dishes. But what causes low water pressure?

There could be a number of issues including a partially-closed valve, too many taps being used at the same time, a broken pipe somewhere along with the line, or even a faulty water pressure regulator.

Slow Drainage

Over time, bits of food and grease or even hair from your bathroom can build up to start to clog the drains.

You’ll know this is the issue when it takes a long time for your water to drain whether it’s in the kitchen sink or the bathtub.

This is an early warning sign that you need a professional plumber to inspect and fix the problem.

No Water

If you go to turn on the shower and you’re not getting any water, you need emergency plumbing services.

There could be an issue with your home’s pipes or something wrong with the city’s system, but you’ll need a professional to diagnose the issue.

Leaking Fixtures/Signs of Flooding

If your kitchen tap is dripping or you notice a small puddle gathering at the base of your toilet, then you know it’s time to call in a professional plumber to deal with the situation.

It might not seem like a big deal now, but leave it unattended and it could rapidly expand into a much more serious issue with major consequences for your home.

What To Do In A Plumbing Emergency?

If you’re experiencing any of these issues with your plumbing, don’t leave it any longer. The team at Summit Drain is standing by 24/7 to take your call. Our fully trained, licensed, and insured professional plumbers will respond to your location when you need us and you’ll always get service with a smile. Contact us today for a free consultation.

FAQ

A main sewer line blockage can cause water to backup in random places. For instance, you run your washing machine and notice your sink overflowing – this can be a clear sign that you have a clogged drain line.

If you have ruled out a potential sewer drain clog, you can rinse your sewer drain by flushing it with water. When you flush your lines, try adding a bit of drain cleaner to the water. A great place to flush your sewer line is the toilet – a larger amount of water and drain cleaner can enter your system quickly and easily. Unfortunately, if you do this when you have a clog, it can cause backup and potential flooding – if this is the case, clear the clog first.

You should generally know if your sewer line is blocked with slow drainage. The purpose of the sewer line is to take all the water drainage away from your house via sinks, bathtubs or toilets – if you find that there is slower drainage in one drain then you can essentially clear that yourself using a drain snake or a plunger.

There is confusion regarding when you are responsible for sewer line repair. While some may believe that the homeowner is only responsible for repairing the part of the line that’s on their property, this is not the case. Sewer lines consist of multiple sections, the upper lateral, lower lateral and the main line. The city is only responsible for repairing the main sewer line.

If issues with the main sewer line cause damage to your lower lateral, which is most likely where the damage would generally first start – the city would repair this damage when they work on the main sewer line. Unfortunately, if there is backup and flooding on your property from the main sewer line, then the city would not be responsible. It is best to follow up with the city to see if they will repair any damage in these cases.

Unpleasant smells coming from your drains is indicative of sewer line issues and damage. You should always take these types of smells seriously as it could be toxic fumes slowly releasing from the sewer below into your home.

There are a number of ways to clear a slow drain using products found around the home:

Bent Wire – If you do not have a drain snake, you can try using a stiff wire – like one from a clothes hanger, leaving the hook to enter pipes and pull out any clogs. Try to make sure you don’t push debris further into the pipe.

Homemade Flush – Mixing baking soda and vinegar can dissolve any materials that are potentially clogging your drain pipes. This is a good and much safer alternative to store-bought chemical cleaners.

Toilet Plunger – Like plunging a toilet, you can try using this on your drains. Using a plunger on your drains can help get things moving by using suction. This should be enough to fix any mild blockages.

Aged drain pipes are at risk for corrosion which can lead to breaks. Summit Drain has both the technology and expertise to fix this if necessary.

Yes. Drain pipes are durable, but not meant to last forever. If you live in an older home in Ottawa, most likely the pipes are made from copper and can collapse in this day and age.

When it comes to a collapsed drain, call Summit Drain. We use trenchless technology to replace sewer pipes made from original materials without ruining your property.

Rock salt
Rock salt helps by removing moisture from the roots, which in turn kills them. Two lbs should do the trick, pour 1 down the toilet. Flush until gone. And repeat with the next. Then leave for 12 hours and don’t run any water.


Foaming root killers
Another effective way to treat roots in pipes is with foaming root killers. Pour powder into toilet and flush. It will foam upon contact with water. Not only does it help dissolve current roots, but also helps to protect against future ones.


Copper sulfate
Copper sulfate is another good option. Available at most hardware stores, pour roughly half a cup into toilet and flush until gone. Leave the home and take all pets and family members along. This is a toxic substance and banned in some places.


Should I replace old pipes?
There does come a time where it makes sense to replace your pipes. Over time they crack and corrode. It is recommended to begin routine inspections once your home reaches 50 years in age. For plumbing Services in and around the Ottawa area, nobody does it like Summit Drain.

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