Every homeowner has the responsibility to learn how the plumbing system in their homes work. Plumbing problems will arise every now and then and homeowners must know what to do to control the circumstances. The following are 5 tips on handling a plumbing emergency.
1. Locate Water Source
When you see leaking, you must quickly locate the source of water and turn it off. You can stop the leaking by turning off the main water valve. You can ask your plumber about the location of the main water valve. Usually, if he tells you about the main valve location, he will also teach you how to shut off the water supply. The longer the water leak, the faster the mold will grow which is detrimental to your health. It will also cause worser damage to the house. This is why you should turn off the main water valve as soon as possible.
2. Turn Off the Electrical Circuit
You should also turn off the switch in the electrical circuit to prevent any current from coming through the water. The electrical current can travel through the water and cause electrocution if it is not disabled in the circuits. To turn off the electricity, you have to pull the master handle to off.
3. Turn Off the Water Heater
The pressure in the water heater will rise immediately after you turn off your electrical and water. The unit could burst and aggravate the situation if the pressure is higher than the limit of the heater. For gas water heater, you must turn off the valve. Electric heater can be shut off by turning the power switch to off.
4. Seal Off the Crack in the Plumbing
You can use duct tape to seal off the crack on the pipe where the water is leaking. However, you should not rely on duct tape as a permanent solution to fix the water leaking problem. It is just a short term solution to stop the water leaking just long enough for you to contact an experienced plumber to fix the pipe. It is easier to seal off the broken pipe with a duct tape if you have no experience in fixing pipe before.
5. Take Picture of the Flooding Situation
The last step is to take picture of the flooded room as proof to get your claim from the insurance company. You can use your smartphone or digital camera to take photo of the flooding. You can also take down note on the root cause and prevention steps you have taken to stop the flooding. After that, don’t forget to use towels to soak up the water. You should do this as soon as possible to prevent mold growth on your carpet and drywall.
