Tips for Dealing with a Plumbing Emergency

Just when least expected, a pipe will break or some other plumbing emergency will arise. Most individuals just aren't prepared for these events but a person can be if he follows these suggestions and tips. Not only will disaster be averted, thousands of dollars in water damage may be saved as well as major discomfort avoided or diminished.

Have Plumbing Contact Information Ready

If a homeowner does not have a personal plumber that attends to the household's needs, then a listing of emergency numbers needs to be posted where it can be easily located and used.

Look for companies that are on call 24 hours a day and try to use those that are familiar and in the immediate area for a speedy response.

Know Where the Water Cut-Off Valves Are

Water may be bursting from the walls and a home being flooded. So many homeowners do not have a clue as to where the water cut-off valves are. Thousands of dollars of damage can be done in a very short time, so if there is one thing you must do to be prepared is to not only know where the cut-offs are but also how to operate them with the right tools on hand.

It won't do a person any good to know where they are if they can't get at them or don't have the proper equipment to turn them off. Most sinks and toilets have their own cut-off valves, but if it is a burst or broken pipe, the main cut-off will have to be located and turned off.

Minimize Damage

If water is seeping out all over the home, attempt to mop up as much as possible before it gets into other areas of the home and causes even more damage. Be aware of electrical hazards and use protective clothing, rubber gloves and rubber boots when dealing with any type of sewage.

Learn From Mistakes

If a person is out of town on a cold wintery night and comes home to find a pipe has burst because he forgot to let his faucets drip, he will know next time to put this high on his list of priorities.

If water damage is excessive because no one in the house had the correct numbers for a quality plumber or knew how to turn the water off, it is a lesson that can be rectified by training all of the adults in the household on what to do in case of these unexpected but very damaging emergencies.

Being prepared in the case of a plumbing emergency shows homeowners just how much being proactive can save them. It teaches them that organization and foresight are tools that can also be used in other areas of the home and in life.

Looking for an emergency plumber in Colonial Heights? Call Colonial Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc. at (804) 526-8415 for quality service you can trust!