When something goes wrong with any water appliance at home, the first response of many people is to try to fix it themselves. But that is often the wrong thing to do.
On occasions, it is a reasonable way to react, since it may be that a bit of tightening here, a bleed of a radiator there or the use of a plunger elsewhere can help stop a leaking tap, get your heating at optimum level working again or unblock the toilet.
However, as House Digest has highlighted, there are some home plumbing issues that only a professional should deal with, as they are either too hard to resolve on a DIY basis or may be downright dangerous.
That is when calling out an emergency plumber is the only wise step.
A prime example it gives is when there is a horrible smell of sewage. It is not just that this is an extremely unpleasant odour; the gases can be a health hazard and may even pose the same threat of fire or explosion as a gas leak.
The cause is normally a blockage, but given the perils involved, as well as the pong and mess, this is definitely one to get the professional one as soon as possible.
Blocked toilets or sink drains can pose a similar problem. If a few goes with a plunger don’t solve the issue, this is the time to get the expert in before you end up with a very nasty mess and a lot of toilet water all over the bathroom and perhaps beyond. There could be a severe blockage that needs expertise and the right tools to move.
Discoloured water is another big issue, as this can indicate contamination that might be dangerous.
It may be that the discolouration is reddish brown. If so, this may be just down to some disturbed sediment and rusty iron residue, perhaps caused by nearby waterworks like pipes being replaced. In that case, it may soon clear up on its own and not be harmful.
If not, however, a replacement pipe may be needed. If that is in your home then it is a job for a plumber. If not, you need your local water provider to do the job.
However, if the water has a strange taste or smell, or an unusual colour like blue or green, you should definitely not drink it. Your plumber may be able to identify a local cause, but there is always the chance it is a larger pollution incident.
Thankfully, these are rare, which is just as well because major incidents can have severe consequences. Perhaps the most notorious was the Camelford incident in 1988, when 20 tonnes of aluminium sulphate was accidentally added to the water supply.
Around 20,000 people were poisoned, with health effects ranging from ulcers and stomach trouble to hair turning green from copper poisoning and, worst of all, fatal brain conditions believed to be caused by excess aluminium.
While toxic pollution or sewage leaks that could lead to explosions are rare, there are many times when a household plumbing problem just can’t be solved by DIY. That is when you should give us a call.