In the 18th century, Ocean Township was heavily invested in maritime activities, from shipbuilding and fishing to trading and voyaging along its waterways. In 1879, Neptune City gained independence from it, but good transport links kept it a peak trading spot and sightseeing area. Your household waterways are just as vital, so you should know what is considered a plumbing emergency.
While all plumbing issues are annoying and can strike fear in anyone, not all are emergencies that demand immediate care. But how can you tell which plumbing ailments can wait until business hours and which cannot? Below, our #1 Casper Friendly Services plumber contractors in Neptune, NJ, explain the difference between scheduled and emergency services and provide examples of each.
Emergency Services Versus Scheduled Ones in Neptune, NJ
Emergency services are after-hours professional assistance in Neptune, NJ, occurring in the evenings, on weekends, and over holidays. While more convenient than scheduled repairs that involve waiting for the experts to get to you, they’re also more costly. So, only call for 24/7 immediate assistance if it’s truly an emergency.
An emergency comprises any issue that causes further household damages or creates family hazards the longer you wait. That includes cases where water touches areas that shouldn’t get wet as opposed to simpler issues that remain constantly mild from day to day, such as a dripping faucet.
Drips and Leaks from Neptune Pipes
If you have a pipe leak in Neptune, NJ, it’s all about location; where is the leak located in the house, and what part of the pipe is leaking? For instance, if you have a dripping shower head or sink faucet, the water falls directly into the drain, so you don’t have to worry about water damage or stress on the pipe walls. Usually, the solution is as simple as installing a new washer or tightening loose screws.
However, if leaks occur along the pipe walls due to a cracked seam or deteriorating material, the crack grows into larger holes as water passes by and through it. The issue can worsen overnight, requiring a more costly patch repair or a whole pipe replacement in Neptune, NJ. Moreover, the water that escapes the holes absorbs into your home’s sheetrock, roofing material, or floorboards, causing:
- Wallpaper water stains and bubbling wall paint
- Visible mold and mildew growth or a musty odor that indicates fungal growth within your home’s structure
- Lifted or curling floorboards
- Slab leaks under concrete
- A buckling or concave ceiling
So, if you hear the sound of rushing water or dripping but cannot find the source from any of your fixtures, call for immediate assistance. A stellar Neptune team from Casper Friendly Services will arrive on the spot to remedy the situation and reduce household damages.
Pooling from Neptune Appliances
According to our rule in the above case, you may think that whenever an appliance is leaking, it calls for prompt, professional solutions since it can cause water damage on your wood or tile floors or cracks in concrete slabs. However, in this case, “What is considered a plumbing emergency?” is any scenario where you cannot slow or stop the issue (even temporarily).
For instance, if you have a water heater that is leaking at the tank’s base, can you cut off the water supply line to this appliance and turn off its power source? If you can, doing so stops water from entering the device and releasing it into your home. Still, there are other times when turning off one or both is not an accessible option, and you need an expert’s help.
You should also call a plumber if you smell gas, which indicates a dangerous leak. But even if you turn the heater off successfully, does that mean you want to? When Neptune’s summers reach an 84-degree high, the cooler water may feel refreshing on your skin, and you may not miss a water heater too much. But if it’s the middle of January and 26-degree lows are a factor, you’ll need swift and effective solutions.
Blockages in the Supply Lines in Neptune Homes
The complete opposite of a leak is a blockage in the supply line that reduces water pressure and restricts flow. In some cases, a broken pressure regulator causes your showers to be less powerful and your appliances to fill only halfway, and replacing it can prove effective. However, the culprit is usually a blockage that can derive from countless origin points.
Suppose you have metal pipes comprising galvanized steel, copper, or other material that eventually rust. In that case, the product corrodes as it reaches the end of its lifespan, leaving deposits in your water system. At first, you may notice an unusual smell or taste that resembles metal or blood and a rust color as it pours out of your Neptune faucets. However, as time goes by, the sediments build up and create a clog in the supply line.
Similarly, it’s slightly to moderately hard because the tap water in Neptune, NJ, passes through porous limestone and picks up magnesium and calcium compounds. That means the city’s water supply carries mineral deposits into your water system, which blocks your supply lines just like rust.
The bigger the clog, the more stress it puts on your pipes, eventually causing cracks and holes. So, the slower your water is running, the more of an emergency it is since repairs are necessary to prevent further damage.
Clogs in the Neptune Sewer and Drain Lines
Just as the supply line clogs, so do the drain lines and connecting sewer ones in Neptune, but a lot more than natural sediments do the job. While soap scum, hair, and globs of shampoo or conditioner become lodged within the shower drain, your kitchen sink drain may see a lot of things it shouldn’t, from fats, oils, and grease to coffee grounds and potato skins.
You can try plunging or safe liquid drain cleaners, but if these DIY options don’t work, you’ll notice the water continuously pooling and taking longer than usual to go down the drain. While standing in a puddle of filth in your bathtub may not feel like the cleanest option, professional drain cleaning with an auger or hydro-jetting hose can wait until the next business day.
Unfortunately, a toilet clog proves more sinister, not only because it carries human waste that you don’t want remaining in your bowl but because a blockage means the water level can rise to the point where it overflows onto your bathroom floors. As gray water enters your Neptune home, it creates an unsanitary environment that can make you and your loved ones ill while also causing flood damage.
So, what is considered a plumbing emergency in this case? Unfortunately, a clog in the sewer line leads to backups, whether due to products like wipes and diapers or natural occurrences like tree roots and burrowing critters. Gray water enters the sewer system or septic tank before flowing backward into your household drain lines. Toxic sewer gasses emerge, causing respiratory illnesses, so call for 24/7 repairs.
Sump Pump Failures During Neptune Flooding
Going back to broken appliances, sump pumps can be another cause for concern if they’re not working as they should. However, unlike water heaters and other water appliances, sump pumps are meant to store water for use; instead, they collect and expel it outdoors to prevent indoor flooding. They sit at the lowest point of your basement, where the water would run first, which is especially vital in Neptune.
According to Risk Factor, Neptune, NJ, is at a major flood risk, with over 29% of all residential properties lining the city being in danger of flooding over the next 30 years. Worse yet, commercial properties are at severe risk, making sump pumps a must, especially in low-lying areas and coastal settings.
Unfortunately, if your sump pump fails, you’ll only become aware of it when it refuses to turn on, and your basement starts to flood. If this happens, a technician is dispatched immediately to help resolve the issue before massive water damage occurs as water levels reach the upper floors. But, if you know how to read the signs of a faulty sump pump, call for a repair long before a shutdown threatens your home.
Those signs include the following:
- Unusual noises that segue from the traditional humming, such as buzzing, grinding, or gurgling
- Cycling too often or not enough due to a failed check valve
- Visible rust because the sump pit takes too long to empty
- A fungal smell due to standing water
Scheduled and Emergency Plumbing with Neptune’s #1 Team!
If you’re not an expert (or even a long-time homeowner), it’s difficult to tell how bad a plumbing issue can get. Luckily, our five-star team that’s been around since 2017 knows about all common (and uncommon) issues and their stages.
When you need a five-star company to further explain “What is considered a plumbing emergency?” or help you with a burst pipe and more, contact Casper Friendly Services. Call 732-759-4568 for 24/7 assistance in Neptune, NJ, today!