We don't have to tell you that a situation like water slowly filling a basement or dripping through your ceiling should be addressed by an immediate appointment with your local Calgary plumbers. In more extreme situations like a sagging ceiling, you should call for Calgary emergency plumbing services and 311 and follow their safety protocol instructions.
Potential Emergencies Include:
- Collapsed Sewer Mains: If the sewer lines buried under your lawn start leaking, it's your responsibility to get them fixed. The City of Calgary only repairs sewer lines below public property. If the buried sewer pipes sitting underneath your property break in any way, your entire sewage system will be disrupted. Without a prompt response, you won't be able to send anything down your drains. If you have a backwater valve installed, it will prevent your basement from overflowing, however, do not use any plumbing fixtures during this situation.
- Obstructed Sewer Pipes: Obstructions might not seem as severe as a total collapse but they could still completely disrupt your sewage service for which you will need qualified technicians. Clogs that sit deep inside drain lines have the potential to stop all other waste. That bad blockage could even cause serious damage if it's not cleared. If you can locate the sewer trap (or cleanout), we recommend that you unscrew the cap to release some pressure until your Calgary emergency plumber arrives.
- Leaking Pipes: Even a hole as small as 1/16”, barely bigger than a grain of rice can waste as much as 3,000 litres of water in just 24 hours. The associated utility costs that come with that waste are just the first problem that comes from leaky pipes. Over time, that small leak might cause massive amounts of structural damage to your walls, ceiling, and other nearby areas of your home. If you notice any leaks or hear running water behind your walls or in your ceiling, shut off your water supply.
- Frozen Pipes: Frozen pipes are common during Calgary's winter cold snaps which is why we provide winterization tips. If expanding ice blocks your water lines, not only will you completely lose access to that supply, but you will also be at an increased risk for water leaks from burst pipes. Expanding ice puts pressure on pipes that often results in leaks that stay hidden until the ice melts. If you have frozen pipes, think about getting help from Calgary emergency plumber professionals before that minor issue with your supply lines turns into major and expensive water damage. They will use specialist tools to help you thaw the line and provide them with relevant insulation wraps to prevent from freezing again.
- Failing Hot Water Tank: Both conventional hot water heaters and tankless heaters have a limited lifespan, even less so if they don’t receive the necessary maintenance. Failing heaters are one of the most common reasons that Calgary residents call a professional plumber in the early morning or the middle of the night. Calgary emergency plumbing services are available — for everything from leaking hot water tanks to complete water heating system failure.
Emergency Warning Signs:
Calgary's emergency situations don't often come without warning. There are several little issues that might affect a plumbing fixture before calamity hits. If you notice warning signs, you will be glad you called certified Calgary emergency plumbers for a thorough inspection and swift repairs!
Warning Signs Include:
- Sewage smells and rotten, foul odours coming from drains
- Clogs that keep coming back
- Multiple clogs appearing at the same time
- Moisture stains on your walls, ceiling and floor
- Liquid dripping through your walls or ceiling
- Having no water access
- Wastewater appearing in your drains when you flush your toilets
- Gurgling and other strange sounds
- Unusually high water bills
- Isolated puddles and small patches of greener grass in your lawn
- Sewage seeping out of floor drains, toilets and shower drains
- Leaking sewer cleanout
