The varied plumbing landscape in Vincent means that desperate plumbing needs vary from one house to the next. When there's an emergency plumbing situation, there's no time to waste. And in this regard, the Vincent plumber has a very prominent role to play. We've already mentioned the term "emergency" several times thus far. On Page 3 of this very book, the term "emergency plumbing" is defined. When we talk about a plumbing emergency, we are referring to situations in which people absolutely must have access to clean, running water and functioning drainage—and in which encountering any sort of plumbing problem would be tantamount to a disaster. Burst pipes, severe toilet malfunctions, and water heater failures (particularly in the winter) could all be counted as plumbing emergencies.
In Vincent, problems with sewer lines and clogged drains often need emergency plumbing services. Unpleasant odors emanate from toilets and barely functioning drains, while the plumbing system as a whole seems to be on the verge of a total meltdown. Emergency plumbing technicians, however, have specialized tools that can quickly diagnose the problem and restore some semblance of order to your life. What's more, beating the problem into submission with a large quantity of killer chemicals is not going to happen. Such measures are not only hazardous to your health, but also to the environment, and far less effective than using a plumbing snake (also known as an auger), which is a more common tool for correcting straight-line problems in the water flow of a pipe.
Problems with the plumbing in Vincent can sometimes lead to emergencies, including failing sump pumps and malfunctioning gas lines. These situations, when they do occur, need to be addressed immediately. A sump pump on the fritz in your basement can lead to flooding—something that demands nearly immediate attention to avoid serious water damage. Problems with gas lines are just as critical, as they can potentially lead to dangerous gas leaks. Plumbers who handle these kinds of emergencies are typically licensed to deal with gas safely, and they can make repairs without endangering either themselves or the people who live in the house. A kitchen with a jammed garbage disposal can also count as an emergency situation, especially if you happen to need the kitchen for meal preparations. There's no way to live comfortably without using the kitchen sink, and plumbing problems of any kind in the kitchen can lead to all sorts of convenience issues.