Did you know that a sizable portion of home repairs are due to water damage from unforeseen plumbing emergencies? Water damage can wreak havoc on your wallet and your beloved home and should be avoided at all costs! Thus, it’s critical for every homeowner to proactively brace for potential plumbing emergencies and know how to take appropriate action when they arise. As your New Albany Plumbing & Drain experts, we’ve pieced together a few helpful hints and tricks that can give you the confidence to know what needs to be done if a plumbing emergency does arise.
How Can You Proactively Prepare for a Plumbing Emergency?
- It is imperative that all mature residents of your house are familiar with the primary water shut-off valve in your home and how to utilize it if an urgent situation occurs.
- Make sure to keep a list of emergency contact numbers for your home insurer and your local plumber in an easily accessible place. While it may not appear important, it can save you from extra stress when facing an unforeseen plumbing emergency.
- Always keep some cleaning items on standby! Instead of disposing of your old towels, rags, and unused buckets, store them in a designated location for easy access when you need them the most. This way, you will always have these essentials right at your fingertips. It’s important to note that swift cleanup will make all the difference in decreasing the risks of potential water damage and necessary repairs.
What Should You Do in a Plumbing Emergency?
- Stay calm. When the kitchen sink starts gushing or your toilet begins to overflow, it’s natural to panic. However, take a deep breath and remember that you can handle this! You got this — now get ready for some problem-solving action!
- Turn off the water supply. Examine the circumstances in front of you and consider how to halt the issue from progressing any further. Depending on your precise scenario, it is likely that turning off the water supply will be necessary. For instance, if a sink needs to be shut down, look for its individual shut-off valve located underneath the fixture. Or perhaps you are dealing with a leaking toilet, then you will want to identify the shutoff valve behind it. If you are unable to find a direct water supply valve to the plumbing component experiencing the issue, you can opt to turn off your home’s main water source as we discussed earlier. Just bear in mind though this will shut off the entire house’s running water.
- Unplug any affected appliances or turn off the electrical supply. Safety must be your top priority! If you find yourself facing a flooding situation, and any of your appliances have gotten soaked, unplug them as soon as possible. In addition, depending on how severe the circumstances are, it may be necessary to turn off the circuit breaker if you notice that any electrical outlets also met with water.
- Call a licensed professional. Trying to handle any plumbing repairs yourself without the proper qualification is not recommended. Once you have stopped the running water and confirmed that there are no imminent electrical dangers, it’s time to hire a professional plumber.
- Clean up. While waiting for the plumber to arrive, it’s wise to get to cleaning as soon as possible. By promptly soaking up any excess water with towels or rags, you may be able to save yourself from costly damage caused by long-term water exposure. Not to mention this will give your plumber a clear area in which they can assess and repair the problem quickly.
Despite preventative maintenance decreasing the odds of plumbing emergencies, sometimes they still occur. To remain one step ahead and avoid unwelcome surprises, we must be ready for all potential scenarios. Prepare yourself in advance so that if something goes wrong, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re equipped to deal with it!
We hope these tips have been enlightening. But if you ever find yourself in a plumbing predicament, don’t worry! New Albany Plumbing & Drain is here to help and can ensure all your plumbing needs are met quickly and efficiently. Count on us for all of your plumbing problems! So, call us today at (614) 245-3319, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!