How to Handle a Plumbing Emergency
When your home has a plumbing emergency, it’s important to stay calm so that you can effectively deal with it. Not every plumbing emergency will result in damage to your home, but some can cause extensive damage if not handled promptly and correctly.
Assess the Situation
First, see if you can identify the problem. If you can tell how severe the emergency is, it will help in taking care of it. Gather information so that you can explain what’s happening to a plumbing company.
Cut the Water Supply
If the problem is localized, turn off the valve. There’s one behind toilets and under sinks. If the problem is more widespread, turn off the main water valve. You should learn where the main water valve is so that you can quickly turn it off in an emergency. It’s often near the water meter.
Shut Off Your Water Heater
You should turn off your water heater as it could overheat and burst. Turn off the gas first if you have a gas water heater, and then, shut off the power.
Open Drains
You should open drains and spigots as there is still water in the pipes. Use a garden hose to spray water away from the foundation of your home.
Clean Up
Use towels and buckets, or preferably a wet vac if you have one, to clean up areas of your home with standing water. This will limit the amount of water damage to your home. If a pipe is still leaking water, cover the hole with duct tape as a temporary solution.
Call a Licensed Plumber
Call a plumber that offers emergency repairs. Many offer 24/7 emergency service, so don’t wait until the morning to call. While emergency repairs may be expensive, they’re less expensive than extensive water damage.
Marklein Plumbing in Ramona, CA, has expert plumbers who can fix your problem. Our services include drain cleaning, pipe repair, sewer lines, toilet installation and repair, faucet installation and repair, and more. Whether you need anything from a water filtration system to garbage disposal repair, please call today.
