How to Deal With a Plumbing Emergency?

When it comes to emergencies, few can match the urgency of a plumbing crisis. As the water begins to flood your workplace or home, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed with panic. While most people might advise you not to panic, we understand how difficult that can be in the face of a plumbing emergency. Seeing water gushing from pipes or an overflowing toilet can trigger worries about damage to your property. 

Feeling upset and confused is normal, but swift action is crucial. 

When a plumbing emergency strikes, there are a few things you can do to minimize the damage and assist the plumber in their job.

plumbing emergencies

Examples of Plumbing Emergencies

A plumbing emergency can occur unexpectedly, leaving you anxious and uncertain. To put your mind at ease, here are situations that warrant an immediate call to a plumber:

  • Persistent clogs that you cannot clear
  • Unmanageable leaks that you cannot locate or fix independently
  • Noisy or leaking water heater
  • Unexplained water stains on walls, ceilings, or floors
  • The sound of running water when no fixtures are in use
  • Accumulating water beneath sinks
  • Overflowing toilets
  • Malfunctioning sump pumps

It’s essential to seek prompt assistance from a residential plumbing company or a commercial plumbing contractor as soon as you detect these problems since they can lead to costly and substantial water damage within your home.

examples of plumbing emergencies

Here are 11 Simple Steps You Can Take to Deal With a Plumbing Emergency

Here are some steps you can take during a plumbing emergency:

  1. Turn off the water supply: The first thing you should do is shut off the water to control the situation and prevent further damage. Locate the water supply valve, and turn it off. If the water is coming from a specific source, such as a sink or toilet, shut off the valve at the base of the fixture. If it’s a larger flood, you will need to turn off the main water valve.
  2. Asees Damages: Assess any damages before contacting a plumber. Providing accurate information about the issue will be crucial in solving the emergency. In case of a gas leak, open windows and doors and turn off the gas main. Do not block any exits, as this could lead to a dangerous gas buildup. Also, check for any electrical hazards and shut off the power using the circuit breaker, but avoid doing so if the electrical box is affected by the leak.
  3. Take Photos: Take photos or videos of the problem as evidence for your insurance provider and the plumber. Take additional photos after the situation has been handled.
  4. Call local water company: Consider contacting your local water company, as they may be able to provide assistance or dispatch a plumber to fix any problems with the sewer main or water line. They may also provide helpful tips for dealing with emergencies.
  5. Turn off the water heater: After turning off the main water valve, turn off the building’s hot water heater to avoid damage. When the water control valve is turned off, pressure and heat can build up in the hot water heater, leading to bursting or overheating. Make sure the gas line is turned off if you have a gas water heater.
  6. Move electronics and valuables: Remove all electronics and valuables from the flooded area quickly to prevent water damage. Move appliances, computers, televisions, furniture, rugs, and art away from the water source.
  7. Tackle small leaks: If you notice small leaks, stop them as quickly as possible to prevent further damage. Use plumber’s tape or rags, towels, and buckets to control the leak until your plumber arrives.
  8. Manage a burst pipe: If you have a burst, collapsed, or broken pipe, shut off the main water valve, and call your plumber. You can also turn off the pipe’s source valve if possible to isolate the damage.
  9. Check for clogged drains: Call your plumber if you have a clogged drain instead of attempting a DIY repair with toxic chemical cleaners that can harm pipes.
  10. Open the drains and spigots: To minimize flooding and isolate leaks, turn on any outdoor fixtures to redirect water away from your building.
  11. Call your plumber for emergency services: Get in touch with a certified plumber to examine and fix any plumbing problems, prevent additional water damage, and reinstate the regular water supply. Avoid DIY repairs, which can cause more damage and lead to expensive emergency repairs. 

Fix Your Leaky Toilets With These Easy Methods

A leaky toilet can be an annoyance in any household, and it is important to fix the problem as soon as possible to prevent water wastage and further damage to your plumbing system. There are several ways to fix a leaky toilet, and in this article, we will discuss the best methods and tips to ensure a successful repair.

Identify the Source of Your Leaking Toilet

First and foremost, it is important to identify the source of the leak. The most common cause of a leaky toilet is a faulty flapper valve, which regulates water flow from the tank to the bowl. Over time, the flapper valve can become worn out, causing it not to create a proper seal and allowing water to leak into the bowl.

To fix this issue, the flapper valve should be replaced with a new one. A homeowner can do this simple and inexpensive repair with basic plumbing skills. You can purchase a new flapper valve at your local hardware store or online, and it should come with instructions on how to install it. Before starting the repair, make sure to turn off the water supply and flush your toilet to drain any water from the tank.

Check Your Toilet’s Fill Valve

A faulty fill valve can also cause leaky toilets. 

The fill valve is responsible for refilling the toilet tank after each flush, and if it is not functioning properly, it can cause the tank to fill with water, leading to a continuous leak. If you suspect the fill valve is the problem, it should be replaced with a new one.

Replacing the fill valve can be a bit more complicated than replacing the flapper valve, so it may be best to contact a professional plumber for this repair. Residential plumbers have the necessary skills and plumbing tools to quickly and efficiently replace the fill valve and ensure your toilet functions properly.

Fix the Loose Tank of Your Toilet

In addition to replacing faulty parts, there are other steps that can be taken to prevent a leaky toilet. One of the most important is to ensure that the toilet tank is properly secured to the bowl. If the tank is loose, it can cause water to leak around the base of your toilet. 

To fix this issue, tighten the bolts that secure the tank to the bowl, being careful not to overtighten and crack the porcelain.

fix leaking toilets

Wear and Tear Can Cause Leaky Toilets

Another way to prevent leaks is to regularly inspect the toilet for any signs of wear and tear. Check the flapper valve and fill valve for signs of damage or wear, and replace them if necessary. Look for cracks or other damage to the porcelain bowl or tank, which can also cause leaks. By catching these issues early, you can prevent more serious plumbing problems.

Be Careful With What You Flush

Finally, it is important to careful with what you flush down the toilet. Flushing items such as paper towels, feminine hygiene products, or other non-flushable items can cause clogs in your plumbing system, leading to leaks or other issues. Ensure that only toilet paper and human waste are flushed down the toilet, and dispose of other items in the trash.

Fix Your Leaking Toilet Now!

In conclusion, a leaky toilet can be a frustrating and wasteful problem, but it can be easily fixed with the right knowledge and tools. By identifying the source of the leak and replacing any faulty parts, securing the tank to the bowl, regularly inspecting the toilet for wear and tear, and being mindful of what you flush, you can prevent leaks and keep your plumbing system functioning properly.

 If you need help fixing a leaky toilet or if the problem persists, contact a residential plumber for assistance. They can quickly diagnose the issue and provide a professional repair to get your toilet back in working order.

Common Causes of Low Water Pressure in the Shower – How to Solve Them?

Nobody wishes to shower with so much water pressure that it feels like a hydro-jetting session, but it also shouldn’t be so low that you question if any water is coming out. So, what is the source of low water pressure?

Low water pressure in the shower is one of many residential plumbing issues that may occur for various reasons, but determining the source of the problem can be difficult. If you have low water pressure in one section of your house or commercial facility, it is easy to determine the source of the problem.

If there is low water pressure throughout your home or building, it might be an indication of a larger plumbing problem.

Although you will learn how to solve low water pressure problems in your shower, it is better to contact a professional residential plumbing company or a plumber and let them fix your problem.

reasons for low water pressure

What Might Cause Low Water Pressure in the Shower and Generally?

While blockages or other drain obstructions are one of the most prevalent causes of low water pressure in the shower and the house, there are additional reasons why you may be experiencing low water pressure:

  • Municipal issues
  • Changing regulations
  • Shutoff valve problems
  • Defective pressure regulators
  • Old pipes
  • Water-saving devices
  • Water filters
  • Aerator buildup
  • Fixture problems
  • Leaky pipes

1. Municipal water problems

Your property or its pipes may not cause a problem with the water pressure; a municipal water supply issue might cause it. Whether you’re friends with your neighbors, ask if they’re having the same problem; if so, it’s a good likelihood this is the issue.

Solution

The solution is to contact your water supplier. Contacting them may alert them to the problem or reveal that they are already working to resolve it.

municipal water problems

2. Changing city regulations

Although you should have been informed, the city has likely modified its water pressure rules (if so, your water supplier’s options are limited).

Solution

The solution: You have two choices: cope with it or get a water booster system. It’s a good idea to have one of these installed by a plumber.

3. The house shutoff valve isn’t fully open

Have you recently had any plumbing work done in the house? Perhaps the home cutoff valve, or stop cock, was temporarily closed while work was being done and never fully reopened. The water shutdown valve must be completely open to ensure adequate water pressure.

This valve may be found outside or inside your home, where the main city water pipe enters your residence. The handle will resemble the one used to turn on the hose.

Learn about other plumbing water valves.

Solution

To ensure that the valve is fully open, turn it counterclockwise to the extent that it will go; if the handle resembles a lever, ensure that it is parallel to the pipe.

open shut off valve

4. Defective pressure regulator

The pressure regulator regulates the input pressure of your plumbing system to make it safe and prevent piping damage. A faulty regulator can cause both an increase and sudden low water pressure in the shower and all fixtures in your house or building.

Solution

The solution is to double-check the PSI (pounds per square inch) setting. The majority should be set to 50 PSI, but your water pressure will also seem low if yours is set lower. If the PSI is wrong, ask a plumber to get a replacement regulator.

5. Using old steel pipes might cause low water pressure in the shower

Repairing old galvanized pipes is a costly endeavor. Certain pipe materials corrode faster than others over time, resulting in mineral accumulation and low water pressure in the shower.

If you’re unsure how old your plumbing system is or what material your pipes are constructed of, you should have it inspected as soon as possible. Certain pipe materials are no longer in compliance with the construction rules and have become outdated.

Learn more about other types of plumbing pipes.

Solution

The solution: Hire a plumber to check your pipes and give advice on how to remedy the problem.

old plumbing pipes

6. Water-saving devices

While beneficial to the environment, water-saving equipment such as low-flow faucets and showerheads are detrimental to water pressure.

Solution

If you already have one and are experiencing low water pressure in the shower, you may need to replace it with a standard faucet or showerhead.

7. Poor or malfunctioning water filters and softeners

When not performing optimally, water filters can significantly reduce home water pressure. The same is true for water softeners used in many local houses due to hard water.

Solution

The fix: Replace the unit’s filter or softener (occasionally, the entire unit needs to be replaced, but you should generally start with a new filter or softener).

water filters for home

8. Aerator buildup

Low water pressure in the shower might be caused by mineral or rust accumulation in the aerator (which affects the amount of water coming from your faucet without affecting the pressure).

Solution

To fix low water pressure by buildup, remove the aerator and inspect it to determine if it needs to be cleaned. Scrub it well before replacing it to discover if it was the source of your problem.

aerator buildup

9. Faulty fixtures can cause low water pressure in the shower

It is not unusual for fittings to become blocked due to dirt or mineral accumulation. The solution is to remove the fixture and clean it.

Solution

Because fixtures are quite inexpensive, you may want just to replace them.

10. Leaky pipes can cause low water pressure in the shower

If none of these factors leads to low water pressure, it might be due to a simple leak. Water leaking from your pipes means less water reaches your showerhead or other home and building fittings.

Solution

The solution: Request an examination from your plumber to pinpoint the cause of the leaks. Or, you can fix it by using pipe leak tape.

12 Must-Know Types of Plumbing Water Valves – Best Guide

Water is the element of life, purity, and health. None of us can survive and stay healthy without clean water. So, that is why plumbers started creating systems for us to have access to water supply 24/7 without having any problems. Plumbers and engineers design and install systems and provide residential plumbing services to help us have a better and easier life. But what are the main components of these systems? The answer to this question is exceptionally vast. Thus, we decided to focus on today’s different types of plumbing water valves. You can always visit our blogs to learn NEW exciting things about plumbers and plumbing systems.

most common plumbing water valves

What are Plumbing Water Valves?

Plumbing water valves are created to partially or entirely restrict water flow through your home’s pipes. These valves are also used in commercial plumbing systems.

Plumbing water valves come in a range of various styles and types, depending primarily on how and where they will be used. This means that maybe a specific part of your system will require a form of a simple faucet valve to stop the water flow through the faucet. On the other hand, another section can require more involved plumbing water valves, such as a butterfly valve designed to be used on larger diameter piping used mainly in industrial plumbing designs.

The List of Most Important Water Valves You Need to Know

Differentiating various types of plumbing water valves can be difficult at first. Still, by learning each one individually, you can better understand the designs and uses of each water valve.

Let’s get to the real deal now.

Gate Valves

1- Gate Valves are The Most Common Plumbing Water Valves

Plumbers definitely use gate valves for their residential plumbing services. These types of plumbing water valves allow residents to control water flow instead of switching between open and closed positions.

Due to the controlled open and close mechanism of gate water valves, these plumbing valves are perfect for homes that experience recurring water hammer issues.

Ball Valves

2- Ball Valves are Popular Plumbing Water Valves

The second most common plumbing water valves are the ball valves. These water valves are reliable and are not prone to seizing or leaning. However, it would be best if you remembered that they do not offer the same accurate control over the water flow over time.

These water valves are widely used in residential plumbing systems and consist of a lever that can be rotated 90 degrees. With this lever, you can control a hollow half-sphere within the valve.

Globe Water Valves

3- Globe Water Valves (Stop Valve)

These plumbing water valves are perfect for water lines that have larger diameters. Globe valves are more significant than gate residential plumbing valves due to their bulky internal structure.

Glob water valves have horizontal internal baffles with an opening that can be blocked or restricted by a plug that is lowered or raised by turning the valve handle.

These plumbing water valves are also suitable for users who want precise water flow control. So, they can be good alternatives to gate valves.

Butterfly Valves

4- Butterfly Valves are Perfect for Commercial Plumbing Systems

The name butterfly valves are because of the rotating disk in these plumbing water valves. The disk inside these valves has a thick center holding the valve stem and a thin wing or fin on either side, miming the butterfly’s appearance.

When you turn the control level of butterfly valves, what you actually do is that you rotate the disk and allow it to fully or partially restrict the water flow through the valve.

The best choice for water pipes with 3 inches or larger diameters is a butterfly water valve. This means that you can rarely find these plumbing water valves in home plumbing systems. Additionally, butterfly valves come at a higher price than other home plumbing valves due to their size and style.

Diaphragm Water Valves

5- Diaphragm Water Valves

Diaphragm water valves are used to limit the water flow in your piping and plumbing system. These plumbing water valves have a wheel or knob that you can use to close and open the valve for the water to flow freely.

By rotating the knob or wheel, you adjust the diaphragm for flow control.

Pressure Relief Valves

6- Pressure Relief Valves are Also Important Types of Plumbing Water Valves

Pressure relief valves do not function similarly to regular and standard water valves. These valves do not restrict or prevent water flow; instead, they protect the plumbing system by releasing steam and hot water if your system’s pressure exceeds the level it should be.

These types of plumbing water valves are generally used on hot water tanks to prevent overheating, deformation, and rupturing, which can be caused due to excessive pressure.

Pressure relief valves feature a spring mechanism that reacts to the compression and pressure when they get too high. The spring compression in these systems opens the valves to release water and steam, resulting in pressure reduction.

See water valve prices in Canada.

Check Valves - O Plus Plumbing Inc. | Leading Plumbing, Plumber & Drain Company in The Greater Toronto Area - Professional Plumbing & Drain In Toronto and GTA

7- Check Valves

Check valves are not as typical as other types of plumbing water valves, and they also do not have the same ability to control or stop the water flow. But you should still use check valves in your systems. On the other hand, check valves are crucial components of any plumbing system, whether commercial or residential.

Check valves are plumbing valves that are explicitly designed to allow water to rush through the inlet section of the valve. The force of the flowing water pushes open a hinged disk in the valve system, ensuring that the water pressure is not reduced. However, this hinged disk prevents the coming water from flowing through the valve in the exact opposite direction as the imparted forces on the disk push it closed.

The primary usage of check valves is for preventing backflow in all types of plumbing systems which can lead to cross-contamination issues between your residential plumbing fixtures and appliances.

So, now you can understand that check valves are the types of water plumbing valves that are best for backflow prevention in pumps, sprinkle systems, safety applications, and other residential plumbing systems that may be at risk of intermittent backflow damage.

Note: Backflow in plumbing systems occur when the pressure within the sprinkling system or water tank and a pump is lower than the pressure within the primary water system. This is where check valves play a crucial role in your plumbing system.

Supply Stop Valves

8- Supply Stop Valves

Supply stop valves are specialized water valves designed to be used with plumbing fixtures such as sinks, toilets, dishwashers, and more. These valves are called supply inlet or outlet valves and come in various types, including angles, straight, compression, and quarter turn. So, it is best to contact a professional plumber to see which type can be the best for your application.

You can find these valves on the toilet water supply lines, and they are generally used to stop the water flow to specific plumbing appliances. Supply stop valves also help plumbers isolate appliances and fixtures in your home to provide faster, easier, and better quality plumbing repairs and services.

Faucet Water Valves

9- Faucet Water Valves

Another specialized plumbing water valve is the faucet valve, which is available in a wide array of styles. However, the primary function of these valves is to allow you to control water flow through your faucets, shower, or tub.

Different Styles of Faucet Water Valves Include:

  • Ball valves: Simple mechanism used for turning the water on and off with little room.
  • Cartridge Valves: Mostly used for showers to control the water flow.
  • Ceramic Disc Valves: These valves consist of two ceramic disks that rotate against each other.
  • Compression Valves: These water valves utilize a rod and plug for sealing the valve seat.
  • Globe Valves: The good example of a compression valve.

Washer Water Valves

10- Washer Water Valves

Washer valves are common plumbing valves that are used for shutting off purposes. These water valves stop the water leakage and flow with a washer.

You can open and close washer valves by using a round handle. However, the problem with these water valves is that they usually wear out quickly and will not be able to properly shut off the water flow. When your valves wear out, you need to change them ASAP with a new one that has the correct size.

Plug Valves

11- Plug Valves

Plug water valves usually feature cylindrical plugs that allow you to control water flow by rotating in the valve’s body. When these water valves are open, the water flows through the plug, and the water flow is blocked when you close it.

You can open and close plug valves with a handle.

Needle Valves

12- Needle Valves are the Last Type of Plumbing Water Valves for Today

Needle valves are the last item in our complete list of the must-know types of plumbing water valves.

These plumbing valves have a small port and needle-shaped plunger, allowing the valve to have accurate and precise water flow regulations.

Needle water valves are usually used for applications that need a lower flow rate to maintain.