10 Signs It’s Time to Call an Emergency Plumber in Palmdale CA

When you rent a home, you rely on your landlord to call the shots about emergency maintenance. As a homeowner, however, it’s up to you to know when to call for backup. The number of homes for sale in Palmdale is on the rise, which will lead to an influx of new homeowners. The transition from renting to owning comes with a number of perks, but it also comes with a serious learning curve.  Today, we’re going to talk about the signs that you need to call an emergency plumber in Palmdale, CA. Some issues simply can’t wait. Read on for ten signs that your plumbing problems are an emergency and require immediate attention. 1. Toilet Overflow Few surprises are more unpleasant than discovering your toilet has overflowed. Oftentimes, a toilet overflow results from trying to flush a clogged toilet. Because you’re introducing a full tank of water to a toilet that can’t drain, the water has nowhere to go but out. Your toilet may also overflow due to other toilet tank issues, like a float that isn’t properly adjusted and allows the tank to overfill. As a homeowner, the culprit isn’t your main concern when your toilet is gushing water all over the floor. Your main concern is stopping the flow. First, turn off the water at the source by turning the supply valve located on the wall behind the toilet clockwise. Then, call your local plumber. Even if the water looks clean, it could be contaminated with germs that you don’t want all over your bathroom floor. 2. Gas Smells Did you know that natural gas is odorless and that that “gas smell” comes from added ingredients like mercaptan? These additives are designed to empower homeowners to act fast in the face of a gas leak. If you start to smell sulfur or rotting eggs, it’s time to call an emergency plumber right away. That’s right, your plumber is the one to call when you have a gas leak—and you shouldn’t put it off. Gas leaks cause many safety hazards, in part because gas is flammable. Plus, exposure to gas in the air can cause a slew of symptoms including dizziness, fatigue, confusion, headaches, and respiratory irritation.  If you suspect a gas leak thanks to that stinky smell or a hissing sound coming from your gas line, don’t stick around to investigate. Head outside and give your plumber a call.  3. Signs of Water Damage Unless you know that the water damage in your home was caused by a leaking roof or a natural flood, you’re going to want to involve your plumber. Signs of water damage include: mold spots discolored walls, ceilings, or floors sagging ceilings or floors persistent wet spots These signs could indicate a leak somewhere in your plumbing system. Even a small leak can lead to hundreds of gallons of wasted water, an increase in your water bill, and major structural damage. Worst case scenario, the leaking pipe bursts over time, leading to a flood.  4. Flooding Unfortunately, pipes can burst for a number of reasons. A single crack can weaken the pipe, and the continued flow of water can cause that pipe to burst. A blockage caused by sediment, clogs, or frozen water can also create a pressure buildup that causes the pipe to burst. No matter the reason, when you realize that a burst pipe is causing flooding in your home, call an emergency plumber. A single burst pipe can release gallons of water at a time. If the flooding is coming from your main supply line, you’re looking at even bigger problems.  The longer a flood continues, the more difficult cleanup and restoration will be. Once water seeps into structural materials like your foundation or even your insulation, you’re looking at thousands of dollars in repairs. 5. Changes in Water Pressure You’re taking a shower and suddenly, it’s next to impossible to get all of the shampoo out of your hair. The water pressure in your shower has dropped. What’s the problem? If you’re lucky, there’s a simple fix, here. You can remove the aerator from the showerhead or faucet and check for sediment buildup. If there is, cleaning that sediment may solve your problem. However, if the water pressure has changed all over the house or you don’t discover a sediment buildup in the aerator, it’s time to call an emergency plumber. Detecting the problem will require professional investigation and repairs.  6. Changes in Water Temperature We’ve all experienced the displeasure of running out of hot water halfway through a shower. If it happens every once in a while, you may simply need a bigger water heater tank to accommodate your household usage. If it’s happening all the time or you can’t seem to get any hot water, it’s time to involve a plumber. The average water heater lifespan depends on the type of water heater you have. For example, a typical tank system should last between 8-12 years, while a modern tankless system can last upwards of 20.  A plumber can determine if the issue is age or something more serious. For example, you may not realize that your water heater is leaking somewhere in your home or basement. No matter the cause, an emergency plumber can restore your hot water so that you can get back to your day-to-day hygiene needs. 7. Frozen Pipes There was a time when Palmdale residents wouldn’t have to worry much about frozen pipes. However, after the storm system we saw in the LA area last February, it’s clear that we may have more below-freezing days than we used to. Because many Palmdale homes aren’t meant to thrive in low temperatures, this could lead to an influx of frozen pipes. As we’ve mentioned already, when a pipe freezes, it’s prone to burst. There are ways to prevent this from happening, like increasing insulation near your most vulnerable pipes, but many homeowners don’t realize the risk until it’s too late.  How do you