Some plumbing problems are minor inconveniences, and some can ruin your house and decimate your bank account. Here is where you can learn the warning signs that your property is vulnerable to floods, burst pipes and broken toilets, and how you can prevent those disasters from even happening.

Water Intrusion:

Of all of the plumbing disasters to worry about, flooding from water intrusion is one of the biggest. No one wants to open the door to their basement and see a pool of water covering their floor. Your house is mostly at risk during periods of heavy rainfall and severe storms, along with the beginning of spring when the snow and ice thaws.

You can prevent water intrusion when you improve your outdoor drainage by directing your downspout water-flow away from the foundation of your house — attach an elbow to the bottom and add an extension that will pour rainwater farther out into the yard. Clear dead leaves, sticks and pebbles out of your gutters so that water doesn’t get trapped and flow over the rims.

You should also look to a professional plumbing company for basement waterproofing help like the application of a waterproofing agent and membrane on the exterior walls, along with plumbing backups in the basement. They can install a sump pump or repair your old model to keep water from collecting in the lowest level of your house. They can also clear out any clogs and obstructions from your basement’s sewer drain so that it won’t fail if water makes its way inside.

Burst Pipes:

Most people are worried about water intrusion from storms, but they often forget about the damage that their own plumbing can cause on a clear day — burst pipes can spill out enough water to flood your home’s basement level and seep through your exterior walls. More than 250 gallons of water can rush out of your pipes in a day, especially if you are not around to react. The reason why you will want to take extra care to prevent this type of plumbing disaster is that the destruction and the expenses can be overwhelming. It can destroy your home’s foundation, your furniture, your personal items and your plumbing system.

This is a disaster that tends to happen during the winter when the temperature drops below zero because the water in the pipes turns to ice, expanding and obstructing the sewer line. The blockage puts a lot of pressure on the plumbing system and can cause pipes to crack and burst.

You can prevent the pipes from freezing by wrapping them with foam insulation and by using the thermostat to keep the indoor temperature warm. A common warning sign that your pipes are frozen is when the water doesn’t come out of a single faucet or fixture, but all of the other ones in the house continue to run just fine. If you suspect something is wrong, you should hire a plumber in Toronto to quickly find the blockage and deal with the problem — they can efficiently thaw up to 175 feet of metal lines that are 1.5 inches in diameter or less.

They thaw the outermost layer of the ice block and the water pressure clears the rest away so that there is no unnecessary pressure put on the plumbing. It’s vital that you remember that frozen pipes should be fixed by professionals and should not be thought of like a do-it-yourself project because you will tear up your walls trying to find the right blockage and use thawing methods that can be ineffective and very dangerous.

A Cracked Toilet:

Depending on the location of the crack or its size, your toilet could spring a small leak, or it could send water rushing out onto the floor. If you have not spotted a fissure in the porcelain, signs of cracks are missing water or standing water at the bottom of the toilet and surrounding floor space. If you can see the fissure, you should make note of where it is and inform a professional plumber — they can inspect the crack to determine the best course of action, whether that is having a toilet installed or repaired so that it lasts a little longer.

You need to be concerned when the break is meeting the water level in the tank or the bowl because that increases the chance of water escaping. A porcelain crack is one of the biggest signs to replace your toilet with an upgraded model, even if it is fairly small — it’s the only way that you can effectively limit your chances of leaks, floods and water damages. Here at Morrison Plumbing & Mechanical, we can help you choose the right toilet for your bathroom and then do the installation for you.

 It’s important to know the different causes for toilet cracks to see when you can expect them to show up and how to prevent them — this way you can keep your new replacement and your other toilets in good condition. If the toilet has not been replaced for a long time, it’s likely wearing down from age and general wear. Cracks can be the result of a poor or unprofessional repair job, like creating too much tension from over-tightening the bolts that connect to the tank or by putting the lid back on too aggressively.

This is why it’s not recommended for average people to attempt most plumbing fixes on their own. Another reason behind cracking porcelain is a sudden change in temperature, which is a familiar problem for cottage bathrooms during harsh winters. This can be prevented by regulating the indoor temperature with the thermostat during the colder times of the year, even if you are not in the building.

Don’t get caught by surprise and come home to find water coating the floor or dripping through the ceiling. With a little foresight and the help of a professional plumbing company, you can protect your house from these disasters and keep it dry all year long.