Plumbing emergencies are one of those things that just happen when you own a home. They’re unpredictable, unavoidable, and require a fast and effective response to prevent things from getting out of hand. However, most people don’t know how to respond when they find themselves facing a dire plumbing emergency, and that means mistakes that could prove costly.
If you want to avoid the hassle and stress of repairing a plumbing emergency, check out these five tips for things you should do in the event of a plumbing emergency. Who knows? They could prove to be the difference between a minor hiccup and a total disaster.
Shut Off Your Water
The first thing you should do when faced with a serious emergency in one of your water lines is shut off your water. The water in your pipes is under significant pressure, and this pressure can often contribute to emergencies getting worse and worse as well as spreading throughout your home. Shutting off your water flow will not only alleviate this pressure but stop water from escaping and potentially spreading throughout your home.
Your water shutoff is typically located near the front of your home, often in a box with a green plastic lid or cover. Turning the valve in this box clockwise will close off your water flow. However, you might also want to look either in your garage, in a closet near the front of your home, or even out near your water meter for your shutoff valve if you can’t find it elsewhere.
Contain the Damage as Much as Possible
The key to a successful and fast cleanup is to contain water damage as much as possible. This isn’t always easy—water can get into the smallest of cracks, and can cause tremendous damage in even small amounts. However, if you are able to respond quickly, you might be able to prevent the issue from spreading any further than necessary.
For example, if a suddenly damaged faucet is leaking water under your sink, use a bucket to contain the dripping as much as possible. Switch the bucket out and empty it periodically until you can get your water shut off. This might cause a little bit of damage beneath your sink, but doing so can save your flooring and even your foundation.
Check for Immediate Causes
Sometimes you can immediately tell what is causing your problem. A quick visual check will typically reveal the source of your issue and allow you to respond accordingly. However, if you can’t necessarily see the problem directly, look for where symptoms might be coming from. For example, a huge wet spot on your floor or wall is a pretty strong indication that you have a burst pipe somewhat near that location. Knowing where your problem is and learning more about what it might be will allow you to make a better decision as to how to address the problem going forward.
Shut Off Power, If Necessary
Water and power don’t mix, plain and simple. However, we use electrical power near water sources quite often. When something goes wrong with your plumbing, accidental exposure to electrical power can greatly increase danger and injury risk in that area. If your plumbing emergency is located near an electrical source, such as an outlet, light switch, or electrical device, shut off the power to that particular area of your home at your circuit breaker panel right away.
For example, a burst water line feeding your washing machine could carry significant risk by accidentally getting your electrical outlets wet. After shutting off your water, shut off your power before attempting to contain and clean up the damage in this area.
Call an Emergency Plumber Right Away
The key to a faster and more reliable repair is to have it done by a professional. Sometimes, plumbing problems simply can’t wait, and a 24/7 emergency plumber will make sure you don’t have to. Make the call to a plumber right away and have a technician come out to investigate the issue. After a thorough inspection, they should be able to tell you what happened and how to fix the problem, as well as be able to start the repair process.
Anderson Plumbing, Heating & Air is available to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with your plumbing issues! If you have an emergency, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (866) 374-0402 today.