When owning a home, plumbing issues and emergencies can happen when you least expect them. Having a plan in place and being prepared for the next time a plumbing emergency occurs in your home could not only save your home from further unnecessary damage but also save you money. Knowing where your main water shutoff valve is and by learning the signs and the proper steps to handling common plumbing scenarios that may occur will benefit you and your home in the long run.
Remain Calm
The word “emergency” is often synonymous with “panic”. Rule number one when handling a plumbing emergency is to replace the chaos of the word panic, with a relative calmness and positivity. Keeping your cool will help minimize damage to your home. While calmly analyzing the situation at hand, always remember to give your trusted local plumber a call.
Shut off the Water
No matter the plumbing issue, your first step should be turning off your water supply immediately. For toilets, this can be done by simply turning off the valve at the base or behind the toilet. For larger issues such as flooding, you will want to turn off the main water shutoff valve in your home.
Tackle Smaller Leaks
Smaller leaks are less daunting, and typically can be temporarily fixed while you wait for your local plumber. Having certain resources like plumbers tape, old rags and buckets at the ready will be significant in terms of putting a temporary stop towards leaks. Even though it may seem like a small leak now, it could be associated with a larger problem. It is recommended that you book a consultation with your local plumber to get the problem fixed.
Open Drains and Spigots
There is a high chance of water remaining in your pipes even after the main valve is shut off. Prevent further damage to your home by removing this water by turning on any spigots that are outside of your home. Additionally, avoid using chemical cleaners in your pipes during an emergency because they have the potential to cause more harm.
Call Your Local Plumber
There are various types of plumbing emergencies, and it is extremely difficult to know the right way to solve these issues on your own. Despite the panic, always remember to call a local plumber as soon as you discover any form of water damage with an undefined source, or if you are in any way unsure of how to handle a plumbing situation. Get in touch with Wellbrook Plumbing as your number one trusted resource to fix any plumbing issue.