Plumbing emergencies can happen at any time and for many different reasons. It is hard to always predict them, so when they do occur, it is best to have a plan in place for what you will do. The most important steps you can do when a plumbing emergency strikes are:
- Turn Off Water – Water leakage is a huge problem that needs to be quickly contained. If you are experiencing a leak or suspect water is going places it shouldn’t, then turn off your water supply. If the problem is contained to a single toilet, then you can turn off the water to that toilet if there is a valve at the toilet. If there is not a valve or the leak is elsewhere, then turn the water off at the main valve.
- Stop Small Leaks – If you have a dripping pipe or small leak, then you can place a bucket under the leak, use plumber’s tape, or shove rags into a problem pipe. Once you have contained the leak, call an emergency plumber to properly fix the problem.
- Spigots and Drains – After you have turned off the water at the water main to your building you will still have water in your pipes. To empty these pipes, you can open your spigots and drains.
- Call The Plumber – Once you have the water turned off and have done all you can to prevent the problem from continuing to grow, be sure to call a plumber. This plumber should be able to tell you over the phone if there is anything else you should do before they get there. They will also be able to tell you if you are safe to remain in the building.
