Whether you have a burst pipe or clogged toilet, plumbing emergencies are often unpredictable. The solution could be as simple as unblocking the pipe, or you may need to change the entire structure, in some cases. While not all plumbing repairs can be avoided, there are certain steps you can do to save on plumbing repairs and prevent major plumbing disasters. 

Unlike electricity, it is often quite difficult to survive without a proper water supply in your home.  Leaving the toilet cogged is never a good idea, and you may risk flooding your house and damaging furniture in case of a burst pipe. When such a situation occurs, the first thing you should do is keep calm and shut off the main water supply. This prevents further damage to your property and gives you time before the plumber arrives. 

While keeping calm maybe half the solution, understanding the problem is equally important. There are a few steps that you can take to ensure that your plumbing system is operating optimally. These steps will also help you recognize minor plumbing issues before they develop into a major problem. 

Look for leaks

One of the most common plumbing issues is a burst pipe. You may not even notice a small leak in your pipe until it causes the pipe to burst. Burst pipes can be quite expensive to repair and waste a significant amount of water as well. However, this can usually be avoided if you conduct regular inspections of the pipes in your house. While small leaks may be hard to find, fixing them sooner can save you a lot on plumbing repairs. 

Measure water output 

Always keep an eye out for taps that start to give less water than usual. If the water output becomes slower, it’s often an indication of a clogged-up pipe. Leaking pipes can be difficult to notice because the pressure does not get affected, but you can easily know whether a pipe is blocked. With a partially blocked pipe, the water output is much slower. If you notice this, you should call a plumber immediately. 

One thing to keep in mind, though. If your water is coming slower in one tap, then remember to check whether it is the same in other taps as well. If all the taps have a slower output, then there’s no need to worry as it’s probably an issue with the water supply. If it’s limited to a certain pipe, then call a good plumbing service to have the problem fixed. 

Compare your water bills 

While a leak in the kitchen tap may be easy to notice, it’s often difficult to notice leaks in pipes that are underground or in the walls. In fact, most homeowners do not know that their pipes are leaking until it causes significant damage to the walls, floor, etc. Leaky pipes also waste a lot of water. In fact, a small leak in one of your pipes can waste over 55 liters of water every day. And that’s based on the assumption that it’s a small leak.

How To Spot Water Leakage?

An easy way to spot whether you have an unnoticed leak is to compare your monthly water bill. Has your water bill risen significantly in the past month? If you notice something fishy, then call a reputable Menai plumbing company to have the leak located and fixed immediately. This will not only save you a lot on your water bill, but it also prevents wasting fresh water which is good for the environment. 

While all these steps will help you identify smaller issues before they spiral out of control, most plumbing emergencies are the result of small mistakes that accumulate over time. There are many things that you can avoid preventing major plumbing emergencies, but here are a few of the most common: 

• Don’t flush large items down the toilet. In fact, don’t flush anything other than toilet paper down the toilet. While many people see it as a convenient way of getting rid of their waste products, these items can eventually clog your toilet or the drain. Throwing it in the trash is always safer. 
• Avoid washing grease down the drain. While most people see no harm in washing grease down the drain, it is one of the worst mistakes you can make. Grease can get stuck in the drain and will eventually cause major issues. 
• Use mesh screens to prevent hair and dirt from going down the drain.

The bottom line

While certain plumbing repairs may be necessary, most major emergencies can be avoided by taking care of small things. By taking care of what you put down the toilet or drain, you’ll save a lot on unnecessary plumbing repairs later on.