A plumbing emergency can happen more often than you’d think. They are a part of owning a home that most homeowners don’t really love to talk about. If you’re a homeowner and you run into a plumbing emergency, you should do a few things as soon as the situation occurs in order to manage it properly. Here’s what you should do in a plumbing emergency.
1. Shut Off the Water: The water main coming into your home will keep pumping water from the leak or the broken pipe. Shutting it off is the first priority.
2. Shut Off the Power if Necessary: We all know water and electricity don’t mix. In this case, if a power line hangs over the water or goes through it, switch off power to the circuit immediately.
3. Locate Immediate Causes: Sometimes, it’s pretty apparent what the problem is with your plumbing. A gaping hole in the mains, for example, tells you all you need to know. Finding the problem is the first step towards fixing it.
4. Can You Do it Yourself?: DIY fixes can save you time and money. If you’re handy with a wrench, you might be able to address the problem and save yourself from having to call a professional.
5. Contain the Damage: Water damage can ruin a home. Luckily, with a little forethought, you could shore up your house’s interior and stop the water from getting to places where it would cause some pretty serious damage.
6. Open Drains: Some homes have drains built into specific areas like the bathrooms or the kitchens that allow water to drain out quickly. However, these drains need to be opened by hand in some cases.
7. Trace the Problem: Sometimes, the leak you have is minor, and there isn’t any apparent issue. However, you can usually find where the problem originates with some observation. Sometimes it’s enough to give you a new DIY project.
8. Open Pipes to Drain Them: Because there’s usually water running through your pipes, shutting off the mains won’t immediately get rid of the water. You’ll need to open the lines to clear residual water from them manually.
9. Do NOT use Chemicals: If your emergency is a clogged drain, avoid using chemicals to clear it. Chemicals might cause a worse problem if they come out mixed with the drain water.
10. Call a Professional: Call a professional if you’re at your wits’ end, can’t figure out what’s wrong, or find yourself unable to figure out how to fix it. They’ve been working with plumbing emergencies all their careers. The sooner you call one, the better it will be for you. If you are located in South Florida, call J&R Restoration for expert plumbing services 24/7.
