Many homeowners won’t call for Los Angeles plumbers until there’s already severe water damage in their properties. Take note that while leaky faucets and water stains may seem like minor problems at first, they can quickly escalate to a full-blown plumbing emergency. The good news is that you can call a professional before all that happens.
In this post, we’ll discuss some of the tell-tale signs that you should contact an on-call plumber immediately. Read on and see if you’re currently in one of these situations:
Make sure you call a Los Angeles plumber if you notice at least one of these plumbing issues in your home:
1. Water leaks
You should never ignore water leaks as they occur. Aside from wasting water and increasing your utility bills, water leaks are early warning signs of a pipe that could burst at any time. When that happens, you’ll have a much bigger problem and expensive plumbing repairs to deal with.
With that, consider leaks as an early warning that will buy you time to look for a plumber on call. Being proactive when leaks occur can literally save you hundreds – or even thousands – of dollars in repairs.
2. Overflowing toilets
No one wants an overflowing toilet or sewage backup, much so gray water getting all over their homes. If not addressed right away, overflowing toilets can lead to flooding inside your home, a stinky mess, and severe water damage that costs a lot to fix.
The moment you notice your toilet isn’t draining well or the water level is starting to rise, you should call an emergency plumber in Los Angeles right away. It’s possible that there’s a blockage on your sewer line that requires expert services like snaking or hydro jetting.
3. Lack of hot water
A failing water heater is always requires a quick plumber service call. It’s a matter of keeping you and your family comfortable, especially during winter. And since lack of hot water can be due to various reasons, it’s best to have a licensed professional diagnose and fix the problem.
While LA doesn’t typically get harsh winters, it can still get really cold at times. Unless you want a surprise cold shower in the morning, you should call a plumber immediately for water heater repair.
4. Frozen pipes
If you live somewhere that gets very low temperatures during winter, you should watch out for frozen pipes. Aside from blocking the smooth flow of your water supply, the frozen pipe can also burst and cause flooding in your home or business. This is something you wouldn’t want to deal with in a cold, snow day.
Take note that frozen pipes can crack and not leak water right away due to the thick ice. However, as the temperatures rise and the frozen pipes thaw, it will start to gush water, unless you call the plumber your fellow locals trust.
5. Discoloration on your water supply
Water discoloration can be a sign that your pipes are corroded and require replacements. It can also point to breakage on your plumbing in Los Angeles where dirt and soil are starting to contaminate your water line.
Whatever the cause is, discoloration is a tell-tale sign of water contamination that should be fixed before it makes you or your family sick.
6. Very low or high water pressure
Extremely low water pressure can be due to mineral or sediment buildup on your pipes. This requires flushing or cleaning to restore its normal water pressure and to reduce the risk of having a burst pipe.
On the other hand, a very high water pressure isn’t a good thing either. This unregulated water pressure can also lead to a broken pipe and flooding in your home within minutes. With that, you should contact a plumber immediately to tune-up your plumbing.
7. Slow or clogged drains
Clogged or slow drains are one of the most common plumbing problems in Los Angeles. It is often due to easily preventable habits like flushing down sanitary products aside from toilet paper.
In most cases, plumbers will have to snake your drain to dislodge the obstruction. But for more stubborn clogs like tree roots, you'll need more intensive emergency plumbing services like hydro jetting.
8. Sulfuric or rotten egg smell
Take note that plumbing emergencies aren’t exclusive to your water supply. In fact, the most dangerous ones could happen on your gas line. So, if you start sniffing a bad smell similar to rotten eggs, you should call a licensed gas plumber right away.
This is a sign of a gas leak that can lead to explosions or fires if not fixed right away. And while you’re waiting for the plumbers to arrive, don’t turn on or off any appliances or electronic devices. Instead, open windows or doors slowly to ventilate the area. It’s also best to wait for the plumbers outside for your safety.
Whatever plumbing emergencies you have, you should only call a licensed and insured plumber in Los Angeles. Unlike amateur handymen, licensed plumbers have the right tools and training to handle any emergencies, especially those involving your gas supply.
Do plumbers work on Sundays? Many offer 24/7 service, and they can accommodate repairs on weekends and holidays.
Also, consider calling a local plumbing company so they can reach you fast and have the problem fixed as soon as possible.
