Preventing plumbing emergencies: where to look and what to look for

Sometimes, plumbing emergencies just happen. They happen to the best of us. They even happen to people with plumbing expertise.

(Yes, even plumbers have plumbing problems!)

That doesn’t mean you should just stop paying attention to your plumbing though, because – while everyone needs emergency plumbing service at some point – what you do before the emergency, and the speed at which you catch it, will have a huge impact on how disruptive (and expensive!) the emergency ends up being.

With the right knowledge, you’ll be able to prevent minor plumbing problems from turning into major plumbing disasters.

Ready to look at your plumbing fixtures like an expert plumber? Let’s dive straight in!

Toilets

Of all the different things in your home that use plumbing regularly, research shows that toilets are the most likely to have a plumbing emergency and cause serious damage to your home. Here are some things that you can do to ensure that your toilet works properly and hopefully prevent the need for major toilet repairs:

• Watch out for changes to your toilet’s normal performance, especially if there’s been no reason for slow drainage or unusual smells.
• Be sure that, if there’s ever a plumbing emergency related to or caused by the toilet, you know where and how to shut off the water. Typically, there’s a water shutoff valve located beside or behind the back of the toilet base.
• Check the parts of your toilet that make it work properly on a regular basis. When you remove the back of the toilet there are four parts, the fill valve, the flapper, the handle and the chain. If you have never observed them before, remove the back of the toilet and flush it to see how they work. Check them periodically to ensure that they’re in proper working order.
• Sometimes the toilet will run continuously. It will sound as though it is constantly filling itself up. This is usually because the flapper is in need of replacement. If this happens, and it’s not a repair you’re comfortable doing on your own, make sure you get our technicians at Hillcrest Plumbing to fix it right away.

Sinks

Another source of expensive plumbing repairs can be the water supply connections to a sink. There are a few things to look for to ensure that your sink’s connections are working the way they should be:

• Look for leaks! And not just drops or streams of water, either — by then, your floors of sink cabinetry have probably already been damaged. Instead, periodically check under the sink at and below the connectors. Watch out for water spots that can indicate a slow drip, or even just corrosion on the pipes that might have been caused by excess moisture.
• Check the lines to ensure that there aren’t any kinks in them if the lines are copper or plastic.
• Locate and check the functionality of your shut off valve. It is important to know where the shut off valve is located and also to test it periodically to ensure that it moves freely and is easily operated in the event of a plumbing mishap.

Water Heaters

Did you know that most water heaters will burst or leak before the expected life of the product has expired?

With these containers often holding just shy of 175 litres of water, they can certainly do a lot of damage. The following are some preventative measures that will help prolong the life of your water heater and prevent major damage from being caused by a leak or burst.

• Sediment will start to build up in the tank of your water heater, especially if you live in an area where the mineral content is high. The best way to ensure that these things don’t become a problem is to drain the sediment at least twice per year to keep the build up at minimal levels.
• Also: it’s a good idea to have professional water heater inspection and servicing done at least once every two to three years.
• Your water heater has a pressure release valve that should be activated twice a year as well to ensure that, should the need for it arise, it’s ready to be used.

Washing Machines

Water connects from the source to your washing machine through the use of flexible water hoses that are often the source of leaks when it comes to washing machines.

This is one thing that insurance companies are particularly aware of and, as such, they provide a list of guidelines and recommendations as to how these hoses can be properly wrapped so as to prevent significant damage that can be caused by these things leaking.

• Turning off the water supply valve when the washing machine is not in use is a great way to prevent large leaks, especially when you’re going to be away from the home for extended periods of time. There’s a lever type of valve that can be installed to allow for easier operation turning it on and off.
• Another way to prevent plumbing emergencies is to make sure that the machine is only on when you’re home. That way, if something were to malfunction, someone would be there to find it and shut the water off before it caused extensive damage.
• Always ensure that there is enough space between the wall and the machine. If you see kinks in any of the hoses, that’s a sign that you need to move the machine further away from the wall.
• Periodically examine behind the washing machine for signs of leaking water on the floor.
• Examine the hoses periodically and check for leaks or cracks in the hoses. If you see any, it’s time to replace them. In general, hoses should be replaced every six months to ensure that they’re not being affected by wear and tear that could potentially lead to a larger problem.
• Make sure that the connectors to the hoses and the faucet are tight, but not too tight. They should take effort to twist, but if you need to use a wrench or specialty tool to unfasten the connectors, they’re too tight.

Sump Pumps

Basements, being the lowest point in the home, are the most susceptible to the damage that can be caused by a flood.

Sump pumps serve as the best defense against the damage that can be caused by flooding. These easy steps can help to keep your sump pump in excellent operating condition.

• Regularly remove the lid to the sump pump and check for debris and things that could cause clogging in your system.
• Periodically inspect the discharge pipe to ensure that it is clear from debris and things that can cause clogging.
• Test the sump pump regularly by pouring a significant amount of water – at least 20 litres, typically – into it and making sure that the float inside rises.

Leaky Pipes

Leaks are going to be found most often in the areas that have the most frequent and largest amounts of water. The likely suspects are going to be in the kitchen or the bathroom. However, just as common are the leaks that happen beneath the surface under the foundation of a home, or even in basements and crawl spaces.

There are a few key indicators that you might have a water leak in your home. Some are quite common, while others you may not know to look out for.

• Often when you have a leak you might experience a subtle or even a drastic increase in your water bill.
• You might smell or even be able to see signs of mold or mildew forming in areas that are hard to reach or that provide an optimal environment for these types of things to start growing.
• Bubbles in paint or wallpaper are a good indicator that something wet is seeping through or trying to on the other side.
• Ceilings may start to sag or warp when water has been pooling in a particular area for any length of time. This is especially common for homes that have a flat roof.
• Flooring might start to sag or crack too, which is also a good indicator. Often, there is a musty or an earthy smell that might be hard to get rid of. You may even find that there are muddy or damp patches in the yard or around the home that appear to be wet.

It’s not just about avoiding water damage!

When most people think about plumbing problems, their first thought is “oh no, this is going to cost a lot of money to fix.”

That’s an important consideration, but it also doesn’t acknowledge the very real health risks that plumbing issues can cause as well, especially over the long term. The biggest culprit? Mold.

Unseen plumbing failures can create the right conditions for mold to thrive. Inhaling certain kinds of mold can be dangerous, and even deadly.

Mold exposure can lead to anything from common headaches and dizziness all the way to respiratory issues that can lead to death. It can also exacerbate existing allergy problems and even cause new ones to develop.

Mold’s resilience makes it an especially major nuisance. Once the mold has begun growing on drywall, the affected areas almost always need to be entirely replaced. If the mold growth is widespread enough, it can result in the need for major renovations or – in the worst case – total demolition of the home.

Be proactive about prevention and repairs

Make checking for issues part of your seasonal to-dos. Fix potential issues as soon as you find them.

As long as you follow those two guidelines, you’ll be in good shape when it comes to preventing major plumbing emergencies.

The best part is that, by being proactive, a lot of problems can be solved as DIY projects or with inexpensive professional plumbing repairs.

Getting hands-on with your plumbing can help you understand how things work in your home, and – if you run into a challenge that you’re just not comfortable, you can always get our experts to take over for you.

There’s no pressure – you can contact us just to find out how much a project will cost and how long it’ll take. It’s as easy as contacting us online or calling us at (604) 879-1415 for a free, no-obligation quote.