DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO IN A PLUMBING EMERGENCY?

Familiarize yourself with the following tips to help you remain calm under pressure if the situation ever arises.

LEAKING & BURST PIPES.

1) Isolate the water.

The moment you notice a plumbing issue within your home, such as burst pipes running water you will need to shut off the main water valve to your home as quickly as you can.

The main water valve is generally located outside, on the water meter. The water meter can be hard to find due to overgrown gardens, water meters are generally located somewhere along the front boundary line of your property.

You may find in some cases to shut off the water you may need a spanner or some sort of tool, it is a good idea to know this prior to an emergency and have this tool in a known location.

Shutting off the water supply won’t eliminate the problem, but it will prevent flooding of your home. Additionally, you may not have to shut the water off at the main, depending on where the problem is located. If the leak is directly at the tap or a toilet, you may be able to turn off the water to a specific feature. This will make it easier for you to have access to water in the rest of the home until you can have the issue repaired.

2) Repair a leak as soon as possible.

If you notice that you have a leaking or dripping tap, whether it is in the kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere else, you will want to call a plumber. The reason is that a small leak can result in a high-water bill. Even though it may not seem like a lot of water, it can add up quickly.

Blocked drains.

1) Plungers.

Have a plunger available, each household should have a plunger; this can potentially save you hundreds of dollars. Plungers can be bought from many places and are inexpensive.

How to use a plunger can be seen via the below link.

3 Ways to Use a Plunger - wikiHow

2) Avoid using chemicals.

It may be tempting to go to the store and buy chemicals to pour down your drain. If you have any kind of blockage. Many of these products may end up damaging the pipes from the chemicals. Additionally, you may not know what is blocking the pipe. Plumbers will be able to identify the problem and use the necessary tools in order to get everything working normally once again.

If you find yourself with a plumbing emergency, ask yourself the following questions.

1) Can the issue wait?

Generally, if there is no water flowing out, no sewer overflowing or any kind of gas smell, it’s generally something that can wait till morning.

2) Do you need to use the affected plumbing right away?

If you have a broken toilet or sink and can avoid using it until the morning or if you have a minor leak and can shut off the water valve, you may be able to wait.

3) Will leaving the problem alone cause more damage?

Even if you can’t shut off the water, can you mitigate the damage enough to get you through until the next day? Buckets, rags and other stopgap measures can be used on a slow leak, but never let a problem go unfixed for fear of emergency repair costs if the chance of major damage is high. A serious leak in a bathroom, for example, can affect the floor, ceiling and walls of not just the bathroom but any rooms adjoining it.

Time to call an expert.

1) Assess the Issue.

Review what’s going on so that you can explain the problem to a plumber. When you have burst pipes it’s critical that you shut off the water and then figure out what might have happened. The more you know when you call, the easier it will be to describe the problem. Sending a photo to the plumber will also greatly assist with the correct materials being obtained to repair the problem. The plumbers can then send the appropriate technician and also ensure that there is sufficient equipment on the truck to repair the issue on the initial visit to site saving your wallet.

2) Call as soon as possible.

One of the biggest problems is that homeowners don’t immediately call for after-hours plumbers. They will either help you address your concerns or can attend your property. You can have a plumber come out at any time of the day or night to address the problem. You can even find out estimated costs before having someone out to your home.

By following a few tips, you can minimize the damage and keep everything under control until a plumber arrives.