It doesn’t matter whether you’re a homeowner or a tenant, you need to have the number of your local Sydney emergency plumber on speed dial. The simple fact is you never know when you’re going to need them and you won’t want to be wasting time trying to find their number.

Plumbers are not just for emergencies. In fact, there are several situations that can be avoided by having annual plumbing inspections. These include leaking pipes, low water pressure, and even failed water heaters.

Of course, no matter how great your planning and maintenance, there will be a time when you need help fast. That’s when you’ll want the number for the emergency plumber handy.

Here are the 5 most common reasons to call an emergency plumber:

1. Burst Pipes

This is the most common reason and the one that can quickly cause a lot of damage to your home. Pipes live in bad conditions, they are metal and are surrounded by water and oxygen, perfect conditions for corrosion.

At some point, the corrosion will weaken the pipes enough that they can burst. The result is water pouring into your home. You need to know where the main stop valve is and shut it off, in order to limit the damage to your home.

But, you’ll also need to call the emergency plumber to get the water supply back on.

2. Flood Risk

Flooding causes huge amounts of damage in a very short space of time. You need to be prepared for it via annual inspections, clearing gutters and drains, and even having sandbags ready. But, if you’re concerned about flooding or are experiencing it, you need to contact your plumber as fast as possible.

They’ll help to stem the flow of water and direct the excess water away from your home. This will minimize the damage caused.

3. Sewage Backup

There is little worse than entering your home and finding sewage on the floor. It will usually back up through the toilet or the shower as these tend to be the biggest drain pipes. Of course, sewage doesn’t just smell disgusting, it is also hazardous to your health.

There are many reasons why a sewer can back up but you’ll need expert help to identify the issue and resolve it as quickly as possible. You’ll then be faced with cleaning up, not a pleasant experience.

4. No Hot water

Most people take hot water for granted. You turn on the tap and the hot water just arrives. However, your hot water heater can stop working for a variety of reasons. When this happens you’ll need emergency assistance to get the problem fixed or the heater replaced.

It’s surprising how much you rely on a hot shower.

5. Drains Clogged

Blocked drains can be caused by roots damaging pipes or the wrong items going down the pipes. You should get a warning sign as things start to drain slowly. This is when you should call your emergency plumber and get the issue resolved properly.

If you don’t it will eventually clog completely, causing the sewage to back up into your home.