Affordable living is hard to come by in big cities, but apartments can provide a suitable solution. Unfortunately, apartments are also subject to various problems, the most common one being plumbing issues. That is because the plumbing would typically be shared throughout the entire property, and you cannot control what others do with their sinks and drains. That being said, if you are interested in staying in a high-rise apartment but are wondering what kind of plumbing emergencies you will commonly face, here is a list for easy reference:
1. Flooding
You may be wondering how an apartment in a high-rise building can get flooded, but it happens more often than you might think. In many cases, flooding is generally caused by clogged drains. This means that certain rooms, like the bathroom, are at high risk of an unintentional flood.
Unfortunately, any resulting damages will not be limited to that room. Any room below the flooded room will also be affected, as the water can seep into the above floor and damage the ceiling below it. Such damage is quite severe and is expensive to repair.
To avoid this problem, be careful what you throw down the drain. Any flooding you are responsible for will not bode well for you, your neighbours, and your landlord.
2. Dirty water
Dirty water is another common problem you will typically face in an apartment. It is generally caused by rust forming inside pipes. Water that has collected rust will generally taste metallic and sometimes appear brown. While the rust itself is not dangerous to drink, drinking water that tastes like metal is something not many people can stomach.
If this problem happens to you, you better hope that it only affects one of your faucets. If this is the case, then the problem would only be limited to pipes that connect to that faucet. However, if dirty water affects all your fixtures, there is a good chance that the main pipe needs fixing.
3. Clogged Drains
As we mentioned earlier, clogged drains can cause flooding, which can cause serious damage. However, clogged drains cause many other issues, such as your toilet not flushing or your sink not draining. In many cases, you may have clogged it up with something you are not supposed to throw inside. Such a problem can also be expensive to fix, depending on the severity of the clog.
To avoid clogged drains, be careful what you toss down them. For instance, you should never pour oil down the drain or flush paper towels and other non-biodegradable items down the toilet. These items can collect and build up in the pipes, leading to clogs and worse problems.
Conclusion
There is a wide range of plumbing emergencies you can face when living in an apartment, such as leaking hot water tanks, broken valves, and more. Regardless of the problem you may face, you should always do your part and be proactive in ensuring your apartment’s pipes are in great condition.
Also, remember to have your plumber’s phone number, along with your landlord’s, on your phone in case of an emergency. That way, you can act quickly and get the help you need as soon as you notice flooding or any similar problem.
Top Tier Mechanical is a plumbing service provider, offering plumbing solutions to satisfy any need. If you are looking for plumbing services in Chilliwack for emergency services, get in touch with us today!