What You Should Do During Plumbing Emergencies
When a plumbing emergency strikes, you need to know what to do next to keep a cool head. While your immediate reaction may be to panic, doing so will only make the situation worse. It can also cause you to do things you should not do that increase the work a plumbing company must do. Whether you see water spreading across the floor, your toilet backing up, or a broken pipe, take some calming breaths and then follow a few key steps.
Turn Off Your Water
Before you grab the phone or do anything else, turn off the water. Your home has two types of shutoff valves. The first is the valve that supplies water to a specific area or item. Look around the base of your toilet to shut off its water supply. Check inside cabinets and closets in your bathroom or kitchen for the sink, shower, or tub shut off valve. The other type of valve is the main water supply. You’ll usually find it on an outer wall or in your basement. During plumbing installation, be sure to ask your plumber where the shutoff valve is located.
Find Your Breaker Box
Electricity and water are a risk combo. During an emergency, take steps to shut off the power if possible. You don’t want a loved one to walk into the room and get a shock that knocks them down or hurts them. There’s a risk you might hurt yourself, too. Older homes may have a fuse box that requires you to remove a fuse to shut off power to the room. Newer homes use circuit breakers. You can simply switch the breaker off that controls the room. If the fuse box or circuit breaker is in the room with the plumbing problem, it’s best to avoid the room and call a plumber near me.
Flush the Pipes
You don’t need to wait for a plumber to flush your pipes, but it can save you some problems. After turning off the water, open the faucets or spigots in each room. You should see some water coming out. This is the water that was stuck inside the pipes. Wait until the water stops dripping to close the taps. You also have the choice of leaving them open until an emergency plumbing expert gets to your home. It’s often helpful to shut off your water heater, too.
Contact the Water Company
Once you shut off the water and flush the pipes, reach out to the water company in your area. This is key because you want to know who is responsible for the damage. You are responsible for problems caused by anyone in your family or the plumbing system itself. For example, you might have a damaged toilet because one of your kids tried to flush some of their toys. On the other hand, the city might take the blame because a worker damaged the sewer line. The company may even come out to make sure they’re not responsible.
Use Towels and Fans
The longer that you leave puddles of water around your home, the more damage it can cause. If you see any liquid on the ground, take steps to clean it up. Put down old towels or blankets to soak up large puddles. On warm days, open the windows and let the heat from the outside dry some of the water. You can also use fans to circulate the air and dry the water faster. It’s easy to take care of the water before you call for expert plumbing services.
Call a Plumber
While an emergency can knock you off your feet, calling a professional for the necessary plumbing repairs will help you stay calm. Let the plumber know what type of emergency you have and any steps you already took to control the problem. The best company will send someone out as soon as possible, even if it’s early in the morning or late at night. They’ll come loaded with the tools and supplies needed to get your plumbing system back on track.
When faced with a plumbing emergency, don’t hesitate to reach out to Charlotte Plumbing Masters for prompt and efficient solutions. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
