What to do in a Plumbing Emergency

Plumbing emergencies can happen to anyone at any time. Whether it’s a random occurrence or a problem that has been building for years, they’re sure to cost money and ruin your day. What you do during a plumbing emergency can either limit the damage or make it worse. Follows these tips to keep your emergency as small as possible.

Turn off the water.

This is the first thing you should do for almost all plumbing emergencies. Shutting off the water will stop it from continuing to flow into your house and will minimize damage. If there is only one fixture causing the problem, shut off the water going directly to that fixture. If there is a larger problem, shut off the main valve that can be located somewhere in your home or near your water meter.

Turn your water heater off.

Once your water is off, pressure and hot water can build in your water heater. This can lead to your water heater busting, which would be a plumbing emergency in itself. It can also lead to overheating and could burn someone who uses the hot water for the first time once the water is turned back on. Turn off your water heater to avoid these extra problems.

Open outside spigots.

This will drain the water from your pipes once your water is shut off. By opening the outside spigots, you are directing water outside of your home, which will hopefully lessen the damage inside.

Assess the damage.

Before calling a plumber, try to assess the damage. The more information you provide the plumber beforehand will give them a better idea of the problem when they arrive. This will allow them to fix it faster.

Call a plumber.

Calling a plumber can be the difference between a minor emergency and a major disaster. Whether it is just a leak or your whole house is flooded, a plumber will be able to professionally fix the problem and prevent it from happening in the future.

No one wants a plumbing emergency, but knowing what to do when they happen can make the difference between a small problem and catastrophe. If one should occur, Eastern Plumbing is here to help. Our trained and experienced staff is on call 24/7 and will quickly and professionally fix any emergency you encounter!