When Should You Call An Emergency Plumber?

If you require the services of an emergency plumber, you’ll know immediately since it’ll often be a fairly big problem. Either a leak has occurred, and you’re getting water where you shouldn’t, or another issue has occurred. We’ve put together a few tips on what to do depending on your problem. Water leaks and blockages can cause severe damage to your home and personal belongings, as well as damage to internal pipework. These are all costly and inconvenient things to repair and will result in an unpleasant home. At M Plumbing, we have Emergency Plumbers available 24/7, 365 days a year, for any emergency, repair or plumbing service you need.

If you have a plumbing emergency, you want to make sure that you contact the right plumber. Many issues can arise with your plumbing system, and knowing when to call an emergency plumber is essential. Here are some of the most common reasons to call an emergency plumber:

You have a burst pipe or leaking pipe – Burst pipes and leaking pipes can cause extensive damage to your property if not repaired immediately. Water can leak into other home areas when this happens, leading to mould growth and significant structural damage. If you notice these issues in your home, it is best to call an emergency plumber immediately so they can come out and repair them before further damage occurs.

You notice sewage backing up into your sink or toilet – This is another problem that needs immediate attention because it can worsen if not addressed immediately. Sewage backing up into sinks and toilets is usually caused by clogs in drains or sewer lines which can lead to serious health issues if not immediately fixed. Calling an emergency plumber is necessary if this happens at night or on weekends when most businesses are closed.

Frozen Pipes – Should I Call An Emergency Plumber?

Freezing temperatures can be dangerous for your plumbing, especially if you live in an area that has experienced record lows this season.

Frozen pipes are the most common plumbing emergency during winter because they can occur when faucets or water lines are left running and then freeze. They can also occur if you have an older home with thin walls and little insulation, which allows cold air to seep through.

If you notice your pipes are frozen, don’t panic! Here are some tips to help you prevent damage:

• Check your water heater’s temperature to ensure it’s above freezing (around 50 degrees). If not, turn off the water supply and drain the tank. Then turn off the breaker or shut off the valve at the main panel. Call a professional plumber who can safely shut off power at the main panel box outside if it’s an electric heater with a risk of electrocution from turning off the power.
• Check all exposed pipes in your home for signs of ice buildup, including those under sinks and toilets and those in attics or crawl spaces. Clear away any ice buildup and open faucets until water runs freely from them (without the tap dripping).

Frozen pipes in freezing weather can cause you a lot of problems. Not only will you have no running water, but if it isn’t resolved quickly, it can cause your pipes to crack or burst. This can cause massive amounts of flooding/leaks if it’s not caught early. If you think your water pipes are freezing, you should act quickly. If they become fully frozen, it is more likely to burst and leak when they unfreeze and the water starts running again. It’s always advisable to turn off your water and electric supply at the mains if this happens.

A frozen pipe won’t always crack but needs to thaw out to reduce the likelihood of it happening. Keeping your heating on is a good idea if you are away during freezing weather. This will help to prevent your pipes from freezing. Burst pipes can cause a considerable amount of mess & damage to your home, costing massive amounts to repair depending on how long the damage is left. Good emergency plumbers will have the experience of defrosting any pipes affected slowly, and they can also insulate them to prevent further freezing.

Burst Pipes

If a water pipe bursts, shut off your water & electricity at the mains immediately. Call an emergency plumber as soon as possible, as you don’t want the issue to worsen. Start clearing the flooded area as quickly as you can minimise the damage. Water can cause considerable damage to your floors, cupboards, walls and belongings if left to sit. The longer water is left, the worse it will get, so the quicker you clear it up, the better. Whilst you wait for your plumber to arrive, lay down dry towels where the water has leaked, replacing them as they get wet as the leak may continue.

Emergency plumbers will quickly establish where the leak is and be able to repair it to prevent further damage. Sometimes, your pipes crack and only release a small amount of water. Although this sounds like a non-issue, if you’re unaware, it can cause long-term damage underneath your flooring, behind cupboards and walls, resulting in stains, smells and warping.

The amount of water from a burst pipe can damage property, ruin furniture, and cause injury. The best way to prevent this damage is to catch the leak before it happens.

Check your pipes regularly for leaks. Look in areas with high water pressure, such as near sinks and toilets. Listen for gurgling sounds that indicate a leak has occurred under the surface of the pipe. If you hear these sounds, contact a plumber immediately because even small leaks can lead to more significant problems later on down the line.

If you notice any discolouration or stains on your walls or floors, this could indicate a leak somewhere nearby. Check all your appliances and fixtures for leaks; dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines and dryers are common culprits for leaks in residential buildings.

When replacing an appliance or fixture with an older model, ensure you get one with an automatic shut-off valve installed near the entry point into your home’s main water supply line.

How can you identify a slow water leak?

• Watermarks appearing on your flooring, walls, cupboards or skirting boards
• Standing water or puddles in cupboards, your kitchen, bathroom or other areas of your home
• Drips of water in cupboards in your bathroom or kitchen.
• Water discolouration
• Strange odours coming from cupboards or different areas in your home, including airing cupboards
• Loss of water pressure from taps or showers

You should call an emergency plumber if you notice any of these things. Water pipes run behind walls and cupboards alongside electrical wiring. Turning off your water supply is a good idea if you’ve spotted a leak. You don’t want the leak to worsen the damage as you wait for your plumber. Small water leaks are often difficult to find, so you will nearly always need a plumber with the experience and tools to locate the leak quickly.

Blocked Drains

Blocked drains are a common problem that can cause severe damage to your home or business. You might think they’re just a minor annoyance, but they could be causing you significant problems. The fact is that blocked drains can cause flooding, which can lead to water damage, structural damage and even mould growth. Flooding can also lead to electrical hazards, which could cause fires.

If you’ve got a blocked drain, don’t ignore it! The longer you leave it, the more likely it will be that you’ll have severe problems as a result. Blocked drains are caused by several different things – fat and oil buildup from cooking and washing up to tree roots growing into the pipe work. Whatever the cause, you need an experienced plumber who can quickly unblock drains.

If your sink isn’t draining or the water is bubbling as it goes down, your drains are blocked. If this happens, you can try using shop products, but this won’t always solve the problem. Over time, blockages can slowly build up to the point where no amount of drain cleaner can help it. A lot of blocked drains start with a small blockage and will continue to get worse as time goes on, and the off-the-shelf unblockers won’t always do the job thoroughly enough, and you can end up with an overflow later down the line that can cause a lot of damage.

If you think you have a blocked drain, we advise you to call out a plumber. Blocked drains are difficult to sort if you don’t have the experience. A plumber has the experience and tools to locate the blockage and remove it permanently quickly.

Blocked Toilets

Blocked toilets can be a significant inconvenience, and when the water is flowing from the tap, it can be very frustrating. A blocked toilet is usually caused by a build-up of solid matter in the pipes. The most common cause is toilet paper or other fibrous materials that have been flushed down the toilet. Other items that may cause a blockage are sanitary products such as tampons, nappies and baby wipes.

• Check down the U-bend – Use a drain rod to push through any debris in the U-bend of your toilet. This will help clear any blockages and allow water to flow freely again.
• Use a drill – If a drain rod doesn’t work, try using a drill (plastic cable). Push it into the U-bend and turn it until you break up any blockages there.

Blocked toilets are relatively easy to notice. You’ll know if you have a blocked toilet if the toilet waste isn’t going down or the water rises every time you flush. If this is the case, you can use a plunger to try and dislodge the blockage. If this doesn’t work, call an emergency plumber who will come out quickly and know how to sort the problem, as the blockage could be in the pipework in the toilet or further down into the waste pipe.

M Plumbing

There are many reasons you might need an emergency plumber; in any of these situations, you should call one quickly before it becomes more of an issue. M Plumbing has Emergency Plumbers in Manchester, Wigan, Wilmslow, Bolton and the surrounding areas who are available 24/7, 365 days a year, for any emergency, repair or plumbing service you need. We can help you at a moment’s notice, regardless of the issue you’re facing. From blocked pipes to leaks & floods, we can do it all. Contact us today at 0161 660 7522 if you have an emergency or want a quote for non-urgent plumbing work or repairs. M Plumbing is proud to be a local company providing a professional service in Manchester.

Are you looking for an Emergency plumber in Bury? We cover all of Greater Manchester.