We spend a lot of our lives hoping that disaster won’t strike. But, at least in minor ways, some amount of disaster is inevitable. It’s important not to dwell on it too much, but it’s equally important to do what you can to be prepared. And plumbing emergencies are one of those things that can really throw us for a loop when they happen!
The best way to minimize damage and additional problems as a result of a plumbing emergency is to stay calm. You’ll be able to take the necessary steps to get the problem resolved as quickly as possible if you know what those steps will be. Read on to find out how to make sure that you’ll be prepared when a plumbing emergency does occur, so you can relax, knowing you can tackle whatever happens.
Find Your Shut-Off Valves
Various plumbing fixtures in your home each have their own shut-off valves. You might be most familiar with the ones on toilets, but others function the same way: turn them clockwise to shut off the flow of water. If you have a broken fixture that is gushing water, you can prevent massive damage to your home by shutting that water off immediately. Find these valves ahead of time, and you’ll be calm in an emergency.
If a problem occurs somewhere other than a fixture, like a pipe in your wall, or if the shut-off to a damaged fixture is not stopping the flow for some reason, you can shut off all the water to your home. There’s a main shut-off valve, often in the basement, always on the wall facing the water source, either the street if you have municipal water or your well if you have one. Again, turn clockwise.
If you’ve had to shut off the water to a critical fixture, like your only toilet, or to the whole house, you’ve definitely got an emergency on your hands. Get the help of an emergency plumber in Skokie, IL to get the problem fixed and your water running again.
Have Basic Tools at the Ready
While a professional plumber will have better tools—and today’s plumbers have some pretty high-tech equipment—there are a few things that can help a homeowner with a small problem. A clean, small plunger for a blocked sink, a plastic drain snake for a clog of hair in the shower, and a hand-cranked metal drain auger for slightly more problematic drains are all very useful.
If these don’t solve your problem, don’t reach for a bottle of chemical drain cleaner, reach for your phone and call your plumber! Liquid drain cleaners are incredibly caustic, hazardous to anyone who gets the chemicals on their skin or breathes their fumes, and they degrade your pipes, leaving a rough surface that allows future clogs to form more quickly.
Know Who to Call
When selecting a regular plumber, make sure they offer emergency services. That way you’ll already know who to call when an emergency happens. Also have your water utility’s phone number at the ready. If your home suddenly has no water, you might have a massive plumbing problem. But it might be that the issue is with your water provider, and there’s nothing you need to do.
If you have any questions about your home’s plumbing, need to schedule a regular appointment, or have an urgent emergency, don’t hesitate to reach out.
For expert plumbing service, installations, or maintenance, contact Reliance Plumbing Sewer & Drainage, Inc. Our knowledgeable plumbers serve the North Shore and Northwest Chicago suburbs. Rely on Reliance!