Top Bathroom Plumbing Emergencies to Avoid
There are going to be a lot of parties and dinner nights with the holidays coming up, so this advice could be quite helpful; when people have to go, they have to go! But what happens if the toilet doesn’t flush? What happens if the toilet gets clogged? What happens when guests are staying over for a few days and sewage starts coming up the shower drain?
These are common bathroom emergencies to avoid. Toilet malfunctions are never good, but they are especially bad on special dinner nights like Thanksgiving.
Clogged Toilet Emergencies
Clogged toilets are never fun, especially at a dinner party when people start to line up outside of the bathroom. However, there are several tips that can help avoid clogged toilets. Reducing the amount of toilet paper used prevents clogs. Though toilet paper is meant to dissolve, it doesn’t dissolve instantly. Therefore, if too much is used at once, it can clog the toilet. Don’t flush foreign objects like q-tips, cotton balls, or tampons.
These products don’t dissolve so they can also cause clogs. One way to avoid foreign objects from being flushed is to keep the toilet lid closed. That way if there’s any toys, makeup, medication, or other items sitting nearby, they won’t accidentally be flushed. Also, keep a plunger in every bathroom so if a clog does occur, it can hopefully be resolved without having to call a plumber.
Blocked Sewer Line Emergencies
Sometimes when flushing, the water might go up instead of down. Or people might notice when they flush that water will come up in the bathtub or shower drain next to the toilet. The reason for this is a blocked sewer line.If the toilet and the tub or shower are in the same bathroom, their drains are typically connected. So when the toilet is flushed and water comes up in the tub or shower, it means that the clog or blockage is located somewhere past the connection.
It’s hard to find exactly where the blockage is without help. It could be in the mainline that runs below the house, or it could be in any of the other pipes that lead to the mainline. People may be able to clear the clog themselves with a plunger, but if the problem persists, it can be one of the signs of a main sewer line clog, so it’s best to contact a professional plumber.
Taking Preventative Maintenance Steps
The best way to avoid plumbing emergencies is to take preventative maintenance steps. The most important step a homeowner can take is to get drain cleaning services.
Drain cleaning is more than just clearing out clogs and blockages. It helps to remove buildup and hard water limescale in the pipes. It eliminates bad odors and can improve the lifespan of the drains and pipes in the house.
About Green Hills Plumbing
At Green Hills Plumbing, their customers enjoy upfront pricing with plumbing contractors who work carefully and efficiently on their home’s plumbing so they can get back to their normal routine with the least amount of disruption possible. The master plumbers have years of local experience and training to safely handle any plumbing job.
