It’s difficult to imagine a situation in which a problem with your drain, septic tank, or sewer does not feel like an emergency. Nobody wants to have a clogged drain, a backed drain, a water leak, or a backed up sewer or septic tank. However, for purposes of hiring a plumber or plumbers to unclog or repair your drain or sewer line (or address any plumbing problem) it is important to evaluate when a true plumbing emergency exists.
There are some important questions you should ask yourself when your drain, septic tank or sewer are clogged or are not functioning properly. The first thing to ask yourself concerns the safety of yourself and your family. Is the issue causing flooding or damage to your home or property? Is your drain backing up and causing an unsanitary situation? Is your septic tank overflowing and polluting your yard? These constitute an all-out emergency and you need to hire an emergency plumber.
You should evaluate whether the water leak, drain back up, blocked drain or clogged sewer is putting articles of value at risk for being damaged. For example, if your toilet is leaking slowly and steadily and the water is clean you might conclude that, while a plumber is needed, there is no imminent risk to your health due to the plumbing problem. However, the water leak may constitute a plumbing emergency and require immediate attention from a plumber because water can damage your house and your property. Of course, if you notice a water leak you should first turn off the water, but that means you cannot use your toilet, sink, etc. until it is repaired or unclogged by a plumber.
This brings us to another point of consideration. Does waiting for the problem to be repaired mean that the item or area is completely unusable for a period of time. This is critical to consider and it can really impact your decision about whether an emergency plumber is needed or if you can possibly wait a few days to schedule repair by a plumber. If you live in a home with only one bathroom and the shower is backed up or seems to be clogged you might need to have it repaired with more urgency than if an infrequently used sink has a blocked drain.
You should try to get as much information as you can about the plumbing problem so that you can give a good description to your plumber. By calling 1-800-CLOG-MASTER you can find a skillful, reliable and honest plumber or plumbers who will help you evaluate when you have a true emergency on your hands. It is important to consult with a plumber about any clogged or blocked drains, water leaks, or drain, septic and sewer problems because sometimes problems that seem like no big deal can become much worse when they are not repaired by a qualified plumber.
If your plumber tells you that your clogged drain or septic problem is not an emergency, then you can schedule a regular appointment. Many plumbers also offer 24 hour emergency service for plumbing, drain, septic and sewer problems that need to be fixed immediately. You might want to ask your plumber for their personal opinion; even if something isn’t a critical emergency, it might be most economical to have it fixed at that time to avoid an additional service call fee. By having a plumber that is trustworthy and skilled you can rest assured that your drain, septic and sewer needs will be taken care of in the most professional manner.
Emergency plumbing repairs for drains, septic systems, sewers, water leaks and clogged or blocked drains typically cost more than regularly scheduled plumbing appointments. Be sure to discuss costs associated with your emergency repair with your emergency plumber before the work commences. The fees for emergency plumbing service vary greatly depending on the type of work that needs to be done, as well as geographical area. It is also very important to remember that having a properly functioning sewer and septic system is of the utmost importance to your health, wellness and lifestyle. Although a plumbing repair may be an unplanned expense it is really an investment and, while everyone is encouraged to look for a reasonable rate, the cheapest service may lack quality. By hiring a reputable plumber to handle your drain, sewer, septic tank or water leak repair you can rest assured that you are getting a fair price AND receiving a high quality service from an experienced and knowledgeable plumber.
Once your drain is unclogged, your water leak is fixed, or your septic tank is functioning optimally it is best to take some proactive steps to ensure that your plumbing emergency doesn’t happen again. Your plumber will explain what caused your plumbing emergency to you and that should help you learn what to do – or not do – to avoid a repeat plumbing emergency. Sometimes something as simple as placing a sign in your bathroom before a party asking guests not to flush sanitary items down the toilet could save you hundreds of dollars by preventing a clogged drain. Try to be proactive in maintaining your pipes, drain, septic and sewer systems and prevent emergencies before they happen.
Here are some tips that can help prevent the need for an emergency plumber:
- Perform periodic maintenance and checks on your plumbing fixtures.
- Make sure you know where the main shut-off valve is. In the event of a water leak or any other clogged drain, you will be able to quickly prevent further damage by shutting off the water supply. Then you can call a plumber and not worry about your house flooding while you wait for the plumber to arrive.
- If your shower or bathtub gets clogged or the drain gets backed up it is often from hair and soap residue. You might want to get a little screen to guard your drain. Also, you can try using a wet/dry vacuum to suction out a clogged drain before the tub becomes backed up and unusable.
- If your kitchen sink gets clogged or the drain gets backed up it is probably from food particles and grease from cooking. One easy (and affordable) way to prevent the kitchen drain from getting backed up or clogged is to boil some water and pour it down the drain every couple of weeks.
- Use a low-ply toilet paper and make sure that only toilet paper and human waste are being flushed down the toilet. Even sanitary products labeled “flushable” are problematic. Tampons are so often responsible for causing clogged sewer lines and backed up toilets that many plumbers refer to them as “sewer rats.” Being sure that your family and houseguest are aware of the importance of not flushing these items can be very important.
- Make sure to winterize your pipes to avoid them bursting and causing a water leak.
- Check the hoses and connections of your washing machine and replace them as needed.
Spending some time and effort checking and maintaining your plumbing can be very effective at preventing emergency visits from the plumber. Should a situation arise in which you do need the services of a plumber, we at 1-800-CLOG-MASTER can help you quickly and conveniently find a plumber to help you with your drain, septic and sewer repair and replacement needs.