Top Tips for When You’re Plumbing Nightmares Come True

It will always happen when you least want it to… you might be at work and come back home to find your house flooded, or you might come in from the snow and turn on the heating only to discover some of your pipes have burst, or you might be in the shower after that sweaty run only to have the misfortune of a leaky pipe.

Plumbing nightmares can come true at any time, and they almost always creep up on you suddenly and without warning.

Knowing what to do when a plumbing nightmare strikes will help minimize damage and ease your frustration. If you know the basics, then the problems won’t shock or out smart you anymore – like when someone taps you on the shoulder these days, you always know to look to the other shoulder first.

Locating the Main Water Supply

In almost any plumbing emergency, you will need to shut off the water supply. It won't always be necessary to turn off the main valve, but knowing its location is crucial.

So, when you first move to a new house, it is important that you locate the house’s main water valve. The shut off valve is usually located near the water meter or near an exterior access point of the home's crawl space.

Please know that once water is turned back on you will get some bursts of air… that is completely normal, so don’t let the short blasts alarm you. That said, it still startles me every time, even though I know what is about to happen! Once the air blasts have stopped, you can turn the water off. 

Attending to Drips and Leaks

A dripping faucet should be repaired as soon as possible, as even the smallest of drips can add significantly to the figure you see on your water bill! The water supply to the sink or tub should be turned off as soon as the leak is noticed, regardless of whether you call a plumber or plan to repair the faucet yourself. This is especially important in the case of hot water, as you will read about shortly.

A sink's shut off valve is located under the vanity or cabinet. The shut off valve for a bathtub, may be located behind an access panel on the wall behind the tub's faucet. Though you may think that you only need to locate the hot or cold water supply valve, depending on which is leaking, you will actually need to turn off both valves before replacing the faucet.

Shutting off the Electricity Supply to the Water Heater

If hot water is leaking from supply line or a faucet, the first step will be to shut off the main water supply. If the hot water is leaking, the hot water tank will drain. In a case like this, it is vital that you shut off the breaker that supplies electricity to the hot water heater. The heating element will burn out and need to be replaced if the hot water heater is allowed to run dry while still operating.

This would otherwise be an expensive repair job and can be easily prevented by simply shutting off the electricity at the first sign of hot water leakage.

Preventing Toilet Overflow

A clogged and overflowing toilet will likely be the most common plumbing problem that a household experiences, especially if there are more than a couple of people sharing any given toilet on a regular basis. All family members should know that preventing a complete overflow is possible if you watch out, and catch it in time.

If the toilet's water level appears to be approaching overflow, turn on the cold water in the nearby sink or bathtub. This can be enough to prevent an overflow, as it slows down the overall water flow.

Located on the water supply line close to the floor behind the toilet, the water shut off should also be turned off by turning clockwise. With the water supply turned off, a person can work on unclogging the toilet without worrying about water (and any other nasties) flooding the floor.

How to Flush Away the Problem Flushing

When the water in the tank of a toilet is constantly running or if the toilet is flushing occasionally on its own, then that’s usually the sign of a failing flush mechanism. To stop water being wasted, turn off the water supply using the valve located behind the toilet, as you would with an overflow problem. Once you have taken off the tank lid, you can usually tell if the entire flush mechanism needs to be replaced, or if it may simply need adjusting. However, if you are uncertain then call a plumber.

Remedying a Clogged Toilet

A flange plunger is the necessary tool required to unclog your clogged toilet. This plunger has a deep upside down bowl, is usually black in colour and has a rim two to three inches in height at its bottom. The plunger should be inserted into the toilet opening to create a snug seal. Pumping the plunger quickly several times builds up a vacuum suction, and then the entire plunger should be pulled up sharply. This usually works to pull the blockage out of the drain trap.

Remedying a Clogged Sink

A clogged sink needs a standard cup-style plunger to solve the problem. If you are unsure of what these look like, a standard cup-style plunger is often dark red in colour and has a flat, wide rim. Cup plungers can come in a variety of sizes. The smaller types are best suited for sinks, and the larger sizes work best if you have a problem with your bath or shower.

Similarly to unblocking a toilet, it is important to place the plunger over the drain and pump several times in order to create a vacuum. The suction should loosen the clogged matter and allow it to flow freely down the drain. Some clogs, especially hair, will be sucked out of the drain.

What to do with Washing Machines

You will need to shut off one or both (safer to do both) of the water supply valves on the hoses behind the washer, if a washing machine malfunctions and continues running water when it not supposed to. These valves are often visible, but occasionally they may be found behind an access panel in the wall. As with all of the water problems encountered thus far, it is important to turn off both the source of water flowing to the issue and also any electricity currents. In the case of a washing machine, you should turn off the washer and shut off the circuit breaker to prevent any electricity from reaching the machine.

F-f-f-fixing Those Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes can continue to cause stress and panic for anyone, regardless of if you have just moved away from parents to your own home, or if you are an experienced homeowner having lived in the same house for a number of years. Frozen pipes is probably the most problematic of issues discussed thus far, as you are not only without water, but you also run the risk of burst pipes and the related water damage that will ensue if this is not dealt with. With tentative care, a hair dryer or space heater can be used to thaw frozen water pipes. As with any electrical device emitting that much heat, it is important that no heater be left unattended, as it may cause a fire. To gradually thaw the pipes and ensure no long lasting damage, it would be best to use your heating device for only ten to fifteen minutes at a time. It is also vital that nearby faucets should be left open to allow thawed water to escape.

Don’t Get Caught Out

Have your plumber's number handy! No matter what plumbing emergency occurs in a home – if you can deal with it or not – a professional plumber will always be able to offer you advice and / or fix your problems.