Plumbing emergencies can strike at any time, often without warning. Even if you are super diligent with staying up to date with your routine plumbing maintenance, disaster can always strike! That’s why it is important to always be prepared for a plumbing emergency. Here are some tips to help you prepare for a plumbing emergency.
#1 Stay Calm
We’ve said it before and we are going to say it again. The most important thing you can do during a plumbing emergency is to stay calm. Trust us we understand the dire situation but panicking isn’t going to help anything.
#2 Contact Your Plumber
When faced with a plumbing emergency you want to call your plumber right away. Don’t try to DIY a major plumbing disaster, you could do more harm than good, endanger your health, and end up spending more in repairs by causing more damage. Keep the number to your trusted plumber handy in the event of a plumbing emergency. Many plumbers are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
#3 Turn Off the Water
During a plumbing emergency, it is a good idea to turn off the water. This helps prevent further damage. Before a plumbing emergency strikes familiarize yourself with your main water line. Sometimes they are located at the foundation of a home, sometimes they are located under the sidewalk. If its a localized plumbing emergency like under the sink or toilet you can turn off the water supply directly.
#4 Invest In a Plumbing Emergency Kit
Having a plumbing emergency kit is also a good idea. Before you have a plumbing disaster make sure you have the right tools on hand. Some things to consider for your plumbing emergency kit are a flashlight, plunger, duct tape, and plastic. A flashlight will come in handy when it comes to turning off the main water line. A plunger is always good to have on hand, just make sure you are using the right kind of plunger for the job. Duct tape is good for all kinds of things and can be used to temporarily stop a leak. Plastic can help prevent other parts of your home from water damage.
Being prepared for a plumbing emergency is always a good idea. Even if you never have to face one. It’s better to be safe than sorry. For more plumbing tips check out some of our other articles.
