emergency Archives - Super Plumbers

What is the Difference Between a Plumbing Issue and a Plumbing Emergency?

Is This Plumbing Problem Important or is it Emergent?

“Don’t panic, and carry a towel” is often the refrain of a good plumber. Homeowners need to be aware that not every issue that comes up with plumbing is an absolute immediate emergency. Steps can often be taken before calling a plumber and paying for the visit. There are critical differences between a problem that is emergent and one that is just important.

Pipes Breaking: Emergency

There is a sinking feeling when someone wakes to the sound of running water, but there are no faucets on. A broken pipe is usually an incident one associates with winter and freezing temps; however, any extreme temperatures can cause pipes to lose integrity. Whether it is a joint that has come loose or an actual crack in a pipe, this is a situation that requires immediate professional assistance. There are several steps to take in case of a broken pipe.

Turn off the water: If a customer has access to their water main, it is best to turn off the water immediately. This prevents waste and high utility bills.
Call the plumbers: Get the professionals out as quickly as possible so life can return to normal.

Toilets Clogging: Important

Obviously, this is one of the most common household plumbing problems and can usually be fixed with the aid of a good old-fashioned plunger. Because of the importance of this particular appliance in the house, a clog that cannot be fixed immediately feels like an absolute emergency, but rest assured it is not. Because there are no leaks and nothing coming up out of the toilet, it is an important plumbing problem, but not an emergency.

Sewage Backup: Emergency

Probably the most unpleasant of the plumbing emergencies would be a sewer backup. A yard, or worse yet, a home flooded with sewage, causes water damage and the risk of health issues. Just the smell alone is enough for anyone to know that this is more than a serious problem- it’s an emergency.

There are several reasons this can happen, including:

Collapsed pipe: If an aging sewer pipe has just completely fallen in on itself, it will cause slow draining at best, and at worst, backup.
Flooding: If there has been a large amount of rain, it can cause the residential sewer pipes to drain more slowly or cause a backup if the rainfall is significant enough.

Human Created Clogs: Just as toilets can be clogged, sewers can likewise be blocked by the same kinds of things if they get caught and build up. This is a reminder to only flush things that are meant to be flushed down the toilet.

Nature Created Clogs: Several elements of the outdoors can compromise a pipe’s integrity. Roots, burrowing animals, nests, and leaves can all cause serious issues if they end up in the wrong place.

About Super Plumbers

Super Plumbers provides 24-hour emergency calls in Tyler, Texas, and the surrounding area. They provide upfront pricing, and their work is 100% guaranteed. When dealing with an emergency, homeowners can rely on their reliable emergency plumbers to work diligently day or night. Contact Super Plumbers today for more information about their emergency plumbing services in Tyler.

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Tips For Proper Emergency Weather Response

The Importance of Proper Response To Unexpected Winter Weather

Texas recently experienced its first winter storm in 162 years. Every county in the state was affected by the storm, and a majority of towns and cities were left without power. Some Still could be suffering from power outages and damage repairs. It’s clear that the effects of this storm will be lasting. As the weather warms back up (hopefully for good), homeowners must be aware of how to respond when an unexpected storm occurs in the future. The safest thing for homeowners to do is get in the habit every winter of preparing their home, just in case Texas ever experiences weather like that again.

Then, when it actually happens, homeowners will be prepared. However, most of the time, tragedy doesn’t strike when planned, so below are a few things that homeowners can do when cold weather has already started to affect their home.

How To Safely Thaw Pipes

Texas home piping systems weren’t ready for the drop in temperatures a couple of short weeks ago. It was like the entire state froze up and cracked all at the same time. Homeowners weren’t prepared and didn’t know how to safely unthaw their frozen pipes. The following information is so important for homeowners to know, as it could mean the difference between them staying safely at home or seeking refuge somewhere else during the storm.

Here are a few ways homeowners can try to unthaw their pipes:

Try to keep the house as warm as possible
Add space heaters and infrared lamps to areas of the home where pipes are like bathrooms and kitchens
Let the faucets drip water as long as the temperatures are freezing
If homeowners can’t access the pipe directly, a hole might need to be cut into the wall
Once homeowners gain access, they can unthaw and insulate the pipe in question

If the pipe is unreachable or causing other problems, homeowners are encouraged to call a professional emergency service as soon as possible.

The Importance of Emergency Pipe Repair

Without emergency pipe repair, the entire state of Texas would be in another world of trouble. Emergency pipe repair is a necessity when the weather is warm. The temperature drops below freezing, and emergency pipe repair services become flooded with calls. At least, that’s what seemed to happen in Texas.

Not every plumbing company offers emergency pipe repairs, either. This makes it even more valuable when homeowners actually get someone to take a look at their home during a time like this.

When a state like Texas shuts down, and virtually the entire state loses power, things get chaotic rather quickly. When pipes began bursting left and right, it became clear that the state could benefit from a few more emergency pipe repair providers!

How To Prevent Future Damages

Hand adjusting temperature on thermostat Professional pipe insulation is the one service that would help all Texan homeowners prevent frozen pipe problems. It might not completely eradicate the issue. That is, homeowners might experience a leaky pipe or two, but their homes will be saved from multiple burst pipes.

Insulated pipes provide an extra layer of protection from the elements while simultaneously keeping the water inside the pipes hotter with less effort from the water heater. Another great thing homeowners can do in tandem with insulating their pipes, it to keep their home warm, and their faucets dripping, when the temperatures drop.

It’s Time To Call Super Plumbers!

Homeowners no longer have to wonder who they’re going to call when unexpected weather hits. The professionals at Super Plumbers offer 24/7 emergency services because they understand how important it is to eradicate plumbing emergencies as soon as possible. There’s no time to waste. Call today for emergency plumbing repairs in Tyler, TX!

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How to Avoid a Scary Plumbing Emergency

Don’t Be Haunted by Plumbing Emergencies

No homeowner wants to deal with a plumbing emergency. They’re such an inconvenience. Just think about all the ways people use the plumbing system at home: flushing toilets, washing hands, showering, cooking, watering plants, doing the dishes, etc. Not to mention, it can also be a considerable expense. It’s in a homeowner’s best interest to do what they can to prevent plumbing emergencies from happening. Luckily there are a few tricks to do just that.

Clear the Gutters

Clearing out the gutters is a common fall cleaning task. Once the first leaf falls, the rest quickly follow, and somehow they all seem to land right in the gutters. Weird! Though it does take time to clean, it’s definitely worth the effort because this is one great method to prevent plumbing emergencies. When the gutters become full of leaves, twigs, dirt, and other debris, the water has a hard time draining off of the roof and moving away from the house.

This can lead to a leaking roof or other water damage on both the interior and exterior of the house. And if that’s not bad enough, clogged gutters often become a new home for pests, rodents, and insects, which can create a whole other problem for homeowners to deal with. So if homeowners want to keep their roof intact and avoid wasting money on mousetraps, it’s worthwhile to clean out those gutters.

Insulate Pipes

Adding insulation around the plumbing pipes is another great trick from the pros for preventing plumbing emergencies. There are two types of emergencies that insulation helps to fight against:

Once cold pipes are exposed to warm air, condensation forms on the outside of the pipes. The excess moisture can form puddles on the floor, lead to mold growth, or cause other water damage. Insulation prevents the condensation from forming and damaging the home.
As the weather continues to get colder in the fall and winter months, pipes are more likely to freeze. If this happens, the pipes can easily burst, resulting in a major emergency with all sorts of water damage and costly repairs. Insulation helps keep the water warmer to prevent it from freezing in the first place.

Clean Drains

Most homeowners have dealt with a clogged drain at one point or another. It could be from too much hair going down the shower drain, too much grease going down the sink drain, or too much toilet paper going down the toilet drain. No matter what the clog is or where it happens, it can be a hassle to get rid of. And if it’s not taken care of right away, it can lead to other problems, including backups in the main line, causing wastewater to enter back through the drains in the house. Homeowners can prevent this from happening by cleaning the drains on a regular basis.

Using plumbing snakes or hydrojetting are the best ways to remove a clog in the drain or pipe. They’re highly effective, safe for the person removing the clog, and can clear out the clog with minimal damage to the rest of the plumbing system.

About Super Plumbers

With over a decade of experience in the community, homeowners can always rely on Super Plumbers in Tyler, TX, to perform a fast, effective repair or installation. Their expertly trained technicians will quickly resolve every issue without breaking the bank. They pride themselves on their dedication to customers to ensure that their customers will receive quality plumbing service, every time.