What is considered a plumbing emergency ?

September 16th, 2021

Most homeowners have had to deal with plumbing problems at one time or another. But how do you tell the difference between something minor and a real emergency? When should you call a professional and what should you do while you wait? he following blog post will give you some tips on how to deal with different situations that could lead to costly water damage.

The reflexes to have

As soon as you notice a plumbing problem, it is important to analyze it. It is essential to try to find the source of the problem. When you have found the source, try to stop the leak while you go and stop the water. If there’s one thing you need to know as a homeowner, it’s the location of the main water inlet to the house. You also need to know where the isolation valves are, which are usually located near each fixture. If you have a water leak, be sure to keep children and pets away as it is not always clean water. Water from sewer pipes often contains harmful bacteria that could make children and pets in your home sick.

Underground Leak

If it is an underground leak, you will not be able to fix the leak yourself. You will need to call a professional as soon as possible. While waiting for help, try to move furniture to dry areas and dry out wooden objects. Once the plumber has fixed the leak, you can call your insurance company to send in a disaster clean-up crew. It is very important to dry out the affected areas as soon as possible to prevent mold growth.

Pipe bursting

Pipe bursting is definitely a plumbing emergency. It can happen if your pipes freeze in the winter and the ice that forms inside induces pressure on the pipe. Burst pipes can not only cause serious water damage, but also cause structural damage to the home as water can seep into the walls and even create short circuits. Again here, shutting off the main water supply is the first thing to do.

Don’t Panic

While it’s tempting to panic in this type of situation, keep your cool. Once the water in the house’s main line is shut off, call a plumber right away. If the leak continues despite the attempt to shut off the water, try to plug the leak to decrease the water flow, but do not attempt to substitute for a plumber. You are not a professional and could make the existing problem worse. The 24-hour emergency plumbing services are there to help you in this type of situation. In addition, once the problem is fixed, a professional plumber will be able to advise you on what can be done to prevent a similar situation from happening again. Whether it’s a plumbing emergency or not, there’s nothing to lose by calling a plumber to discuss your concerns. He will certainly be able to guide you in the right direction.