The Woodlands Plumber are responsible for installing and connecting pipes, fixtures, and appliances. They also work with customers to understand their plumbing needs and provide recommendations. They often collaborate with other professionals, including construction teams and architects, to ensure that plumbing systems are integrated seamlessly into building projects and meet all necessary regulations and standards.
Broken pipes can be a real plumbing emergency, and they’re liable to cause extensive water damage that requires costly repair. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take before calling the plumber that can help mitigate the problem and make the situation more manageable until the pro arrives.
The first thing you should do is shut off the water supply to the affected area of your home. This will stop the flow of water and prevent additional damage until a plumber can arrive to do a full repair. It’s important to know where your home’s water shut-off valve is located so you can find it quickly in an emergency, as it’s typically near the main water line or the meter.
Once you’ve shut off the water, you should start to clean up the mess and assess the extent of the damage. You can use a mop and buckets to remove excess water, and be sure to open any faucets that are close by so the remaining water can drain out. This will also help minimize the amount of water that can wreak havoc on your flooring and furniture.
You can also make a temporary pipe fix with duct tape, epoxy putty, or a C-clamp. These tools can seal small leaks and cracks, but you’ll need to call a plumber to replace the damaged section of pipe for a more permanent fix.
Some common causes of broken pipes include lack of regular maintenance, extreme weather conditions, and tree roots. In addition, pipes that are exposed to vibrations or strong pressure may break or rupture. If your home is experiencing construction or renovation work, it’s a good idea to have a professional plumber inspect your pipes before and after the project to ensure there are no issues.
A plumber will be able to determine the source of the break and provide you with a cost estimate for repair. In some cases, the plumber may need to cut out the damaged section of the pipe and install a new one. This type of repair is best left to a plumber with the right equipment and experience.
Sewer Backups
If you’ve experienced a sewer backup, it’s a major emergency that requires immediate attention from a plumber. A plumber will need to figure out if the situation is caused by a blockage or there’s just too much wastewater in the system for it to handle.
Your home’s main sewer line is where all of your house’s waste flows into. It takes that wastewater to either your septic tank or the public city connection. Because everything in your home is connected to the sewer line, a clog or other issue with that line will have serious consequences.
You can help prevent issues with your sewer lines by regularly having them inspected and maintaining them as needed. That means having them cleaned, which is important for keeping them free of debris that can cause a clog. It also means not flushing items that shouldn’t be in your pipes, like diapers, sanitary products, paper towels, grease, toys, or anything else that will likely not break down in the sewer line and create a solid clog that requires drain cleaner or snaking to remove.
Sewage backups aren’t just a nuisance, but they’re a health hazard that puts your family at risk of infection. That’s because sewage contains harmful bacteria that can make you sick. These bacteria can cause gastroenteritis, hepatitis A, salmonella, E coli, and more. That’s why it’s so important to not only have a professional plumber fix the problem, but to have a restoration company cleanup and disinfect the affected areas.
You can also protect your home and belongings by having a professional plumber install a sewer backup plan for you. By doing so, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that if the worst happens, your insurance will cover the damage and cleaning costs. If you’re interested in getting a policy that includes coverage for sewer backups, talk to your RBC insurance professional about the available options and get a free quote.*
Mold
Molds are microscopic fungi that can be found both indoors and outdoors. They are a natural part of our environment and are essential to breaking down organic materials such as soil, plants and dead animals that cannot decompose on their own. However, when they occur indoors, they can cause numerous health problems.
Inhaling mold spores can lead to respiratory issues including coughing, wheezing, choking, and difficulty breathing. In addition, they can trigger allergies, and can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, throat and lungs. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to contact a doctor.
Some types of mold, such as Stachybotrys chartarum (black or dark green toxic mold), are associated with serious health effects including lung damage, bleeding in the lungs, septic shock, and other potentially fatal conditions. These types of molds thrive in organic material such as wood, drywall and cardboard, and they release mycotoxins that can affect your health. Other types of mold, such as Aspergillus and Cladosporium, are commonly found in kitchens, bathrooms and on fiberglass air ducts. These molds are more likely to cause allergy symptoms.
The first step in any mold remediation process is to stop the source of moisture. This may include turning off the power at the affected breaker, sealing off water leaks, and removing wet materials.
Once the source of moisture is stopped, the next step is to clean and treat affected areas. This includes spraying and scrubbing surfaces with a brush, hot water, and household detergents. Any contaminated items are removed and sealed in plastic bags to avoid spreading mold spores. If the problem is severe, a professional may need to be called in for more extensive and labor intensive measures.
If you suspect that you have a mold problem, it is best to give your landlord written notice of the problem and ask for a repair to be made. It is also a good idea to keep a copy of this for your records. If you are unable to get the problem solved through negotiation, you can file a legal complaint against your landlord.