It is 11 pm, and you start to hear some dripping from behind your kitchen cupboards. Alternatively, you could wake up to find water all over your basement floor. Plumbing issues tend to happen at the worst times. If you don’t sort them out quickly, it can cause some serious damage. When you have a burst pipe, an overflowing toilet or wastewater coming back up your drains, getting an emergency plumber in Vaughan is key. In the meantime, knowing what to do can help reduce the amount of damage and therefore the cost of cleaning and repairs. As a homeowner in Vaughan, you could face a range of plumbing problems. From frozen pipes in the winter, overflowing basements due to heavy rain and sewer blockages. Knowing what to do in a plumbing emergency will help you know when to get help.
6 Plumbing Emergencies That Require Immediate Attention
Sometimes plumbing issues can be left for a day or two, however, it can be hard to tell which ones require immediate attention. Below are 6 scenarios that would benefit from getting a plumber in quickly:
1. Pipe Burst
A pipe burst can cause serious water damage issues very quickly. You may see water dripping from your ceiling, underneath your sink or all over your basement floor.
During the cold winter months in Vaughan, pipes in garages, external walls and unheated areas tend to be more likely to freeze. Old and corroded pipes can also crack unexpectedly.
Turn off the main water if you can safely do so. Move any furniture and valuables away from the issue and avoid using electrical appliances. Call a plumber who will locate and repair the damaged area.
2. Sewage Back-Up
One of the worst plumbing issues you can have is a sewage back-up. You may firstly notice an odd smell coming from your basement drain and shortly after wastewater coming back up your floor drain, toilet or shower.
This is usually due to a blockage or damage to your main sewer line. Common reasons for this include:
- Tree roots growing into the underground pipes.
- Build-up of grease and debris in the sewer line.
- Cracks or collapse in the sewer pipes.
- Items that can’t be flushed down the toilet causing stubborn blockages.
If you think you have a main sewer issue stop using any water in your home. Flushing toilets and using washing machines can send more wastewater through the line. A plumber can use a camera to investigate the sewer and identify whether it needs clearing, hydro jetting or repairing.
3. Overflowing Toilet
Having a toilet that won’t flush can be frustrating. However, having one that constantly fills and overflows is an emergency. The issue may be due to a blockage in the toilet trap. However, it can also be due to a bigger issue with your drains or sewers. Turn off the water to the toilet by using the shut-off valve at the bottom. Don’t flush the toilet repeatedly. If other drains are also slow, then it could be a main drain issue.
4. Flooded Basement or Sump Pump Failure
As a homeowner in Vaughan, you may worry about your basement flooding. This can happen during heavy rainfall. If your sump pump fails whilst the groundwater levels are high it can cause water to build up in the lowest part of your home. You may also notice your sump pump is making odd noises, constantly cycling, or there is water around your foundations. If your sump pump fails, don’t ignore it. If there is water getting into your basement: Avoid any areas with electrical outlets, appliances or wiring. Get a qualified professional to check your electricity. A plumber can come and investigate your sump pump, discharge pipe and drainage to identify why water isn’t being removed.
5. Frozen Water Pipe
During the cold winter months, water can freeze in your pipes that don’t have good insulation. This causes pressure to build up and eventually cause cracks. You may notice your taps aren’t producing much water or any at all. Sometimes the pipe won’t leak until the ice begins to melt. Never use a blow torch or open flame to defrost the pipe. If you think you have a frozen or damaged water line call a plumber to come and investigate.
6. Multiple Drains Not Working
If your kitchen sink, shower and basement floor drain all start to backup, it could be a bigger issue. Multiple slow drains usually means there is a blockage in your main drain/ sewer. Rather than clearing the blockage in each fixture, a plumber can investigate the main drain. This means they can identify the real issue and prevent you from paying for temporary fixes.
How Quickly Can An Emergency Plumber Be With You?
If your basement is flooding or you have a burst pipe, you’ll most likely want to know how quickly someone can be with you. How quickly they can be there will depend on:
- Where you are: This will affect how long it takes the plumber to get to you.
- Time of day: Calls made late at night, weekends and holidays may affect how quickly a technician can attend.
- Road conditions: In Vaughan road conditions can effect how quickly they can get there. Especially during the winter.
- Other emergencies: If a plumber is attending another large leak or sewer back-up it could affect how quickly they can get to you.
Whilst we offer a 24/7 service it doesn’t mean we can guarantee a set time frame for every call. When you call explain the issue you’re having. Tell them if there is active leaking, sewage back-up and how many fixtures are affected. Ask them how long they can be there. Vaughan Plumbing & Sewer offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services for homeowners and businesses with urgent drain, sewer and plumbing issues.
What To Do Whilst Waiting For A Plumber
You don’t need to attempt to fix the issue but there are a few things you can do to help prevent further damage.
- Turn off water: If there is a burst pipe or large leak turn off the main water if you can do so safely.
- Avoid using drains: If there is wastewater back-up don’t flush any toilets, turn taps on or use any water using appliances.
- Move items: Move any furniture, rugs, electronics and stored items away from the issue if you can.
- Avoid electrical dangers: Never enter any water.
- Take some photos: If you can, take some photos of the damage. This can help when discussing the repairs or making an insurance claim.
Most importantly, don’t try to do any complicated fixes. Doing a temporary fix without addressing the real issue can make matters worse.
Why Using A Local Plumber In Vaughan Is Beneficial
If your pipe has burst at midnight, you don’t want to waste time looking for a company that actually covers your area. Using a local plumbing team means communication and organization will be easier. We are based in Vaughan and understand the residential properties in the area and common drainage issues. There are also a few other benefits:
- Local knowledge: Every property will have a different plumbing setup. By knowing the homes in the area, a plumber can understand common issues. However, all repairs will need to be properly investigated.
- Easy communication: You will be able to talk directly to the team providing you with the service. They will be able to understand the issue and give you an estimate of when they can be with you.
- Good advice on repairs: A good plumber will not just clear your blockage and move on. If your drain keeps backing up, they may need to investigate the pipe.
- Transparent pricing: You don’t want any unexpected costs during an emergency. Ask about any investigation costs, out of hours costs and repair costs.
Vaughan Plumbing & Sewer is a community focused plumbing team offering 24/7 emergency plumbing services for local homes and businesses. We offer transparent pricing and solutions based on the actual state of your plumbing.
What Will Happen When You Call Vaughan Plumbing & Sewer?
You don’t need to know if you need hydro jetting, sewer camera or pipe replacement, as we will investigate. Generally:
- Explain the issue: Let us know what the issue is, where you are and if there is active water/sewage.
- Book an emergency visit: We will organize a plumber to come out and give you an estimated time frame.
- Investigate the issue: The plumber will investigate the issue with the pipes, drains or sewer.
- Discuss the repairs: We will discuss the repairs with you and what they will cost.
- Complete the plumbing: Once the repairs have been approved the plumbing will be investigated.
Need Emergency Plumbing Services In Vaughan? Call Us Anytime!
Having a burst pipe, blocked sewer or flooded basement can be stressful. You don’t want to worry about where to get help. Vaughan Plumbing & Sewer offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services. We provide professional drain cleaning, sewer line repairs, camera investigations, hydro jetting and sump pump services. No matter what time you have an issue, we can come out and investigate before any further damage occurs.
Give us a call on (647) 547-2440 for emergency plumbing services in Vaughan.
