Why You Don’t Need a 24/7 Plumber

You don’t need Batman to respond to everything that goes bump in the night, and you don’t always need a 24/7 plumber to respond to every plumbing emergency that springs up in your home. When your plumbing systems go pop, sprinkle, gurgle, and glug, there are many temporary repairs you can perform that will get you through the night. What may first seem like a major problem is often a minor issue that doesn’t require emergency service, meaning you can avoid the hefty repair bill that comes with it.

Seal Leaky Pipes with Epoxy, Patches & Tapes

Finding a leaking pipe is never a pleasant experience, and it’s important to stop the flow as soon as possible. When you find a leaky pipe, shut the flow of water off and reach for the tube of water pipe epoxy, waterproof tape, or a pipe wrap that you’ve wisely tucked away in your toolbox for a rainy day. These are cheap and will harden quickly. Once hardened, you can turn the water back on and shower, clean, cook, etc., as usual until the plumber arrives.

Stop Toilets That Won’t Stop Running

If your toilet won’t stop running, it’s probably because your flapper isn’t sealing properly or because your adjustment screw needs tightening. Start by turning the screw slightly and see if the water stops flowing once it rises to the water line marked on the tank. 

If the problem is a seal, drain your tank and dry the flapper out. Next, apply a liberal coat of petroleum jelly to the flapper. But, before you do this, make sure the chain in your tank is attached correctly. Many times the problem is simply that the chain has come loose.

Deal with Dripping Faucets

The drip, drip, drip can be annoying, but it’s not an emergency. If the noise is getting to you and the drip is getting worse, turn off the valve underneath the faucet and call your plumber in the morning to repair or replace your dripping fixture.

Clear a Clogged Toilet

Toilet clogs rank right up there with leaking gas pipes as the most common causes of emergency plumbing service calls. While the latter is a critical emergency, toilet clogs can often be resolved quickly and easily. First, don’t panic, and don’t continue trying to flush the toilet. If the plunger doesn’t work, reach for a cup of baking soda and a couple of cups of vinegar. Pour these into the toilet and let the mixture go to work for a few minutes. Then, flush the toilet again. 

Thaw Out Frozen Pipes

Our climate is rather warm, but it’s cooling off, and on average, Georgia sees over 30 nights a year that drop below freezing, which means that pipes can freeze up. If that happens, reach for your hairdryer or space heater. These can often thaw the pipe quickly and without the need for an emergency service appointment.

Promptly Address Gas Leaks

While most plumbing problems can wait until morning, gas leaks are a critical emergency that you should not wait to address. When you detect a gas leak, evacuate your home immediately and call 911 or your utility provider’s emergency number. The fire department and/or your utility provider can shut the gas off until the pipe can be properly repaired.    

We are happy to answer your questions about plumbing problems and the temporary fixes you can apply until we arrive. We invite you to contact the team at Dupree Plumbing at 770-428-2291 to speak with one of our licensed plumbing professionals.