Top Six Things To Do When You Are Facing A Plumbing Emergency

Plumbing emergencies occur without any warning. They often catch you unprepared. The unpreparedness often results in panic and confusion. You may be tempted to tend to the emergency without professional help, and you end up causing extended damages.

In times of plumbing emergencies, having a professional plumber’s contact information can come in handy. With just a single call, your expert local plumber can arrive promptly to safely and effectively handle your emergency. Time is vital in plumbing emergencies. It is crucial to understand what you need to do to prevent further damage.

When facing a plumbing emergency, do not get nervous and fail to act. It would be best to stay calm and relaxed to make rational decisions to control the problem. You should be in a position to hold things together until your plumber arrives to make the necessary repairs. The following are a few tips on responding to an emergency before a plumber arrives.

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1. Turn Off The Water

In a plumbing emergency, such as a leaking faucet or overflowing toilet, you should start by turning off the water supply to the particular point of leakage. Isolating the water supply will help prevent further water damage and flooding.

If you cannot locate the isolation valve or the water flow does not seem to be contained, shut off the main water supply to the house. It is usually located outside the house and close to the water meter.

In preparation for such emergencies, you should identify all the water valves in your home in advance, including the primary and secondary valves. You can walk around the house with your plumber to do your explorations.

The local plumber from teamemergencyplumber.com will help you locate the valves and offer additional information about your plumbing system. This knowledge is valuable, as it saves time when a plumbing disaster strikes.

2. Turn Off The Water Heater

Turning off the water heater can prevent escaping water from scolding the occupants during a major emergency. It can also prevent damage to the appliance caused by heating an empty or leaking tank.

If you shut off the water and leave the water heater running, you make it vulnerable to overheating or even bursting. If you are using a gas or electric water heater, shut off the electricity and turn off the gas before switching off the water heater. Don’t turn off the water heater if you are dealing with minor plumbing issues.

3. Take Care of Small Leaks

Small leaks should never be underestimated, as they can cause costly structural damage to your building. If you spot them early, they can be easy to control. You can place empty buckets to collect water or close the leaks using adhesive tape. Wrapping old towels and rugs at the leak can reduce flooding by dampening the water flow until the plumber arrives.

4. Empty The Pipes And Spigots

After shutting off the water supply and water heaters, open up the drain and outdoor fixtures to flush out the water remaining in the pipes. Opening the faucets until they run dry can help divert excess water from the leak. It is preferable to drain your water pipes outside the house to avoid worsening things.

If you are facing a clogged drain, you can use a home plunger to clean the drain. Don’t use drain cleaning chemicals during a plumbing emergency. These chemicals can easily turn a simple issue into a complex and costly plumbing problem.

5. Clean As Much As You Can

In case of overflows or leaks, water may be flowing on the floor or walls. Before your plumber arrives at your house, try cleaning as much water as possible. Safeguard all electrical appliances to avoid the risk of electrocution. Where the leakage is near the main electrical supply valve, you should consider turning off the main electrical switch.

The flooding water can damage your floors, mats, and other utilities, resulting in increased expenses and risk to the health of the occupants. Use old towels and mops to wipe out the water and remove the furniture that has been water damaged to dry completely.

6. Call A Reliable Emergency Plumber

Call an emergency plumber if you cannot control the emergency even after trying all the above steps. It is essential to find reliable and experienced plumbing services to help you in such a situation. Regardless of the extent of the plumbing disaster, always contact the pros to get help and advice. During your call, give as much detailed information as possible about your situation.

Take your cell phone with you around the house as you examine the areas where water may be gushing or pooling. In doing so, you have an accurate answer regarding the specific nature of your problem.

Most companies will give free quotes online, while some will see the problem first. Always make sure you have the contact of a trusted plumber to avoid falling into the wrong hands that take advantage of you during emergencies. Fast response time is vital. You should always know whom to call for emergency plumbing services.