Plumbing Emergency? Here’s What to Do
Whether you’re a new homeowner or already living in your forever home, you’ll likely have to deal with a serious plumbing emergency at least once. It’s important to make sure you’re prepared and know exactly what to do to prevent catastrophic damage to your home and property.
Don’t Let Small Plumbing Problems Turn Into Big Ones
Many homeowners will notice a leak or a partially clogged drain and never actually do anything about it. Whether it’s partially a belief that these things will just sort themselves out or the deceptively innocent nature that prevent many homeowners from taking action is unclear, but you can be sure of one thing — small plumbing problems will turn into bigger ones if they go unaddressed.
As soon as you notice any plumbing problem — no matter how seemingly harmless it is — you need to act. If it’s a leaky bathroom faucet that you’re able to fix yourself, then go for it, but make sure it’s done as soon as possible.
However, the majority of even these small plumbing concerns should be looked at and fixed by a professional plumber. Not only are you guaranteed to have the work completed much faster than if you attempt to take it on as a weekend project for yourself, but you’ll also have peace of mind that it’s actually taken care of.
5 Steps for Dealing with a Plumbing Emergency
If a plumbing emergency strikes, it’s essential to stay calm and take action quickly. Here are five steps you should be prepared for:
- Turn off the water
- Check the water heater
- Stop small leaks
- Open spigots & drains
- Call for help
As soon as a plumbing emergency hits, you need to turn off the water source immediately. If it’s a toilet, you can turn off the water valve. However, if it’s an even bigger problem like a burst pipe, turn off your home’s main water valve. Most valves shut off when turned clockwise.
In the event of a serious emergency, switch your water heater off to avoid further damage. If you have a gas water heater, turn the gas off first. Then shut the water heater down after the main valve is shut off.
If you come across a minor leak that can be stopped with some plumber’s tape, do your best to seal it. Otherwise, you can try to place a bucket or some towels around the leak to prevent further damage to your property.
Even when you shut down the main water valve, your pipes will still contain water. To move this water out, you can turn on spigots that are outside your home. If the plumbing emergency involves a clogged drain or backup, you can try to use a plunger but don’t use any kind of chemical drain cleaner — wait for a plumber to arrive.
Perhaps one of the most important steps to take during a plumbing emergency is to call a professional plumber as soon as possible. When you have a reliable team on call, you can trust that they’ll arrive shortly to help.
Rely on Sobieski for All of Your Home’s Plumbing Needs
The best way to avoid plumbing emergencies is to have a plumber conduct regular inspections, but even then required plumbing repairs can pop up or an emergency can happen, so it’s essential you have a trusted team to support you. At Sobieski, our plumbers can handle your Delaware, Maryland, or Pennsylvania home’s plumbing.
Don’t let a plumbing emergency turn into a disaster. Contact us or call 866-477-4404 for plumbing help!
