Most of the time, you can wait until business hours to call a plumber. However, if your toilet won't flush over a holiday weekend or if a pipe bursts in the middle of the night, you need help right away. Fortunately, you can call a 24/7 emergency plumbing company for help. Here are some tips for handling a plumbing emergency.
1. Shut Off The Water Supply For A Pipe Leak
It's important to know where the plumbing shut-off valves are in your home so you can cut the water off when there's a leak. If nothing else, you can shut your water off on your water main where the pipe enters your house.
Stopping the water as fast as you can is important since this reduces the amount of water damage and standing water in your home.
2. Stop Using Water When A Toilet Backs Up
Every drain in your home empties into the main sewer line. If your toilet is backing up, it's important to stop using your toilets, and you may even need to limit the amount of water you send down the drain. If the backup looks like it could spill over, you may want to shut your water off just to make sure no more goes into the blocked pipe and backs up your toilet.
You may need to try plunging vigorously or bailing out water to get the toilet to go down so the emergency plumber will be able to work when they arrive. However, if the problem is with a clogged sewer line, they can probably work from outside and won't need to go through the toilet.
3. Shut Down The Water Heater If Pressure Builds
Another plumbing emergency you may have is when the water heater malfunctions. If something goes wrong with a heating element or thermostat, the water may get too hot. As temperature increases, pressure builds. This might be noticeable when water spews out of the pressure release valve. If the valve is corroded and stuck, pressure may get dangerously high if your system doesn't have an expansion tank.
If you see signs of high pressure in your heater, shut it down. You may also need to shut it down or call an emergency plumber right away if there is a problem with your gas supply. If you have an electric heater, you can always shut off the circuit breaker in the control panel and turn off the water supply.
Taking steps to deal with these plumbing emergencies can buy time until a plumber arrives. When you call a 24/7 emergency plumbing company, someone will always be ready to answer your call and get you the help you need. Contact a 24/7 emergency plumbing company for more information.
