What is a plumbing emergency?
Most of us know what we would consider a plumbing emergency, for example, water bursting from a pipe, flooding in the house etc. however there might be situations where you are unsure if it is considered a plumbing emergency or can wait until regular hours.
Here are some examples of what constitutes a plumbing emergency:
- Burst pipes
- Failed sump pumps
- Blocked sewer lines
- Intense, unusual sewer smells
- Leaks leading to flooding
- Water heater issues (especially if you smell gas)
- Sudden overflowing toilets
In the event that you are having any of the above issues, here are a few steps you can take to temporarily help the situation until a plumber arrives.
- Shut off your water
- For small leaks: turn off water at the source, such as under the sink or shut off the valve at the base of the toilet
- For big leaks: Turn off your home’s main valve, which is usually located on the perimeter of your home. Making sure every member of your household knows where the water valve is and how to shut it off is key. You never know who will be home when an emergency like this happens.
2. If you have shut off main valve, open all spigots outside to drain any excess water.
3. Consider safely turning off the electricity in the affected area. If the water damage is in your walls or ceiling and there is electrical near it you may want to consider turning off the electricity in that area by using the circuit breaker. If you are hesitant to try this, please call a plumber to assist you
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