When finding a plumber for toilet repairs or other plumbing services, we tend to get a little embarrassed about whatever the problem is. But the truth is, plumbers have seen it all. Literally. Plumbing problems are not unique and the plumbing repairs that comes with it have all been done before, so there’s nothing for you to be worried about. A plumber knows what he or she is in for before even getting to a house. Here are some of the most common reasons for calling in plumbing services to residential housing.

Burst Pipes
This is a big emergency. Before the plumbing services arrive, you need to stop water flowing from the breakage. If you know where the main shutoff valve to your home is, it needs to be closed. This will turn off the water supply to the whole house and stop the flooding. If you then turn on the cold water faucets to all sinks, this will drain the pipes quickly and release any trapped water or steam. A plumber can then repair or replace the damaged part of the pipe.

Frozen Pipes
During the winter, the low temperatures can cause the water inside the pipes to freeze. The water will then expand and can cause damage to the pipes, possibly even breaking them. Again, the main shutoff valve should be closed. If you are lucky enough to have the pipe not broken yet, you can thaw it out with hot water bottles or towels. Never try to thaw with a naked flame, the thawing process must be gentle and slower in order to avoid thermal water expansion which can also split your pipes. In order to avoid this situation all together, make sure that your pipes are properly insulated before those cold times hit.

Leaky Fixtures
If you have a leaking fixture, the best thing to do is close the shuttoff valve for that one fixture. Make sure that the fixture doesn’t have any debris or hair or food stuck in the opening that could obstruct the water flow. If the opening is clear, this is when you want to call in plumbing services to see if there might be a bigger easier somewhere deeper in the lines. Usually, a leaky fixture means there is an obstruction somewhere and it’s just a matter of finding it. Plumbers can use a newer technology called camera drain inspection where they attach a camera to a rod and feed it through the drain in order to find the blockage. This makes it much easier to find out what is wrong and to fix the problem.

Blocked Drains and Toilets
This is the main one that we are usually embarrassed about because 85 percent of the time, something has gone down the toilet or drain that shouldn’t have. If a plunger or snaking tools fail, then a plumber will have to come in to dislodge the clog using heavier duty tools and chemicals. This is where plumbers have seen it all so don’t worry if you think you may have made a mistake in flushing items that shouldn’t have been flushed. A good plumber will be very non judgmental and will help you out without making any comments at all!

Gas Leaks
If you smell gas, you need to immediately exit the building. This is not a situation where you want to try and repair it yourself. Gas leaks can be deadly if handled improperly. After you have gotten yourself and whoever else is in the building outside, you could call an emergency plumber or the gas company themselves to come and see what’s wrong. They are trained in gas emergencies and have the proper tools, clothing and equipment to rectify gas leaks. They may give you instructions over the phone on how to turn off gas valves if necessary.

So, if you need to call in a plumber, don’t worry about it. It’s better to get the job done properly and efficiently and suffer a little embarrassment then have worse problems stack up in your house because of issues that went unseen to. This is partly what causes broken pipes etc. is when the residents are not checking them regularly and taking care of them.