(Newswire.net — March 31, 2022) — No one can predict when a plumbing emergency may occur. It can strike right in the middle of the night or early morning when you are about to leave for work. Plumbing emergencies, such as a burst pipe or a clogged toilet, leave you with little time to react when they strike. Knowing what to do when a plumbing emergency arises can help you manage the situation until an emergency plumber arrives. The following are eight helpful tips for handling plumbing emergencies at home.
1. Turn off Water Supply in Your Home
When a flooding-related plumbing emergency occurs, you should start by shutting off your water supply. If you don’t know the location of your main water supply valve, ask your local plumber. Turning off water during a plumbing emergency, such as a burst pipe, limits damages to your home. It reduces the chances of flooding in your home.
If you spot a leak in one of your home fixtures, such as a tap, shut off the fixture’s valve. The valve is usually located at the base or behind the plumbing fixture. Closing the valve ensures that your home continues to have a constant water supply as you work on the fixture repairs.
2. Manage Minor Leaks
If you detect a minor leak in your home, you can contain it using several ways. First, put a bucket to collect the drips. Then, if you have basic plumbing skills, you can temporarily stop the leak as you wait for your plumber to arrive from teamemergencyplumber.com.
Even though some leaks involving fixtures, such as faucets, may not be significant, never ignore them. With the ever-rising cost of living, any idea to save a coin is always welcome. Always contain the leaks. Failing to take care of the leaks may lead to increased utility bills.
Some DIY measures to contain minor leaks include wrapping the leaking area with a plumber’s tape. These DIY measures should come after shutting off the water supply valve. If the tape is not working, use equipment such as a sleeve clamp. All these DIY measures serve to forestall damages to your home as you wait for your local pro.
3. Identify Blocked Drains
One way to identify a clogged drain is the characteristic slow drainage. In addition, a clogged drain has a characteristic foul smell. Call your local emergency plumber immediately after noticing any of the above signs. Flushing grease, fat, and female hygienic products down the drain could cause clogging. Do not flush these items down your drains. Instead, keep these items in a separate trash bin. That way, you will avoid costly repairs in the future.
If you are experiencing a clogged drain, you can attempt DIY repairs. Some of the things you can do include using a plunger to try and unclog the drains. Contact a local emergency plumber if you cannot fix your clogged drains despite trying all safe DIY tricks.
4. Avoid Using Drain Cleaners
You may be tempted to use drain cleaners when facing a blocked drain. The repercussions, however, outweigh the benefits of using drain cleaners. The chemical agents may be effective in unclogging your blocked drain, but they may damage your pipes.
If you are experiencing a clogged drain, calling a local emergency plumber is the best option. A pro can quickly diagnose the cause of the clog and clean it effectively. The pro can also advise you on how to prevent future drain clogs.
5. Switch off Your Water Heater
If you are experiencing plumbing issues with your water heater, turn it off immediately. Failure to switch off the water heater with speed may result in electric or gas line issues. Turning the heater off forestalls fires and overheating. After switching it off, contact your local emergency plumber. Do not attempt to undertake DIY repairs. You may worsen an already bad plumbing problem.
6. Drain Away Water Remaining in Pipes
Pipes in your home may still have water trapped inside them even after shutting off the main water supply. Make a point of draining the remaining water far away from your home. This action will help you isolate a leak in your plumbing system and reduce the chances of flooding in your home.
7. Contact Your Local Emergency Plumber
After taking every measure to reduce damages to your home, contact your local emergency plumber. Given that a plumbing disaster can strike at any moment, you need to have a plumber who is available 24/7. In addition, you need an experienced, well-trained, and properly licensed plumber.
8. Clean Up Your Home after a Plumbing Emergency
When a plumbing disaster like a burst pipe strikes, it might leave a mess behind. The disaster may cause flooding in your home. If this occurs, you will need to clean up your home while also taking care of other personal items. You can mop the excess water off your floor. Besides protecting your personal belongings, this cleanup eliminates the risk of slip-and-fall accidents.