How to Avoid Plumbing Emergencies and When to Call Same Day Plumbing Services

Imagine this: it is the middle of winter and you have just returned home to find it North Pole-cold. Since you are not Santa, you decide to investigate what's wrong with your boiler.

But where to start? And if you are not handy enough to be able to troubleshoot on your own, how do you fix a possible plumbing emergency like this?

Having central heating up and running, especially in the cold months is essential. So you can definitely consider any boiler repair problem a plumbing emergency that needs to be addressed quickly and indeed by an expert in this domain - someone who can provide a gas safe register certificate for the work they perform.

What are the common boiler problems?

So you now touched each and every radiator in your home and none of them seem to be turned on. You head to your boiler (usually hidden away in the kitchen or garage) and can hear it making weird noises or see a persistent red light turned on.

Is this something that you can handle further on your own? Are you able to trouble shoot what might be causing the boiler to malfunction? Here are some common boiler problems.

If you have a gas boiler, is there gas available in other appliances?

First check if you have a gas in other appliances. If you don't you should check with your energy supplier immediately. It's worth checking your gas meter to ensure it is not still running as this could mean you have a leak in the house. A gas leak in the house requires a reliable plumbing expert to fix it for added peace of mind.

If it has recently snowed, could a water pipe be frozen?

Scientists have already predicted - with data - that extreme weather will become more common. Being able to handle some weather changes is vital.

One of the most common problems (and one you can fix yourself) is an external water pipe that is frozen and which would normally be taking water to your boiler. By identifying where the frozen pipe is, you can pour boiling water over it to slowly unfreeze any water inside. You should then cover it with specialist styrofoam covers.

This cost effective solution can help your heating service re-start immediately. An honest tradesperson will seek to advise you over the phone to trouble shoot this particularly common boiler problem.

How fast can I get a plumber on the same day for emergency repairs?

Asking a plumber to come to your home on a same-day service suggesting there is great urgency will come at an extra cost. Before you start sounding all panicked, ask about the normal call out charges and ask when the plumber can visit you.

It is best to try websites that show you the area coverage of a plumbing service company or tradesperson and choose someone local to you. If the plumber is not immediately available you can always explain that you don't work from home and that if they have no availability, you need to look elsewhere. This usually does the trick! Remember to always choose reliable plumbing and heating companies.

But if you need your boiler up and running same day, then you need to explain this to the plumber - if they have no availability then you need to keep calling plumbers until you find one that can visit your home. Larger companies in central London are better at handling emergencies as they do employ a larger number of staff.

An emergency plumbing service means having the plumber onsite within a couple hours. If your emergency is about a leak, then obviously the first thing to do is cut off your water supply from the mains!

How much does an emergency boiler repair cost?

All appliances sooner all later will require maintenance or replacement. If you have not looked after your boiler or have used it well past its 'expiry date' be prepared to dig deep for its emergency repair - if it is even fixable.

On average emergency boiler repairs in the UK cost between £100-500 with £400 being the sweet spot. Some energy providers provide emergency repair cover, which is worth considering, especially if you are a landlord and have to appease your angry tenant!

It should be clear to you by now that normal and emergency call outs are priced differently.

What is the most expensive part of a boiler?

The good news is that more often than not, your expert plumber will be able to repair your boiler in one visit and get your household back and running as normal. Occasionally, a broken boiler may need replacement parts - the most expensive being the heat exchanger. This can cost up to £600 making the boiler replacement with a new appliance a better option long term.

What if my boiler cannot be fixed same day?

Prioritise the needs of your household to prepare for the worst: you could be without hot water for days! If this is the winter, then maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home will be crucial and this will be trickier in a detached house rather than in a block of flats.

Try to keep the house warm for longer, by closing curtains and using electric heaters. Keep windows and doors closed at all times to trap the remaining heat indoors. To manage the lower temperature, use layers during the day and into the night.

Babies and younger kids can be washed with warmed up water. Grown ups can minimise hygiene by using wet towels instead of showering. remember, you are having an emergency!

So that's it, your plumbing issues can be solved at the touch of a button if only you know who to ask help from in the case of a plumbing emergency with your boiler or pipes!

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Jenny Kakoudakis likes to blog about interiors. She launched the award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2014. When she is not chasing criminals out of the financial system (her day job), she gets creative by redecorating her own home.

Download her free bathroom renovation guide here.