You’re pretty sharp to determine who the best plumbers in Chicago are before you have a plumbing emergency! Put their number in your phone contact favorites or speed dial list because there’s not much that’s worse than serious-to-catastrophic plumbing problems. You have no better friend than a trusted plumber when a water pipe bursts, your toilets overflow and won’t unclog, showers won’t drain, water pressure is way too low, and when other plumbing emergencies occur. In Chicago, IL, the best Chicago plumbing contractors will show up at your door if you call J. Blanton Plumbing. The following are tips on what to do when preparing for and when tackling a plumbing emergency.
First Things First: Know About the Main Shut-off Valve
It’s not necessary to cut off the water supply to your home in response to every plumbing emergency. When the shut-off is needed, however, you’ll want to be able to get it done quickly. In every house, there’s a valve that can turn off the water with a clockwise turn. Primarily, occasions to turn the valve and stop the water supply include a burst water pipe and a sewer drain that’s seriously backed up
It’s not an emergency situation, but it’s a good idea to close the water supply valve if your home will be vacant while you’re gone for an extended vacation. This helps to prevent catastrophic damage if there is a sudden water leak while you’re away. It can be impossible to predict when something will go wrong with the concealed water pipes between the walls of your home.
Where is the Main Shut-off Valve?
Main shut-off valves sometimes have a bright red handle, making them set apart from other plumbing and easier to identify. Your valve may have a round wheel handle or levers. There are various places where your home’s shut-off valve may be located. Sometimes it’s outdoors next to your water meter. It may be in your basement if you have one. In general, it is typically within 5 feet of where the water main enters your home. If you can’t locate your main water valve, contact your trusted plumbing contractor.
Call the Best Plumbers in Chicago for Plumbing Emergencies
Even if you have a speedy plumber you can count on for quick arrival, some things can’t or shouldn’t wait for the plumbers to arrive at your home during a plumbing crisis. The following are tips for managing some of the most common plumbing emergencies homeowners face every day. It’s actually not always necessary to call the plumbers since do-it-yourself remedies often work.
An Overflowing Toilet
If your toilet is overflowing or clogged, turn off the toilet’s water valve. It is located behind or on the side of the toilet. Turn the valve counterclockwise all the way and the water flow that goes to the toilet will be cut off. Once you’ve done that, there may be some cleanup to do. Try using a plunger to unclog the toilet, which is the solution that fixes the problem the majority of the time.
Leaky Pipes
It’s not always immediately obvious when you have leaking pipes. There are various hints that there’s a pipe leaking somewhere in your home, including the following:
- Your water bill is outrageously high.
- Mold or mildew is growing on a wall not shared with the shower.
- Flooring, walls, or ceilings are stained and sagging.
- After cleaning your bathroom, you still detect a musty smell.
- Your water meter indicates you have a leaky pipe.
Contact one of the best plumbers in Chicago, if you think you have a leaky pipe.
Clogged Drain
It can be a huge inconvenience to have a stopped-up drain, but the problem is sometimes much more than a mere nuisance. Try the following do-it-yourself solutions. If they don’t work, contact your plumber without delay.
- Put water in the sink and use a plunger to try to unclog the drain.
- If plunging doesn’t work, try a liquid drain cleaner.
Keep in mind that an effective way to help prevent pipes from getting clogged is by using drain screens, which can be very inexpensive.
Burst Pipes
The worst plumbing emergency you can experience, by far, is a burst pipe. When a water pipe bursts in your home, up to 100 gallons of water can be released in just 8 hours. The cause of burst pipes is usually corrosion that has developed over a course of years. Tree roots can also cause pipes to burst, and collapsed pipes can occur because of environmental changes, such as major construction near your home. Of course, burst pipes are common during a hard freeze when sufficient preventative measures haven’t been taken. For example, there are always reminders about covering pipes and keeping the water running in all faucets when below-freezing temperatures are expected.
If a pipe bursts in your home, close the shut-off valve as quickly as possible so that there is no longer a supply of water entering the pipes of your home. Move any items, including furniture, that could be damaged by the water.
Faulty Water Heater
Water heaters are also the cause of some plumbing emergencies. Call the best plumbers in Chicago if you have water heater problems other than do-it-yourself tasks such as the need to relight the pilot. Water may be too hot or too cold, the water heater may be making noises, the hot water tank may be leaking, or the water could have a strange odor or color. As far as the latter goes, flushing your water tank can be a DIY job that might resolve unsightly or odorous water.
Contact J. Blanton Plumbing for Plumbing Services
When you need an expert for a plumbing emergency, why not call the best plumbers in Chicago, according to local ratings and reviews? A third-generation family business, we are known for our rapid response time, upfront pricing, and quality services. In Chicago, IL, our plumbing professionals are the ones to call. Each is highly trained and will show up at your door in uniform. Call us today at our Chicago, Evanston, or McHenry location.