While the thought of calling an emergency plumber may be intimidating and frustrating, it’s important that you don’t put things off too long, especially when dealing with an emergency like blocked drains or burst pipes in your home or business.
Even if there might be a minor issue with your plumbing system, there are some steps you can take to prevent things from becoming more serious. In this blog, we’ll cover some important points to help fix the plumbing issue before calling an emergency plumber:
1. Assess the Severity of the Situation
The first thing you want to do in the circumstance of a plumbing emergency is to assess the severity of the issue. Determine if it’s a true emergency that requires immediate attention, such as a burst pipe, sewage backup, or gas leak, or if it can wait until business hours.
Some common plumbing issues that are annoying but not considered a plumbing emergency are a leaky faucet, a running toilet, or a slow-draining sink or tub.
2. Shut Off the Water Supply
If the problem involves water, such as an overflowing toilet, locate the main water shut-off valve and shut it off to prevent further damage and flooding. This valve is typically located under or next to your water meter, on your street, or inside of the home, either in the basement, mechanical room, or crawlspace.
Once you have found it, turn it clockwise until you hear a click. This will turn off all of the water going into your property to avoid flooding in case of an emergency. You can take a picture of where it was and what side it turns so that when you need it again, you’ll be able to find it in a hurry.
3. Investigate Further and Contain the Issue
Once the water is shut off, it’s important to also check for leaks in the plumbing system. Although some leaks may already be visible, others can be found with additional inspection. Check the cabinets under the laundry, bathroom, and kitchen sinks, and make sure they are dry. Look for puddles around the bases of the showers, toilets, and tubs, as well as beneath the dishwasher and washer and dryer.
If you find any leaks and puddles in these areas, it’s likely that you’re dealing with a leak. Now, you want to contain the issue to minimize damage as much as you can. Avoid using plumbing fixtures until a plumber arrives, and attempt to clean up puddles as you go to avoid water damage.
4. Troubleshoot
If the issue seems localized, such as a clogged drain or toilet, try using a plunger or drain snake to clear the blockage. Avoid using chemical drain cleaners, as they can cause further damage to pipes and may be harmful if misused. If you’re dealing with a clog, try this first.
Clean the drain and remove any debris with a plunger or plumbing snake. Next, pour boiling water down the drain. Then, pour one-fourth cup of baking soda and a cup of white vinegar into the clogged drain. Wait 15 to 30 minutes before pouring in another round of boiling water.
If none of these work, pour baking soda, dish soap, and more boiling water down the drain and leave it on for 30 minutes. Then, pour boiling water down again. If all else fails, call in an emergency plumber.
5. Contact a Reputable Emergency Plumber
We can’t stress enough the importance of having the number of a reputable emergency plumber on hand. The sooner you call, the better the chance of saving your property from flooding and water damage during an emergency.
We hope you never have to call an emergency plumber, but when your plumbing system experiences an emergency, the last thing you want to do is worry about the cost of the repairs or if you’ll ever get things back to normal. After all, it’s stressful enough just dealing with the actual problem.
The key to saving your property from getting damaged further by a burst pipe or clogged drain is taking precautions before things get out of hand and calling in an emergency plumber when necessary.
Our certified and licensed plumbers proudly serve Phoenix and Nevada homes and businesses with 24/7 emergency plumbing repairs. When you need a plumbing repair, contact Rooter Ranger.
