How to Stop a Plumbing Problem Before it’s an Emergency

Plumbing problems can be annoying, but plumbing emergencies can be disastrous. While plumbing emergencies can’t always be avoided, there are some signs to watch for that can help you stop a plumbing problem before it becomes a plumbing emergency.

Here’s an overview of some of the most common plumbing problems.

Dripping Faucet

This plumbing problem is so common that virtually everyone has probably experienced it at one time or another. That drip, drip, drip of a faucet that’s turned off, but still seems to be leaking water, is not only incredibly annoying, but extremely wasteful as well. You could waste gallons of water over the years through a dripping faucet.

Why do faucets drip? The culprit is most likely a faulty washer. Rubber or silicone washers inside your faucet form a watertight seal, sealing off the pipe when you close the tap. If your washer tears, stiffens or becomes dislodged, the water can leak through.

Low Water Pressure

You want a solid and steady stream of water coming out of your tap or shower, but you only get a trickle. That’s a low water pressure problem. It’s a common problem that can be extremely inconvenient. Sometimes, this is a problem with the municipal water supply and will resolve in short order without your intervention.

Other times, however, the problem may be a main line break or, more commonly, deposit or sediment buildup in faucet aerators.

Running Toilet

A toilet that won’t shut up is another common plumbing problem that’s likely to drive you crazy. Many times, it’s a simple matter of replacing or readjusting the float or the flapper valve, but if you can’t repair it easily yourself, it may be indicative of a bigger problem.

Leaky Pipe

If you’ve got a puddle of water under your sink, a leaky pipe is usually the culprit. This is not just inconvenient — it can also ruin anything under the sink and lead to mold or insects.

Clogged Drain

A clogged drain is useless as a drain, causing water to get backed up and making things extremely inconvenient for everybody involved.

How Your Plumbing Problem Can Become a Plumbing Emergency

Sometimes, seemingly minor plumbing problems can become more serious. Here’s how.

Dripping Faucet

If that faulty washer that’s allowing a little bit of water to leak through completely wears off due to neglect, that drip can become a much more serious repair job, requiring more extensive and costly work from your plumber to fix.

Low Water Pressure

If you have a low water pressure problem due to aerator buildup, your low water problem may soon become a no water problem, which will be a serious emergency. If your low water pressure is due to a faulty pipe, you may already have a plumbing emergency and not even know it.

Running Toilet

If your running toilet is due to sediment buildup or a leak, the problem may worsen to the point that the toilet doesn’t work at all, which most people would agree is a serious emergency.

Leaky Pipes and Clogged Drains

These are both problems that may start out as minor inconveniences, like a clogged kitchen drain pipe, but which can lead to burst pipes or a complete blockage of your plumbing system, which could be a catastrophic emergency. This is a case where some basic maintenance early on can save you countless headaches further on down the road.

Protect Yourself From a Plumbing Emergency With a Regular Maintenance Service Plan

You should be aware that you can avoid a lot of plumbing emergencies by signing up for a regular plumbing maintenance service plan to ward off the need for an emergency plumber. Chester County and Lancaster County residents can get such a maintenance plan from Summers and Zim’s, the leading source for an emergency plumber, as well as emergency heating system and AC repair in Chester County and the surrounding areas.

We insist on hiring only the most highly skilled professionals in the areas of plumbing maintenance and repair, as well as boiler, AC, heat pump and emergency service repair in Lancaster County and similar locations in PA.

Should you encounter a plumbing emergency, Summers and Zim’s also offers 24/7 Emergency Service. Just call (610) 593-5129 and we’ll be over as soon as possible to handle just about any plumbing problem you’re likely to have. With over 85 years of experience, you can be confident you’re in good hands.

To schedule a service appointment or learn more about setting up a regular plumbing maintenance service plan, contact Summers and Zim’s today.