5 Tips For Plumbing Emergencies

As a homeowner, you always need to be prepared for a worst-case scenario. You never know when a plumbing emergency can strike. Most of the time, the best idea is to contact a professional plumber to come look at the situation. However, it may take a bit for your plumber to arrive. If you want to save your home from costly repairs, you might need to think quickly and act.

Numerous plumbing emergencies can arise in your home. You might notice a leak in the ceiling or drywall, a few inches of water in your basement, or other signs of pipes under your house being clogged or damaged. Here are five tips for what to do in case you encounter one of these plumbing emergencies.

Call A Plumber Immediately

The first thing you need to do is call your plumber. While you might think a small leak might be an easy fix, it could be an indicator of something much larger, too large for you to handle on your own. Contact your local plumber's emergency service line and let them know what is happening.

Turn Off The Main Water Valve

Depending on where you notice a problem, you will need to shut off the closest water source as quickly as possible. The longer you wait to turn off the water, the more it can wreak havoc on your home. Every homeowner should know exactly where the water shut-off valves are in their home. If you are unsure, check with a plumbing expert. It's better to be prepared before an emergency strikes.

Turn Off The Water Heater

No matter what kind of plumbing problem you encounter, it's a good idea to shut off the water heater to minimize damage. You should wait until you've turned off your water valve before you turn off the water heater to prevent heat from welling up inside. If your water heater is gas, shut off the gas valve first.

Address Small Leaks

Take care of any small leaks you notice. You can wrap plumber's tape around pipes, place buckets under dripping leaks, and place towels around other wet areas. Make a note of every small leak you address. When the plumber arrives, let them know of what you did so that they can handle these leaks in the safest order.

Open Up The Spigots Outside

When you shut off the main water valve in your home, there will still be water in your pipes. In order to get this water out of the pipes and as far away from your home as possible to minimize damage, you should turn on outside drains and spigots. Avoid using drain cleaners, which could cause further damage to your plumbing.

Plumbing emergencies can be frightening, but you need to keep a cool head when you encounter one. Above all else, make sure to call a professional Portland plumber to address these problems to reduce the chances of causing long-lasting damage to your home.