At one point, you may run into a plumbing emergency. Learning how to handle one can give you a measure of control to protect your home and to get a repair service there as soon as possible. Plumbing emergencies can cause panic, but you must keep calm in order to minimize the damage. Here are some steps below to help handle a plumbing emergency.
Shut off the water
Turn off the closest water source as fast as possible. For toilets, this could be turning the valve at the base or behind the commode. For larger emergencies, turn off the main valve in the home. Most water valves just need to be turned clockwise to shut them off.
Check your water heater
In a big emergency, it’s a good idea to turn off the water heater to avoid damage to the unit. Turn off the heater after the main valve is shut off to prevent the heat from welling up inside of it. This will create a risk of it bursting or overheating. If it is a gas water heater, always turn the gas off first.
Approach small leaks
If you find a small leak, try and stop is as soon as possible. This can be done with some plumber’s tapes. You can also put rags and towels around the pipes and put buckets under dripping leaks to stop any further damage. Note these leaks and let the plumbers know about them as soon as they arrive.
Open drains and spigots
There will still be some water in your pipes even after the main water valve is shut off. You can move this water away from your home and prevent any potential damage by turning on any spigots that are outside of your home. Turn on the garden hose to let out a few squirts to make sure it clears out any excess water as well. If you experience a small clog/backup during this process, try to open the drain with a gentler method such as a plunger. Do NOT use any chemical cleaners in your pipes because they may cause more harm than good.
Call a plumber
You can call a plumber while the emergency is occurring. If you call right away, you could end up reducing as much damage as possible because you can get some initial help with the problem. A trained plumbing expert can let you know if the situation is too dangerous for you to handle on your own.
These are just a few of the tips that can help save your home and get you in the right mindset to tackle a plumbing emergency. Remaining calm, cool and collected is the best way to successfully handle any plumbing situation.
If you have any question, call ERM Plumbing today! We will be glad to help!
