Plumbing emergencies can happen when you least expect them. But what do you do if a plumbing emergency does happen? Well the first thing that you should do is call a licensed certified DC emergency plumbing professional to take care of the problem for you. But here are a few tips that might make dealing with a plumbing emergency a little less stressful.
Shut Off The Water
If you’re in the middle of a plumbing emergency, one of the first things you may need to do is turn off the main water supply to your home. This will prevent flooding in an emergency situation. In order to shut off the main water valve, most often you will have to turn the valve clockwise. It is always good to locate your shut off valve prior to any problems, so you know where to go in case of an emergency situation.
Spot Small Leaks
Look around your home for any small leaks that you can take care of as soon as possible. Put rags, towels, or buckets around leaks to temporarily address the problem until a professional plumber arrives. It may be a good idea to have some plumber’s tape handy as well.
Watch Your Water Heater
In a plumbing emergency be sure to keep an eye on your water heater. You may need to turn it off in order to prevent further damage. Water heaters, electric, and gas are dangerous things and should only be worked on by professionals. If you feel you may need to turn off your water heater, explain what is happening to the plumber on the phone, and ask him if you need to do anything before he arrives. He’ll know best, and be able to offer guidance.
Drains And Spigots
After you shut off the main water supply, there will be water in the pipes. Remember to open the drains and spigots so that the water can drain away. This holds true for drains and spigots on both the inside and outside of your home. Don’t use any harsh chemical drain cleaners, because they can cause even more damage.
Listen
During an extreme emergency you may be ordered to leave your home for your own safety. If you’re instructed to do so, do as you’re told. It could save the lives of both you and your family in an emergency situation.
Examples Of Common Plumbing Emergencies
So how do you know if your plumbing problem is an emergency? Plumbing emergencies are any situation that compromises the health or safety of you or your family. Some examples of plumbing emergencies are things like extremely hot water. If your water is hot enough to burn your skin, it’s an indication of a problem with your water heater. Leaking water heaters should also be considered a plumbing emergency. Other examples of plumbing emergencies are things like frozen pipes or leaking pipes, overflowing toilets, waste smells, gas leaks or noisy garbage disposals. If you encounter any of these situations call a professional plumber right away.