A plumbing emergency can happen at any moment, causing plenty of damage to your home and valuables. The truth of the matter is that damage can easily be avoided through preparation and some simple tips and tricks. Below is a breakdown of some of our most effective precautionary and mitigation methods.
Be Prepared
By simply being aware of the location of shutoff valves in your homes plumbing, you can easily slow down some of the most common leaks and avoid a true plumbing emergency. Sinks, toilets, outdoor water hoses, refrigerator water dispensers, and more all have their very own water shut off valves. By knowing where these valves are, you can quickly turn off the water to a broken fixture and start to investigate the cause of almost any plumbing emergency. It’s also good to know where the main water shutoff for your home is, as some plumbing emergencies can be bad enough to require the entire homes water be shut off all together. If you have to do this, remember to turn off your water heater’s electrical breaker in order to avoid damaging to the unit from running dry. The main shutoff for your homes water is generally located around the area of your water meter. Take a walk around your home and locate all shutoff valves for future reference – It takes less than 15 minutes, and can pay off big time in the future.
Have a Tool Kit
Having the right tools, together, and in an easily accessible location is beneficial not only for a plumbing emergency, but for any household problem in general. Make sure that you have the necessary tools included in your kit such as:
- adjustable wrench
- socket wrench set
- screwdriver set
- channel locks
- vice grips
- clamps
- rags
Plumbing equipment can be maintained with these simple household tools, and most basic repairs can be made by anybody with basic repair skills. If you don’t feel comfortable making any adjustments or repairs – Don’t. Costly damage can be done from over tightening, stripping or cross threading nuts and bolts.
Analyze & Mitigate the Situation
By following the above tips, you should be prepared to face a plumbing emergency, and in a good situation to make a temporary fix. Often times a plumbing emergency is far less drastic than originally thought. Some things as simple as a loose clamp or worn out o-ring can be the cause of many leaks & water accumulation.
Even an overflowing toilet could be considered a plumbing emergency, which can be easily fixed by turning off its water valve and plunging the bowl until water can pass through it again. This is a no brainer for most people, yet another great trick is to turn on your sink’s cold water faucet to slow down the rising water level in the toilet. In these situations you never needed any tools, simply being aware of your plumbing system was all you needed to avoid catastrophe.
Almost any plumbing emergency can be improved by awareness, and readiness. If you follow these simple tips and tricks, you will be ready for almost any plumbing emergency. In any case, it’s always a good to have a plumber’s number handy. Our number is 1-866-619-9700, and our emergency response team would be happy to help resolve any plumbing emergency you may have.