When a plumbing emergency strikes, it can be difficult to keep a calm head because you just don’t know what to do or how to handle it. Obviously, you’re going to need an emergency plumber near you to help deal with the problem. But what else can you do in the event of a plumbing emergency? Here’s what you need to know about what to do when you find yourself in a plumbing emergency.
Turn Off the Water Supply
When a plumbing emergency strikes, the first thing that you need to do is identify the source of the water and shut it off as soon as possible. This might be as simple as turning off the water valve that supplies your toilet, for instance. But if you’re in a much more serious situation – such as flooding – then you want to shut off the main water valve that supplies your home.
Shut Off Your Water Heater
Whether or not your water heater is affected by the emergency plumbing situation you might find yourself in, it’s a very good idea to turn it off. That’s because doing so will help protect it from being damaged – or from further damage from occurring if your water heater is part of or the cause of the emergency.
When turning off your water heater, it’s important that you make sure that you’ve turned the main valve off first to keep heat from welling up inside the heater, which can increase the risk of it overheating and bursting.
Open All Spigots and Drains
Even though you might’ve turned off your home’s main water valve, there’s still likely to be water remaining in your pipes. To remove this water, you can turn on any spigots on your home’s exterior and give your garden hose a few good squirts, just to be safe.
If you’re noticing any small clogs or backups occurring, then try using a plunger to gently remove them – although you should avoid using any chemical drain cleaners.
Knowing what to do in the event of a plumbing emergency is important and can help you feel calmer and more in control of the situation. That’s when you need to call in an emergency plumber near you to solve the problem. My Calgary Plumber are your local emergency plumbers. Give them a call today!
