What to Do During a Plumbing Emergency
May 23rd, 2014Plumbing emergencies happen at the most inopportune times. We wake up in the middle of the night to see our toilet overflowing or the pipes under the sink leaking, causing sheer panic while we’re half asleep. The first thought you have is to call a professional for emergency plumbing in Philadelphia. The second thought is to go back to sleep. Before we let our panic get the best of us, there are several simple steps you can take during a plumbing emergency, you just have to remember to keep your cool.
Find the source of the leak. Is it an overflowing toilet, or a clogged drain? Is there a flood underneath your sink due to a crack in one of your pipes? Has your washer started to leak, or your water heater? There are a number of problems you can face. Appliances can be old and rusted, causing a crack, or pipes can freeze and result in a backup of water flow. First, you must find the source of your leak. What if there is a leak from your ceiling or and you don’t see the source?
Turn off your water at the main shutoff valve. If the leak is consistent, you want to make sure the water ceases to run. This will help avoid a small puddle turning into a large flood. The shutoff valve can be located on the outside of your house, in the basement, in the garage, or inside a floor access panel. Close the valve to stop the water.
Shut down the circuit breakers. Your water heater can overheat when there is a steady flow of water in your home. Trying to use the hot water can cause bodily harm, so make sure you switch your circuit breakers off.
Try to lessen the damage. There are supplies to use for unclogging your pipes and stop a leaking faucet. Talk to an emergency plumber in Philadelphia to see what products could be safely used. If you’re having trouble lessening the damage, call us. We’re available at all hours of the day to provide your home with exceptional service, allowing you to get back to sleep faster.