It was one of the best films ever, and the dinner afterward was delicious. The one thing that would have made the evening perfect was not coming home to soggy carpeting. A quick squishy walk into the kitchen reveals the water flowing from underneath the sink. That little leak in the pipe had suddenly become too big for the bucket you thought would contain the drip until you got around to calling the plumber. It’s midnight. Now what?

The Atascadero plumber from Quality 1st Plumbing and Drains has three tips for helping prevent plumbing emergencies:

1. Know the warning signs.
2. Make repairs promptly.
3. Maintenance to help prevent emergencies.

Warning signs!

Recognizing the early signs of problems is critical to preventing larger problems. Here is a list of the most common warning signs of plumbing problems:

• Slow drains caused by buildup from hair, grease, soap residue, and other debris can cause sinks, tubs, toilets, and even the washer, to drain slowly. Tree roots intruding into drain pipes can also cause slow draining. Cleaning the drain and removing the clogs are the best remedy.
• Frequent clogs or backups in sinks, tubs, showers, and toilets indicate a blockage somewhere in the plumbing.
• Unusual sounds don’t necessarily mean your house is haunted. More likely, screeching, banging and gurgling noises coming from faucets, pipes, and drains are messages from your plumbing that there’s a problem somewhere in the pipes. Clogs, leaks, trapped air, and loss of water pressure can contribute to noisy plumbing.
• Unpleasant odors don’t always originate from the trash, old fuzzy food in the refrigerator, or the kid’s tennis shoes. Smells can come from bacterial buildup in the plumbing, trapped organic matter due to slow draining, or other problems in the sewer line. The Atascadero plumber inspects the pipes and sewer line with a special camera, locates and repairs the problem, and gets our household back to normal in record time.
• Water, water stains, dampness, or mold anywhere it shouldn’t be is a surefire warning that something is leaking. Locate the leak if possible, repair it immediately, and dry the area to prevent mold or water damage.
• Any size leak, anywhere in the plumbing is already a problem that needs immediate repair.
• Unusually green and wet areas in the yard indicate a leaking or broken pipe that needs immediate attention. Any leak is important, but the pathogens in sewer leaks are also health threats. To be safe, block off the wet area to keep pets and kids out of it, call the plumber, and if possible, turn off the appropriate water valve.
• Other issues are indicated by puddles around appliances like washers and dishwashers; rusty colored water or stains; low water pressure; running water in toilet tanks; and a sudden increase in the water bill.

Make repairs promptly

Putting a bucket under a leaking pipe might temporarily stop water from spreading, but it doesn’t fix the leak. Some people are handy enough to make a run to the hardware store and replace the damaged pipe, but that alone doesn’t always solve the problem.

The Atascadero plumber not only repairs the damaged pipe but uses state-of-the-art tools to inspect the entire plumbing system for other problems. If one pipe is showing signs of wear and damage, there’s a good chance other pipes of the same age are too.

Maintenance helps prevent emergencies

Regular inspections and maintenance are safeguards against future problems:

• Inspecting the plumbing before moving into a new home can be a strategic step for identifying potential problems, especially for older homes with old plumbing.
• Pre-sale inspections and repairs can make the sale go smoother.
• An annual inspection of the entire plumbing system is usually sufficient.

DIY inspections are also highly important:

• Regularly check under sinks and around tubs, showers, toilets, and the washer for signs of leaks.
• Pay attention to leaking faucets both inside and outside.
• Standing water in unusual places needs immediate attention to identify the source of the water.
• Pay attention to what goes down drains and flushed down the toilet.
• Avoid depositing grease, oils, and food residue down the drain, and don’t overload the garbage disposal.
• Use drain screens in all drains to capture debris that can contribute to clogs.
• Practice “plumbing savvy” landscaping. Know where pipes are and avoid planting anything with an aggressive root system near them.
• If you are on a septic system, choose septic-friendly products.

Even in the best of circumstances, things happen. Events such as earthquakes, a storm uprooting a tree, or someone parking on your lawn can damage plumbing. The professional plumbers from Quality 1st Plumbing and Drains are licensed and insured, and you get:

• Upfront pricing before the work starts.
• All work is guaranteed.
• Extended warranties.
• Financing is available.
• Advanced, time-saving technologies including inspection cameras and hydrojetting

Call today!