Most D.C. area homeowners who have owned a home long enough are familiar with emergency repairs. These are repairs that need to be done right away, or else it could cause lasting damage to your property. In worst case scenarios, your family’s health and safety could be endangered if repairs are not done right away. This is a scary situation, which is why preparedness is crucial. This article will provide some tips on how to handle emergency repairs here in the D.C. area.
What Constitutes An Emergency Repair?
An emergency repair is a repair that would need to happen urgently in order to maintain the health and safety of you and your family, as well as the integrity of your home. Such repairs might include gas main breaks, power outages, broken pipes, and clogged drains. There are several more repair situations that would constitute an emergency, but the preceding list highlights some of the most common emergency repairs. It is recommended that you have the number of a trusted 24-hour service provider on hand, so that you are ready to call as soon as an emergency repair is needed. You should have the contact info of a variety of service providers, as your repair needs will differ. For example, you will want to have the contact information of a good electrician on hand for power outages, and the number of some plumbers or drain services in DC., in case you have a major clog.
Have A Plan In Place
Planning is key in emergency situations. If you believe that the situation is putting you and your family in urgent danger (for example, a gas leak) you will want to have a place where you can stay on short notice, until the repair is made. This could be the house of a relative or friend, or it could even be a hotel that you know will have rooms available. Sit down and make a list of some places to stay before any emergency happens, so that when it does, you know exactly where to turn. Some preparations can be made in the home itself. For example, you help can prepare for a power outage by keeping flashlights or lanterns in every room, so that you can move around safely in the dark. It is also recommended that you have an icebox and ice handy, so that your perishable food doesn’t spoil when your refrigerator stops functioning.
Do Not Panic
Sometimes, in emergency situations, people spend hours planning, but forget to act on those plans amidst the stress of the situation. For this reason, if you ever find yourself facing an emergency as a D.C. homeowner, it is important that you keep your cool and stick to your plans. Sit down with the other members of your family and communicate your plans to them, so that they are ready in case an emergency should ever pop up. By staying calm and sticking to the plan, you can stop a huge headache from becoming something much worse.