Plumbing seems straight forward – clean water in and dirty water out – but problems can take your tranquil existence and turn your world on ends. Plumbing emergencies are often sudden, stressful, and expensive. Worse, routine maintenance when neglected, like a small drip, it can become a major problem like a leak. Given the high pressure municipal water is under to ensure system reliability – a burst pipe, especially if no one is around to turn the water off – can destroy an entire home.

Not all plumbing problems are created equal, some can be fixed with patience, some temporarily to plan for major repairs, and then there are those that require immediate attention. Here are some common plumbing emergencies that homeowners may experience:

Clogged sinks, tubs, or toilets: it can be a nuisance and are rarely an emergency, even if there’s only one in the home. However, repeated clogs may be a sign of something more serious.

Leaking faucets, toilets, washing machine hoses, or water heaters: this can be annoying, as can cleaning up the large volumes of water they can quickly create. Then there’s the additional water bills (a good sign that there may be a hidden problem), and the potential for structural damage. If not having hot water is the issue, it could be a water heater malfunction, electrical issue, or plumbing leak.

Broken water lines and sewer system backups are often caused by issues outside of your home: these are the more serious (and expensive) issues. Tree roots, gardening with a poorly aimed shovel, and service or construction companies working in the area can be causes for this. A broken underground water line can cause sinkholes, soak your property, and be the cause of no or very low water pressure. Equally a sewer system clogged with tree roots and household debris can be messy as waist backs up into your home creating a costly and inconvenient mess.

The most important thing that a homeowner can learn about burst pipes is to flip or turn off the water shutoff valve immediately. If you don’t know where this valve is, then you need to take a few minutes and learn its location. Turning off this valve is the only way you can stop the water at its source and mitigate damage to your home.

Looking for an Emergency Plumber that Serves York Region, including Vaughan and Newmarket?

Some leaks can be fixed by simply changing a washer. Do not underestimate any big or small plumbing emergencies that may take place in your home and call an expert plumber to fix it. At Aaron and Son, we are experienced in catering to these types of emergencies and atypical plumbing disasters that can occur in your home. Contact us today!