What to Do in a Plumbing Emergency

What to Do in a Plumbing Emergency

A plumbing emergency can be problematic in several different ways. If you experience a flood, burst pipe, or other major problem follow these steps keep damage to a minimum:

 

 

 

 

 

1. Have a plumber’s number on hand – Before facing any plumbing emergency, it have the contact details of a plumber you can trust. This way, if you need plumbing help urgently, you already know whom to contact.

2. Stay calm – When an emergency happens, try to keep a cool head so that you can deal with the problem quickly. Staying calm can allow you to assess the situation and keep from making it worse.

 

What to Do in a Plumbing Emergency

 

3. Shut off water – Immediately shut off your main valve. This keeps more water from flowing (or flooding) and making your existing problem worse. The water main is often located near the water meter. If the problem is localized (e.g. a toilet or faucet leak), you can shut off water at the source with a valve at the bottom or behind the fixture.

4. Drain lines – After shutting off the main water valve, get rid of the remaining water in your pipes. To do this, open outdoor outlets (like hoses and spigots) to drain the water.

 

What to Do in a Plumbing Emergency

 

5. Shut off power – If a leak happens near a power source or appliance, also shut off your electricity to avoid a short circuit, other damage, or danger of electricution.

6. Turn off hot water heater – Your hot water heater can also be at risk during an emergency. The tank can be damaged if heat is applied without any water present. Heaters powered by natural gas can explode, particularly if they start leaking.

 

What to Do in a Plumbing Emergency

 

7. Assess the damage – Understand the damage already done and share this information with the plumber you call. This gives their team a better idea of the problem so they can recommend how to keep it under control until they arrive.

8. Clear the area – Remove your furniture, rugs, and belongings from the area to protect them from water damage. This also clears the way so that plumbers have unobstructed access to the problem.

9. Call the water company – In some cases, the water company may have some insight on the nature of the issue. After reaching out to an emergency plumber, call the city utility determine if the problem is on city property. (If you called a reputable plumbing expert, they’ve probably already advised you on this detail.)

 

What to Do in a Plumbing Emergency

 

If you ever need a plumber for emergencies, call Abbey Plumbing and Mechanical at (905) 822-0521.

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