Keep Cool During a Plumbing Emergency
As summer heats up, we want to take a minute to remind you how to keep cool during a plumbing emergency. Leaking faucets, slow drains, water heater install or even a clogged toilet are common summer plumbing issues. These repairs can usually wait for a scheduled appointment. But when you have water gushing or sewage spewing, that’s an emergency plumbing situation and it becomes much more important you act urgently.
Knowing what to do in a plumbing emergency ahead of time can help minimize damage and stress during an actual emergency.
What to Do During a Plumbing Emergency
Don’t let the heat of the moment get the best of you. Keep cool and follow these emergency plumbing tips.
Turn Off the Water
The first thing you’ll want to do if you have water flooding from a burst pipe or broken fixture is shut off the water, either at the leaking fixture or the main water supply located near your meter. It might seem obvious now, but during a plumbing emergency it can be easy to become overwhelmed and forget. It’s a good idea to locate your shut off valves ahead of time so you’ll know where to find them in an emergency. Most valves will turn clockwise to shut off.
Cut The Power
Water is a good conductor of electricity. Make sure none of the flooded water is capable of reaching any electrical appliances or outlets to reduce the risk of electrical shock. You’ll want to turn the power off at the main circuit breaker. If you can’t get to your main electrical switch because of the flooded water, call your electric utility.
Switch Off Your Water Heater
If you turned off your main water supply, you should also turn off your water heater to avoid possible damage. If left running without a water supply, the heating element could burn out or pressure could build up in the tank. If you have an electric water heater, you can unplug it from the wall or shut off the electricity at the circuit breaker. If it’s gas, you’ll need to turn the gas off at the main valve which should be controlled by a lever or knob near the bottom of the unit.
Call a Plumber
During plumbing emergencies, it is best to get a professional involved as quickly as possible. They are trained for these types of situations and will be better able to understand the cause and how to fix it properly. Based in Maple Grove, One Hour Rooter Plumbers is a 24/7 operation providing both residential and commercial plumbing services to customers in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Fridley, Columbia Heights, and Coon Rapids. We offer a variety of drain cleaning and plumbing services, quickly, professionally and affordably. Call us at 612-354-8984 if you’ve got a plumbing emergency and we’ll dispatch a crew to your home or office within an hour or save our number to your phone’s contacts now so you’ll be ready in the future. If you need any help hiring a professional plumber, here are a few things you should look for.
Turn On Faucets
Shutting off the main water supply will prevent any new water from coming into your home, but you many want to open up your lines to remove the water that’s already there. You can open the faucets inside and outside your home to divert the excess water away from the leak.
Soak up the Water
If it’s safe to be near the flooded water or leak, now’s a good a time as any to start soaking up the excess water. You can temporarily stop small leaks with plumber’s tape or epoxy or try wrapping or stuffing them with towels or rags to keep the water contained until your plumber arrives. You can start mopping up the floor or drying out the room with fans if it’s safe to do so.
Keep Your Cool with One Hour Rooter
Plumbing emergencies are never fun, but they can be less stressful and less disastrous if you’re prepared and if you have a good plumber you can trust. If you’ve got a plumbing emergency in the Minneapolis metro, call One Hour Rooter at 612-354-8984. If you’d like to schedule a service call, feel free to call us or schedule your appointment online. Then you can relax! We’ll take care of it.
