Any homeowner or tenant confronted with an emergency plumbing repair can feel stressed. Leaking pipes, ruptured water heaters, clogged drains, and other plumbing problems can cause extensive property damage if unresolved. But knowing how to handle an emergency plumbing repair can help you reduce the damage and avoid more costly repairs.
This article will provide steps to follow in such an emergency to help you feel more at ease and prepared to deal with plumbing repair issues.
Plumbing Emergency: What Is It?
Before learning how to deal with a plumbing emergency, you must first understand which plumbing issues are an emergency.
At its core, a plumbing issue is considered an emergency if it suddenly occurs and causes more damage than usual. It often involves severe damage to the property and may compromise the safety of the occupants.
Generally, some of the common plumbing situations considered an emergency include the following:
- Burst pipes
- Water flooding
- Sewage leaks and backups
- Extensive water leaks
- Water heater failure
- Gas leaks
Dealing with Emergency Plumbing: 5 Steps To Follow
- Call A Reputable Plumber
You should immediately pick up your phone and call a trusted plumbing service at the first sign of an emergency plumbing problem. It would be best if you have a plumber on speed dial. If you don’t have one yet, it’s time to find a trustworthy plumber you can call during an emergency.
Do your research and start looking for a reliable plumber in your area. Remember that an ideal plumber should have a stellar online reputation. Typically, most plumbing companies have a profile on review websites like Fergusons Plumbing on the Word of Mouth online site, which shows reviews and testimonials from real clients.
Furthermore, a professional plumber should be available 24/7, especially for plumbing emergencies. They can provide short-term remedies and return later that day or the next to give a more permanent solution. This is especially true if the emergency occurs in the middle of the night or on holiday. Nevertheless, they can also address the issue promptly if the harm is severe.
- Switch Off Your Main Water And Power Line
Even if you don’t know much about your plumbing system, you should at least know the location of your main line valve. This valve lets you temporarily shut off your water lines to stop leaks and minimize water damage.
Notably, it’ll be located near the street, especially if you get your supply from your local municipality. However, some valves are located in the basement. On the other hand, if you get your water from a private well, it should have a large water tank connected to the valve.
In addition to the water line, you should also switch off the main power supply, especially if the water damage or leak is severe. After all, electricity and water are never a good match. Turning off the electricity allows you to assess the damage around your home without the risk of electrocution.
Please note that you may have to do this before calling a reputable plumber in case of extensive and rapid damage.
- Drain The Water
After turning off the main water line, drain the remaining water from your plumbing. You can do this by simply turning on all faucets, emptying the plumbing pipes to stop leaks, or diverting water away from the potential location of the issue.
- Identify The Problem
While you wait for the plumber, you can assess the situation and identify the potential source of the problem. This way, you can brief the plumber and find a quick solution upon their arrival.
However, this only applies to plumbing issues that are more visible and easier to diagnose, such as burst pipes. With problems like sewage backup, calling in the experts is advisable. Due to its health risk, you should never attempt to diagnose what caused your sewage to back up and create flooding.
- Start Cleaning And Salvaging Properties
It’s safe to begin cleaning and salvaging your valuables as long as the water is not blackwater or sewage water.
The first step is to dry off the area as much as possible. It would be best to act quickly to prevent further damage to the surrounding structures, furniture, and personal belongings. You can use plastic to protect your belongings or move them to a dry area.
As you wait for the plumber, you should take all necessary steps to dry up the area and secure your items. Once they arrive, you can allow them to do the remaining tasks.
Takeaway
Maintenance is the best defense against severe plumbing problems, but emergencies sometimes happen. Remember that most homeowners will experience at least one plumbing emergency, regardless of how well they care for their plumbing systems.
Therefore, if you don’t want to get caught off guard, keeping the above steps and tips in mind can help minimize the potential damage it can cause and resolve your plumbing issue much faster.
