Common Plumbing Emergencies

For plumbers and repair specialists in Las Vegas, there is never a dull moment. Leaks and running toilets are all too common. Regardless of the age of your home or where you live, your home plumbing system is going to experience some sort of mishap. Emergencies can happen at any moment, and when they do occur, you need to act quickly to remedy the situation. Here are some of the most common situations where you will need to contact an emergency plumber:

  • Clogged Sink Drain: One day you are doing the washing dishes or brushing your teeth, and suddenly you notice that the sink refuses to drain. Slow and inefficient draining is incredibly annoying and it’s a problem you will want to avoid if you can. However, slow draining isn’t necessarily an emergency. It is when the water flow stops completely that you will require emergency services. That’s because you are likely experiencing a major clog in your sewer line.
  • Toilet Clog: You will know that your toilet is clogged when you begin to hear a gurgling noise any time you flush it. You will also notice that your toilet leaks any time you use it as well. Your toilet is the most used plumbing fixture in your home, so you can expect some of these more common emergencies to occur. There are plenty of DIY plumbing repair methods you could undergo for your toilet, but we recommend that you contact an emergency plumber. They are going to identify the issue quickly and prevent any major plumbing disasters, such as structural damage or backups of raw sewage.
  • Clogged Bathtubs and Shower Drains: You are in the middle of taking a shower, and you begin to notice that the water level is coming up to your ankles. You also hear a strange gurgling noise emanating from your shower drain. In a situation such as this, it’s usually due to hair particles and soap scum accumulating over time that caused a clog in your shower drain. This is a very common thing to happen, and you will want to call an emergency plumber to remedy the issue. 
  • Leaky Faucets: You hear that dripping noise coming from your faucet and it’s driving you crazy. You may not realize this, but that leaky faucet has a major impact on your monthly water bill. You should seriously consider repairing it because you could also end up wasting hundreds of gallons of water in a single year. Leaky faucets can also lead to outbreaks of mold in your home plumbing system. 
  • Water Heater Leaking: If you ever get the chance, you should take the time to inspect your hot water heater. Check to see if any standing water is forming underneath it. If water is leaking from your storage tank, then you are likely wasting money on heating your water. Leaks will also lead to severe property damage if you are slow to repair the issue. Sometimes you can easily repair a leaky water heater by replacing the pressure valve. However, if you notice that the entire tank is rusted through, then you will need to invest in a whole new water heating system.
  • Leaky Washing Machine Hoses: Washing machines are sturdy and mechanically dependable for the most part. However, the water hoses always tend to be the weakest link. If you discover that one of the hoses has a crack or bulge in it, then you shouldn’t waste any time contacting an emergency plumbing repair specialist. 
  • Broken Water Lines: Water lines are located underground and they tend to come in contact with tree roots and shovels (during hardscaping projects). When the water line breaks, your entire yard will become soggy. You can also expect your water quality and water pressure to decrease dramatically. 
  • Burst Pipes: The rapid freezing and thawing cycles of winter can wreak havoc on your plumbing and cause a pipe to burst. When this happens, you are looking at a complete replacement, which you will need to hire a residential or commercial plumbing repair service to perform.
  • No Hot Water: This is a scenario that many of us dread. One day you wake up and go to take a shower and it’s not producing any hot water. Or, you are in the middle of showering, and suddenly that hot water disappears. Your water heater is likely experiencing some sort of malfunction in a situation such as this. However, electrical issues and leaks can also cause a lack of hot water. You should call your utility company to see if this is caused by a defect on their end. 
  • Sewer Main Line Backups: This is a scary one. Why? Wastwater and sewage can potentially enter your home. It’s a plumbing nightmare that no one wants to experience. Backups tend to be very messy and difficult to clean up and repair. Signs of a backup in your sewer system include multiple drain clogs, bad sewage odors coming from the drains, gurgling toilets, and water pooling around the basement floor drain.

Water Leak Detection

We always get a lot of questions from Las Vegas residents about leak detection systems. What are they, exactly? Leak detection involves the use of video and audio monitoring technology to determine and diagnose abnormal plumbing behavior. Leaks are a lot more common than you think, but they usually emerge in these particular areas:

  • The service line that attaches your meter or water pump to your home. This is the main line that runs underground and through your driveway and other areas of your property. 
  • A slab leak, which is where the leak develops in the water lines that are directly underneath the concrete foundation on which your home sits.
  • Leaks that occur in the inner-workings of your plumbing system – such as inside your walls or floors. 
  • Water and drainage lines that run through your crawlspace or basement. 
  • Other random plumbing systems that are prone to leaks include radiant floor heating, hydronic heating and cooling lines, and special plumbing for ice rinks.

Have any questions about emergency plumbing repair services? Contact one of our staff members today and they can explain everything you need to know in greater detail. We are always committed to serving the residents of Las Vegas and ensuring that you are taking care of all your plumbing needs.