Have you ever experienced any of the following plumbing issues below?
- A stopped-up toilet
- Broken pipes due to a record freeze
- No hot water with a house full of guests
- Or an unwanted wading pool in the basement
It is always an emergency when the breakdown occurs for the customer because it is an inconvenience and it always seems to occur at exactly the wrong time. But some of the calls that we receive are more than inconvenience, they can cause major property damage and even death! That is why good service plumbers emphasize speed of service.
It is our goal to get to every customer promptly, but especially the emergency plumbing calls! Unfortunately, that is not always possible. So homeowners need to know some basic first aid until more thorough help before a plumber can arrive.
Try These Tips Before Calling a Plumber
Are you experiencing frozen or leaking pipes? Water pipes can burst from a household accident, long-term corrosion or, most commonly, freezing. Most freezes occur in crawl spaces or areas such as exterior walls or basements, where cold air enters through cracks. Even though the room temperature might be well above freezing, a constant thin stream of cold air is all it takes to freeze a pipe.
The first step you need to take is to turn off the water shutoff valve leading into the house. Usually this is located near a wall where the main water line enters your house. Next time you use a plumber, ask him to hang tags on your household lines to identify water and gas shutoffs. Some companies do this without being asked, but most do not provide this service. A faint gas odor may indicate nothing more than a burned out pilot light to an appliance. Check the water heater or any other appliances in the vicinity to see if the pilot is out. (An absence of hot water is another big hint).
You May Need a Plumber To Help With Your Gas
A more powerful odor spells big danger. Turn off the shutoff valve by the gas meter to your house. If you aren’t sure where to find it, call a plumber at Armstrong. Turn off all appliances, open windows and vacate the house before you call for service.
The most common cause of a major gas leak is knocking open a gas valve, or even damaging the pipe, while moving furniture. Be careful!
Plumbers to the Rescue For Your Toilet Problems
On the flip side, maybe you’re experiencing an overflowing toilet. Naturally, you want to have a plunger handy to remove any clogs caused by toilet paper or other lightweight debris. If you can’t stop the water from flowing, it probably indicates a stuck valve. Lift the lid off the toilet tank and check to see if the plug is not covering the round opening at the bottom of the tank. Position the plug over the opening. If the plug won’t move, don’t force it. Check to see if the float is stuck. Lifting the float should shut off the flow of water.
If none of this works, turn off the shutoff valve to the toilet. Its handle is usually located either behind the tank or underneath it. Then call a plumber at Armstrong.
Call Armstrong For Reliable Emergency Plumbers
To get the plumbing problems taken care of that you can’t fix yourself, schedule a service call with Armstrong. We have emergency service for all your plumbing needs. Call today!
