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There’s nothing worse than needing an emergency plumbing repair, especially in the middle of the night or on a weekend. Our plumbers at Metro Plumbing, Heating and Air have seen many plumbing catastrophes in the Chattanooga, TN area.

Your plumbing system might be the least thought of system in your home. Least thought of at least until a problem occurs, then it becomes impossible to ignore. Plumbing disasters can cause a lot of damage to your home or property. You should deal with any plumbing problems immediately before they get out of control.

Here are the top 10 emergency plumbing repair issues that we see regularly in Chattanooga, TN homes and businesses.

1.  Burst Pipes

This is the most damaging of plumbing disasters. A burst pipe can release four to eight gallons of water per minute. That adds up to a lot of water, and a lot of damage to your home and property. This is one emergency plumbing repair that you can’t ignore. If you are experiencing a burst pipe, shut your main water off immediately and call a plumber immediately. We have plumbers available 24/7 for emergency needs.

2.  Leaking Pipes

You know exactly where the water is coming from when a pipe bursts. But leaking pipes can be a little bit tricky to find the source. Your best bet is turning off the main water valve and call the professionals. A professional plumber will repair the leaky pipe at its source and check for other damages. Homeowners that try to fix a leaky pipe on their own risk creating even more damage.

3.  Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes are another emergency plumbing repair issue that cannot be delayed. A frozen pipe can turn into a leaky pipe or a burst pipe at any moment. The reason is that when the water is frozen in the pipe it expands. This can cause the pipe to split open and burst, causing lots of water damage for your home or business. You can prevent frozen pipes from happening by checking your pipes to be sure they are insulated from freezing temperatures.

4.  Clogged Toilet

Sometimes no amount of plunging can fix a clogged toilet. First, turn your water off at the base of the toilet to prevent overflowing. If your plunger can’t do the trick, you are going to need to call a professional. Serious clogs may require a plumber to use an auger to get the obstruction cleared. When people try to fix their toilets with chemicals or snakes, it can lead to worse damage and the need to call the plumber anyway.

5.  Clogged Sinks

You can prevent clogged sinks by being careful what you put down the drain. Avoid putting materials like coffee grounds and grease down your drains. But sometimes, even when you have been careful, you may still end up with a clogged sink drain that you can’t fix on your own. Kitchen sinks have a drain trap to prevent sewer gas from rising. The professional can make sure your drain trap is functioning properly without leaks or damage.

6.  Sump Pump Failure

A sump pump failure, just like a burst pipe can cause damaging flooding to your property at a rapid rate. This is another emergency plumbing repair that you don’t want to hesitate to call for help. You may want to consider buying a sump pump backup. This would run on a battery in the event of a loss of power or malfunction to the main sump pump.

7.  Gas Leaks

Gas leaks are a serious problem in which you need to call for an emergency plumbing repair immediately. Don’t even try to fix this one yourself. When you smell gas, leave your home or building and call an expert. Although the gas company is responsible for service to your house, you are responsible for the pipes in your home. One common problem plumbers see is issues with the pipe to your furnace.

8.  Water Heater Malfunction

There’s nothing worse than waking up in the morning, especially on a cold day, and waiting for your shower to turn hot. And waiting, and waiting, and waiting, while it still runs cold. Your hot water heater is an essential part of your home. If it’s not working, you need to call a plumber to assess the damage. If you have a stream of water coming out of the bottom of it, call a plumber immediately. This could signify a big problem and you need an emergency plumbing repair.

9.  Blocked Shower Drain

Shower drains can get blocked very easily due to soap scum and hair buildup. It’s very unpleasant to take a shower as the water slowly rises to your ankles. But even worse than that, blocked shower drains can cause flooding. If the water makes its way out of your shower, you can end up with soaked carpet, flooded floorboards, and damaged ceilings if your shower is on the second floor.

10.  Sewer Backups

Some signs to watch for on sewer backups is water pooling around drains in the basement, bad-smelling drains, slow-moving drains throughout your house, and gurgling sounds coming from toilets. Don’t leave these issues unattended. A sewer backup is an emergency plumbing repair that you need to have handled right away. If you let it go, it can result in backed-up sewage flowing into your home. Not only will that create property damage, but it is a health hazard as well.

Metro Plumbing, Heating and Air has served residents in and around the Chattanooga, TN area since 1989. We’re a family-owned business that puts our customers first. We offer a full range of services for residential and commercial customers.

If you are experiencing one of the plumbing disasters listed above or any other plumbing issue, don’t hesitate to call us today. We are available 24/7 to assist you with your needs for your emergency plumbing repair.