Water can cause damage to a home extremely quickly. It’s not surprising then, that when occupants have to deal with unexpected leaks, they often get extremely frazzled and don’t know how to respond.
Read below for some advice that could help you stay level-headed before an emergency plumber arrives. When you know what to do the next time you hear the ominous sound of a major water leak and notice you’re dealing with a burst pipe or other similarly urgent issue, you’ll be less likely to automatically feel panicked.
Shut Off the Main Water Supply in an Emergency
Many modern homes are equipped with main valves connected to the water supply. By turning off your valve, it’s possible to stop water from spewing out of a broken pipe or otherwise causing issues. The valve should be located near your home’s water meter, and probably protected by a rectangular lid. Get informed by finding your water supply valve so you can quickly go to it and stop the water before calling an emergency plumber. Toilets and water heaters also have individual water supply valves, so make sure you locate those as well, in case you’re dealing with a leak that’s contained and easy to identify.
Mop Up Standing Water If Possible
The longer there’s standing water in your home, the more likely it is the resulting damage will be severe. While you’re waiting for an emergency plumber to arrive, do what you can to get rid of standing water. If the leak is fairly small, you may be able to make progress by using some very absorbent bath towels. Otherwise, a kitchen mop should do the trick.
Have an Emergency Plumber in Mind
Ideally, you should already have a relationship with a plumber before an emergency strikes. Some service providers will take advantage of the desperation they hear in the voice of a frantic prospective customer and decide to charge inflated rates.
Although you should expect to pay more than usual when a plumber has to come to your home outside of normal business hours and provide urgent service, relying on a company you’ve already done business with in the past should help avoid exorbitant fees.
Hopefully these strategies will help you proactively respond during plumbing emergencies instead of immediately feeling ill-equipped and overwhelmed.
Do you need the services of an emergency plumber? The team at Best Plumbing Services proudly serves the Inland Empire of California and can come to your aid to tackle urgent plumbing problems. Learn more by going to Website Domain.
