Have you ever been caught off guard by a burst pipe or a water heater failure in the dead of winter? Or have you ever woken up to a flooded basement and found yourself at a loss for a response?
Encountering a plumbing emergency at any moment can startle and leave you scrambling for help. While it’s understandable to catch yourself in a panic, it’s more important to stay calm so you can attend to your urgent situation appropriately.
When you land in a plumbing emergency once again, follow this guide from Home Heroes Plumbing Heating and Air on how to handle your time-sensitive situation.
Shut Off Your Water Supply
Before urgently calling a local plumber, you should take a few steps to prevent the problem from getting worse—starting with closing your water supply line. Turn off the immediate valve for the affected fixture, or fasten your main water shut-off valve.
You must do the same when the emergency is a gas line leak. Immediately turn off all your gas appliances and quickly shut off your main gas line valve while opening your windows and doors to let the flammable fumes escape faster.
This first response is key to preventing water damage or the risk of fire or explosion in the case of a gas leak. Once the main line is shut, your pipes will be relieved of the pressure, effectively setting aside the risk of additional leaks or burst pipes.
Identify The Problem
Now that you’ve temporarily tamed the problem, it’s time to identify its origin. Inspect the immediate surroundings and look for signs of failure, such as broken pipes, loose wiring, disconnections, or damaged fixtures.
List down all the issues you suspect to be out of the ordinary. These bits of information will help your emergency plumber diagnose the problem and do the plumbing repair more quickly. Also, identifying the source of your plumbing emergency will help you plan the best course of action and take the right precautionary measures.
Call a Plumber
Even when you’re able to do a quick fix, you can’t simply neglect to call a reliable plumber for a more comprehensive inspection and repair. Call your local plumbing company that offers emergency plumbing services and provide them with the initial details of your personal inspection to speed up their service.
And while they’re on the line, ask them to walk you through the basics. Verify with them what to do or what not to do to ensure your and your family’s safety. Also, confirm with them their time of arrival so you can prepare accordingly.
Contain the Situation
While help is on its way, you can contain the damage or prepare the work area in the meantime. If you’re dealing with a leak, you can soak up the excess water or dry the area with a towel or a vacuum.
You can also create a makeshift barrier to prevent the flooding from reaching other areas in your home. If you’re dealing with a clog, make sure to explore DIY unclogging remedies to alleviate the problem at least. It’s also best to isolate the affected area so no one can access it and potentially harm themselves or leave more mess. All these steps will help limit the existing damage, maintain the safety of everyone, and set the stage for a smoother and faster plumbing repair.
Document The Damage
And finally, don’t forget to take a snap of the damage and the nearby area. Documenting the damage will help you win an insurance claim while having an image of the immediate work area can provide a reference for accountability in case your emergency plumber makes a turn for further damage.
Don’t Know Who To Call During a Plumbing Emergency? Home Heros Plumbing Heating and Air Got You Covered!
Urgent plumbing needs require urgent response and solutions, but that doesn’t mean you should simply call anyone whose number you stumbled upon first. Ensure that you’re partnering with a dependable emergency plumber who will not only be at your front door promptly but also has the right experience and expertise to tackle such a rapid-response scenario.
At Home Heroes Plumbing Heating and Air, you’re not just paying for a quick fix but availing a thorough solution that goes straight to the bottom of any emergency. Whether it’s a major clog or a burst pipe, you can bank on our emergency plumbing techs to tackle them quickly.
So, get ahead of your high-stakes plumbing crisis– connect with us today!
