6 Steps to Take During a Plumbing Emergency
Whether you’re enjoying a lazy Sunday or a Christmas get-together, your plumbing system works hard for you throughout the year. But if you’re a homeowner, you know it’s only a matter of time before a plumbing issue happens. Unfortunately, these are almost an inevitability. So, the best plan against these emergencies is knowing what to do if they occur.
Rather than panic, these steps should ensure that you limit the damage and fix the problem before it causes a catastrophe in your house. Here’s what you should know if that fateful day finally comes.
1. Identify the Source of the Problem
Whether you notice water on the bathroom floor, in the basement, or somewhere else in the house, you should identify the source of the problem. By narrowing down the source of the issue, you can relay the information to a plumber and find the nearest shutoff valve to stymie the problem.
2. Turn Off the Water
The next step during any plumbing emergency is to shut off the water. Water fixtures such as sinks and toilets should have a valve that you can use to shut off the water supply.
However, burst pipes or leaks from other areas may require you to turn off the main water valve. This is usually located in either the garage, basement, or somewhere on the exterior edge of your house. Turn this off immediately if you can’t locate the exact source of the problem.
3. Contact our Plumbers
Once you have the water off, the next step is to call a plumber. At Express Plumbing, we offer emergency services 24/7 including holidays and weekends. This call can help you avoid the potential for more damage.
4. Soak Up the Water
While waiting for the plumber, you can clean up some of the mess. Use towels to soak up excess moisture — preferably cloth towels instead of paper towels. You can wring out the towels as you use them and reduce waste simultaneously.
If the water is from the toilet, make sure that you wear gloves and other protective gear to eliminate the chance of illness from human waste.
5. Remove the Rest of the Water From Your Pipes
Even after you shut off the main water valve, water will remain in your pipes. The only way to purge the water from your pipes is to turn on your water fixtures. Turn on the sinks, showers, and spigots around your house to remove any remaining water. Hopefully, this will stop the leak altogether.
6. Turn Off Your Water Heater
During a plumbing emergency, excess water and gas buildup can severely damage your water heater or cause it to overheat. As such, you should always turn off your water heater to limit or avoid damage. If you have a gas water heater, make sure to turn off the gas before you turn off the water heater itself.
Always Hire a Reputable Plumber
Even in an emergency, hiring a reputable plumber is advisable. An experienced plumber with solid reviews ensures that you resolve the plumbing issue in minimal time at a reasonable cost. Hopefully, you never have a catastrophic plumbing issue. But if you do, our plumbers can at least give you a bit of solace.
Contact us today for all your commercial plumbing and residential plumbing in the Bay Area. We’ve been helping our customers for multiple decades and look forward to serving you.
