Own a house? Chances are you’re going to experience a plumbing emergency at some point during your lifetime. Whether it’s day or night, you can be sure a plumbing emergency will occur at the most inopportune time. It’s a good idea to have a trusted plumber’s number on hand so you can call them immediately. It’s also helpful to know what to do and perform basic emergency plumbing repairs. So, take a few minutes to peruse this article. You’ll be glad you did when the emergency strikes.
4 Steps To Take In A Plumbing Emergency
Step 1: Shut Off The Water
When an emergency strikes, turn off the closest water source first! For toilets, simply turn the valve at the base of your commode. For showers, dishwashers, washing machines, or anything else that can spew a lot of water, you’ll need to turn off the main water shut off valve, which can typically be found along the front of your house near a hose bib. Most water valves require you to turn them clockwise for shut off.
Step 2: Call For Help
Call your trusted plumber to come out right away. Also, ask for advice regarding your next steps. A good plumbing company should be ready to walk you through a few things that will keep your family safe and help keep the problem from growing into a larger one.
Step 3: Check Your Water Heater
When you have a major emergency, it’s a good idea to turn off your water heater. This is a preventative measure to ensure the heater doesn’t sustain any damage. Turn the heater off after shutting off the main water valve. If you have a gas water heater, always turn the gas off first. These same rules apply if the water heater is leaking.
Step 4: Open Drains and Spigots
After you’ve turned the main water valve off, there may still be water left in the pipes in your house. To drain the pipes and relieve the pressure, turn on the spigots on the exterior of your home and give the garden hose a few squirts. This will help move water away from your home and potential damage areas.
Step 5: Tackle Small Leaks
If you can, take a moment to look for small leaks. If you find any, use plumbers tape to seal them or place towels around the leak, changing them periodically until the plumber arrives. Be sure to point out the leak in addition to the main issue so that the plumber can conduct a comprehensive emergency plumbing repair.
Plumbing Emergency Examples
Paying for emergency plumbing repairs can cost you more than regular plumbing services so it’s good to know if you really have an emergency on your hands. Here are some common emergency plumbing situations when you’d likely want to call Donley Service Centers’ emergency plumbing repairs line.
Extremely Hot Water
A nice, warm shower can be medicinal after a long day, but if your water is hot enough to cause skin damage, you may have a problem with your water heater. Typically this means your water heater has over-heated. If this happens, turn off the water heater and call us. You will still have access to cool water.
Faucet Drips
No, we’re not suggesting that a dripping faucet is an emergency, but breaking the faucet shut-off valve is. Many homeowners try to tighten the shut-off valve with a wrench and end of breaking the pipe. Instead, tighten it with your hands. Then check the line for leaks. For those familiar with the faucet and its inner-workings, a repair is safe to attempt. However, if you’re unsure, schedule an appointment with a professional.
Leaking Pipes
It’s time for a repairman. There are many home remedies for leaky pipes online, but these are temporary at best. And, from what we’ve seen, can end up shifting the leak to another area, thus causing more damage and raising the cost of repair. Instead, immediately turn off the main shut-off valve for your home and call us. We can not only repair or replace the leaks but also check the rest of your plumbing for any other damage.
Leaking Water Heater
Leaks from a water heater can lead cracks, which can lead to major floods (thankfully most water heaters in Arizona are in the garage). Electric water heaters require that you shut them off at your circuit breaker. Some units have a plug, which you can unplug after the power is shut off at the breaker box. For gas water heaters, you’ll need to turn off the gas line. In most setups, your gas line will connect to a box-like valve at the bottom of your water heater. The gas line is often black, yellow or striped with those colors. Most valves have a red handle and a large arrow showing you the direction to turn it off.
Only attempt this if you are confident you can do so. Otherwise, wait for the emergency plumbing repairman to arrive. For the quickest and the best service, Deer Valley Plumbing is a great option. We have smart, efficient technicians that work quickly to solve your plumbing needs. For more information about our other services or how to avoid plumbing emergencies, please visit our website.