A plumbing emergency is usually associated with flooding in your home. This could be due pipes bursting or the water heater leaking, a flooded basement, clogged drains or an overflowing toilet. You need to call a “plumber near me” right away if there is a plumbing emergency in your home or if there’s a risk of flooding. Remember, water damage can jeopardize your home’s foundation so make sure you proactively do something about it to prevent more damage.
What to Do in a Plumbing Emergency
When there’s flooding or a risk of flooding, the first thing you need to do is not call a “plumber near me” right away but turn off your water to prevent further damage to your plumbing. This is why we recommend homeowners install several shut-off valves to make it easier to turn off the water when there’s a plumbing emergency. Don’t just install one in the basement because it might be difficult to turn off your water when the basement starts flooding as well and you have electrical appliances installed there. Call a “plumber near me” to install several shut-off valves. Put them in the kitchen, in the laundry room, near your water heater and in the bathroom.
If you have a gas-powered water heater and your gas detector suddenly goes off, never attempt to do any repairs on your own to avoid accidents. Instead, open all the windows so that your home gets proper ventilation. As soon as you’ve opened the windows and doors, the next step is to call a “plumber near me” for an inspection and resolution.
Clogged drains and an overflowing toilet are also plumbing emergencies that need to be addressed right away. Contact a plumber right away so they can take care of the problem. If it’s just a minor clogged drain, you may be able to resolve it by using a drain snake or by pouring boiling hot water down the drain. However, be careful with boiling water as you might end up damaging the pipes. Don’t use boiling water if you have older pipes at home. Also, make sure you don’t use chemical-based drain cleaners when unclogging the drains.
For the toilet, try to use a plunger to fix the problem. You can also just call a “plumber near me” right away to alleviate the issue. With all other plumbing emergencies, you need to get a hold of a plumber near you.
What Not to Do in a Plumbing Emergency
When there’s a plumbing emergency, the first thing you need to prioritize is your safety. Never go near the water especially when you have electrical appliances as you might get electrocuted. If you can’t turn off the water, just wait for the plumber.
If there’s a gas leak or the pipes have burst, please never attempt to do repairs on your own, for your safety. Always call a “plumber near me” as they are better trained and they have the right experience.
For homeowners with insurance, you might want to take photos of the damage as you might use it. However, don’t spend too much time with it. You need to clean up right away to prevent mold growth.
You need to also avoid calling an unlicensed plumber to help with any repairs. They don’t have insurance so if they get injured while doing repairs, you may have to pay for their medical expenses. By hiring a licensed plumber, you don’t just get an assurance of a job well done, these professionals are also insured so if there’s an accident, the insurance company can take care of the job. Don’t worry though, licensed plumbers prioritize their safety most of all and they also have safety gear and tools to ensure you, your home and your family are safe.
How to Avoid a Plumbing Emergency
Below are some tips from a “plumber near me” on avoiding a plumbing emergency. You can prevent costly repairs and save more money with these tips. If you have questions, feel free to contact us anytime.
Get routine plumbing inspections. You can extend the life of your plumbing and avoid costly repairs with regular inspections. During the appointment, a plumber will check all components of your system to ensure everything is in good condition. He will also try to identify issues that might lead to a catastrophic problem later and will try to resolve them.
Protect the pipes. If you have older pipes, consider upgrading them to either copper or PVC. Avoid clogged drains by installing strainers and getting a professional drain cleaning service. To avoid burst pipes, make sure you insulate them during winter.
Maintain the water heater. It’s easy to maintain the water heater because you just need to drain the tank to remove the sediment buildup. It’s also recommended you call a “plumber near me” to professionally inspect your unit and ensure it’s good and your water is clean.
Call Covenant Plumbing Today
If you need a “plumber near me,” you’ve contacted the right plumbing company. We are a trusted company in the area that helps both homeowners and businesses. When it comes to providing repairs and installation services, rest assured that you can always rely on our plumbers. Our team always gives it their best to keep our customers happy and to permanently resolve the issue. Customers trust us because we’re capable plumbers who can get the job done right the first time and there’s no plumbing issue we can’t fix. Call us if your water heater leaks or the pipes burst, and we’re always here to provide assistance.
Get in touch with Covenant Plumbing today for an appointment.
See our most recent blog on this topic here.