Emergency plumbing situations can be a nightmare, but unfortunately, they are not uncommon. For Calgary residents, hard water levels from the Bow and Elbow Rivers can build up in pipes and fixtures, causing more plumbing problems. An emergency is just that – an emergency. During an emergency plumbing situation, you will need to turn off your water and call a plumber right away.
Table of Contents
In this post, we’re going to discuss what constitutes an emergency plumbing situation and how Calgary homeowners can get immediate help.
What qualifies as an emergency plumbing situation in Calgary?
Minor plumbing issues happen occasionally and you don’t need to panic when you run into a small problem. (However, minor issues can turn into major issues quickly, so don’t delay getting these fixed either!) How do you know if you need immediate help? Try asking yourself these questions:
- Does the situation pose a health or safety risk to me and my family?
- Could the situation cause significant damage to my home or property?
If you answered “yes” to either question, you have an emergency situation on your hands.
The following situations are considered plumbing emergencies that require immediate attention:
1. Sewage Backup
A sewer backup occurs when wastewater can’t drain properly and backs up into your home. Raw sewage is a serious health hazard. Sewage backup can release contaminants into the air, causing issues like headaches, nausea, dizziness, fever, and respiratory issues.
2. Burst Pipe
A burst pipe that results in flooding can cause serious damage to your home in a short amount of time. Pipes can burst for various reasons, including corrosion, wear and tear, freezing temperatures, tree roots, or clogs that restrict water flow and increase pressure. Sometimes a leaky faucet that goes unnoticed or unchecked can lead to an emergency like a burst pipe, which is why it’s important to deal with minor issues before they become serious.
3. Frozen Pipes
As a Calgary resident, you are no stranger to freezing temperatures. Water that freezes inside a pipe will expand, often causing cracks and flooding once it thaws. This can lead to excessive property damage or structural damage to your home.
4. Gas Leaks
If you smell gas (a sulfurous odor) or believe you may have a gas leak, evacuate your home immediately and call for help. Gas leaks are incredibly dangerous and can put your home at risk of explosion or cause deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
5. Clogs
You may not consider a clog an emergency, but even small clogs can lead to water damage, burst pipes, or sewage backups when not remedied immediately. If you have a clog in a drain or your toilet, it can impact your daily activities like cooking, cleaning, or basic hygiene. You may be able to fix a small clog yourself with a plunger but be careful when using harsh chemicals to unclog your drains. These store-bought products can corrode and damage your pipes, causing more issues. Recurring clogs might mean your pipes are damaged.
6. Water Heater Issues
Most homeowners would consider living without hot water to be an emergency, but issues with your water heater can be more serious than that. Cracks or leaks in your water heater can lead to flooding and, in rare cases, can be a sign of water pressure building up inside the tank which can lead to an explosion.
What should I do in an emergency plumbing situation?
If you find yourself in any of these or other emergency plumbing situations, you will need immediate help. Follow these steps:
- Shut Off Your Water Supply – Every homeowner should know the location of their water shut-off valve. It’s usually in your basement or crawlspace on the exterior wall of your home where the water line enters your home. It could also be located outdoors near your water meter. During an emergency, shut off the water immediately to avoid more damage to your home or property.
- Turn Off Your Water Heater – It’s always a good idea to turn off your water heater during a plumbing emergency, even if the water heater isn’t the issue.
- Call an Emergency Plumber – Ideally, you will have the contact information for a reliable plumber BEFORE you run into an emergency. Ask friends and family for referrals, read customer reviews, and do research so you know the company you choose can provide fast, quality service.
- Attempt to Cleanup – When possible, use absorbent rags, towels, buckets, or mops to clean up any mess that may cause damage to your home. It can help to keep an emergency stash of cleaning supplies ready for this type of situation. Turn off any electrical appliances near leaks. However, NEVER attempt to clean up a mess if your health and safety are in danger.
At Mr. Mike’s Plumbing in Calgary, we offer 24/7 Emergency Services, 365 days a year. If you are experiencing a plumbing emergency and need immediate help, call us at (403) 356-4094.
