Nobody likes the thought of dealing with a plumbing emergency. However, the chances are sooner or later you will experience one. What do you do when it does happen? Read on to find out what to do in a plumbing emergency.
Turn The Water Off
The very first thing you need to do is turn the water off, especially if you find a leak or any other kind of plumbing issue. A small leak may seem harmless, but it can easily cause thousands of dollars in damage to nearby structures. If it’s a faucet or toilet leaking, then find the fixture that sends water to them and turn it off.
In the worse case scenario, turn the main water supply off. Take a look at your water meter because this is the area where the main shut off is usually located. Just make sure you act quickly because you don’t want water to get all over the place.
Assess The Situation
After you’ve turned the water off, you want to assess the situation. Have a look around and determine what kind of damage has been done and where the leak is coming from, if possible. Basically, you want to gather as much info as possible when assessing the area.
When you call the emergency plumber, they’ll ask you a few questions. This is why assessing the damage is a must. You’ll be better prepared and the emergency plumber will be in a better position to let you know whether it’ll be a quick fix or if extensive work will be required.
Call A Plumber
Next, it’s time to contact a plumber. Not all plumbers provide emergency services. Take the time to do quick research on emergency plumbers that serve your area. Better yet, you should do this now because it’s better you have an emergency plumber chosen even before you need their services.
Find a plumber that charges reasonable rates and one that is highly experienced with handling plumbing emergencies. Also, find out what their response time is like because you want to hire a plumber that will arrive as soon as possible and will fix the problem quickly.
The first thing people tend to do in a plumbing emergency is panic. It is a nerve racking experience, but the key is to stay calm and do the above. The next time you are faced with a plumbing emergency, make sure you remember this article.