Small Leaks or Big Leaks or Clogs
Do you need a plumber? This is one of life’s great questions. As a homeowner or business owner, you don’t want to go to all the effort of calling a professional when the fix is a simple one (you feel a little silly standing there as the plumber removes the problem in seconds!). On other occasions, a plumber in Sydney will need to use their expertise, years of experience, and advanced equipment.
Is a small leak worth the attention of a professional plumber? While you might not think so, one drop per second can mean that you’re wasting seven gallons every single day. You might not notice because you’re allowing it to drip into a bucket or a safe place, but it’s hurting both your home and your wallet. On the other hand, a larger leak can waste hundreds of gallons per day.
Unfortunately, those who decide to leave small leaks often must deal with larger repairs in the future because the problem only ever gets worse. Though we like to think that we have magical toilets and pipes, leaks don’t fix themselves. Therefore, the repair is only going to get more expensive over time.
Over the years, lots of homeowners have left minor leaks only to watch them go on to burst pipes. Similarly, you should obviously contact a professional if your home is experiencing big leaks or clogs. Once again, professional assistance could prevent turning a leak fix into a flood recovery (the last thing you need!).
When Does a Plumbing Problem Turn into an Emergency?
For small leaks, you might find a simple fix like pipe sealant, small tweaks with the toilet, or a tightening of certain fixtures. If you’ve done a sweep of your home and can’t seem to find the cause of the problem, it’s time to call a professional, if only to prevent walking in after a long day at work and being greeted by a flood.
When it comes to your toilet, it’s best to contact a professional plumber in any of the following situations:
- Leaks at the base of the toilet
- Loose contact with the floor
- Changes in running water
- Blocked or overflowing toilet
- Slower refill than normal (persistently)
- Poor flushing
- Constant flowing water sound
What about away from the toilet? Perhaps the most obvious example of a plumbing problem turning into an emergency is flooding. Homeowners can generally put up with a couple of drips per day, but flooding in the home is another matter. The longer that flooding is present in your home, the more it will soak into furniture, fittings, and other parts of the room. If not dealt with properly, you could be susceptible to mildew and mould.
Other problems that require emergency attention include the faucets failing to turn off, no running water in the property, murky or otherwise affected water, and burst pipes. Additionally, keep an eye out for a sewer line leak, gas odours, or an alert from a gas alarm.
As you probably know, the word ‘leak’ doesn’t just refer to water, and a professional plumber can help to locate and remedy a gas problem in your home. In some ways, this is even more critical than repairing a water problem because gas can cause headaches, dizziness, vomiting, and even death when untreated. Sadly, this is because oxygen isn’t carried to the brain effectively.
Whether a small leak, big leak, or clog, get the issue fixed before it causes larger problems for your property (and bank account!).
