Plumbing Emergencies Every Memphis Homeowner Should Know About

Plumbing emergencies can be especially concerning when it comes to keeping your home and family safe. A pipe bursting in your kitchen or a sewer line clogging up could lead to serious water damage and disruption of your home life. Plumbing issues can occur unexpectedly any time of year and can worsen if not addressed promptly. From busted pipes to clogged drains, each type of plumbing emergency has unique challenges that must be tackled with care.

Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Memphis is here to discuss common plumbing emergencies that could threaten the safety and well-being of you and your family.

The First Step in the Event of a Plumbing Emergency

As a Memphis homeowner, you're likely no stranger to plumbing emergencies – clogged drains, burst pipes, sewer backups, and flooding are among the most common. It can be challenging to manage, but you can take steps immediately to minimize any damage.

Preventative maintenance and swift action, when an emergency arises, can help ensure you quickly resolve severe plumbing issues and avoid greater losses. From calling a Memphis plumber promptly to shutting off the main water valve during leaks or flooding, acting fast and preparing is important.

Drain Stoppages

Your Memphis home has probably experienced its share of plumbing problems throughout the years, but perhaps the most common is a drain stoppage. Without proper cleaning and maintenance, drains can back up due to a buildup of material such as grease, soap scum, and hair. Resolving these stoppages quickly and efficiently requires professional help from a plumbing expert who can identify issues and apply appropriate solutions like HydroScrub® Jetting or snaking the lines to restore adequate flow. With prompt action, the seriousness of the issue and the potential costs associated with it can be minimized.

Burst Water Lines

Burst water lines can be a daunting plumbing emergency for any Memphis homeowner. Fortunately, this issue can be addressed quickly and safely with a professional on your side. With the city's mild climate and expansive infrastructure, even small breaks in pipes can rapidly cause severe damage to the home in mere minutes.

We recommend performing a visual assessment of your property regularly to identify any potential weaknesses in your plumbing system and take steps to shutter them accordingly. In the case of emergency water line bursts, time is of the essence, and swift action should be taken for proper mitigation.

Our local team is available to ensure that the burst line is quickly repaired and potentially long-term damages are avoided. Still, Memphis Light, Gas, and Water (MLGW) have a 24-hour emergency hotline that allows you to contact an MLGW employee and request a water shutoff to avoid any further damage if you have a broken water line.

Leaky Water Heater

A leaky water heater is one of the most common and serious plumbing emergencies Memphis homeowners face year-round. Typically, a leaking water heater results from higher-than-normal water pressure and pressure buildup inside the tank.

Although no one likes the idea of replacing a broken or damaged water heater, being proactive and addressing potential causes of leaks can help prevent property damage, tank explosions, and more expensive problems down the road.

Clogged Sewer Lines

Memphis homeowners regularly face the hassle of clogged sewers, leading to plumbing emergencies.

A clog formation can occur for various reasons, including:

• Tree root infiltration
• Buildup of debris, grease, and soap scum over time
• Flushing foreign objects down the toilet, such as diapers, hygiene products, “flushable” wipes, and feminine products
• Long hair clogging shower drains
• Debris from construction projects entering sewers through underground pipes or cracks in the foundation walls
• Poor design of a home’s sewer system leading to insufficient flow capacity
• Formation of ice dams inside sewer lines due to cold weather conditions
• Corrosion resulting from aging pipes

To resolve these issues efficiently and safely, it is essential that you contact a plumber in Memphis for assistance. We will assess the cause of the clog and provide various solutions, such as rooter services or pipe replacement, based on the severity of the blockage. Taking prompt action can help minimize costly damage due to backed-up pipes.

Preventive Measures to Avoid Costly Plumbing Emergencies

Prevention is key when it comes to avoiding expensive and inconvenient repairs.

You can start by:

• Updating any failing water heaters
• Repairing leaks or cracks as soon as possible
• Addressing clogs as soon as they are noticed
• Having regular inspections done by a licensed plumber

Scheduling routine assessments of your pipes, drains, and sewers will allow our professionals to identify potential issues before they become big problems that require emergency attention. While taking preventive measures won't guarantee that pesky plumbing problems will never arise again, doing so can help ensure you stay one step ahead of costly disasters.

Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Memphis  Can Help Address and Resolve Plumbing Emergencies

Plumbing emergencies can happen to anyone and at any time. Memphis homeowners might experience various plumbing issues, from clogged drains to burst water lines that can cause havoc. Above all, knowing what to do and whom to call in the event of a plumbing emergency is essential for preserving your home and budget. With an experienced plumber from Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Memphis, you can ensure plumbing emergencies are addressed and resolved quickly, safely, and efficiently.

Request a job estimate online or call us to help resolve a plumbing emergency immediately.