Emergency plumbing situations that cause leaks, overflows, and other odorous problems can occur at any time. Knowing how to manage the situation quickly and efficiently is the best way to avoid major damage to your home or business.
The following are the most common emergencies, and the
necessary steps you should take to contain them.
If a pipe bursts, quickly turn off the water supply to the home. The shut-off valve is most often located outside your home. If you can’t locate it, turn off water supply at the water meter, which is usually in a concrete or metal box close to the street. Next, run all the water taps and flush all the toilets. This will prevent water from pooling.
If a toilet overflows, the cause is usually a blockage. When flushing alone doesn’t drain the toilet, the most common solution is to use a chemical drain cleaner. Another alternative would be to bend a wire hanger and use it to try to remove the blockage inside the toilet bowl.
If a water heater malfunctions, you should quickly turn off the circuit breaker that supplies electricity to the appliance, and turn off the water supply to the water heater. Most water heaters have a shut-off valve located somewhere on the appliance. Turning it off will relieve water pressure on the tank, and minimize potential damage to your home.
If your septic tank backs up, stop using water inside your home. Don’t flush toilets, or run taps or showers. Fortunately, there are warning signs to look for that indicate a septic tank requires attention. Be cognizant of bathtubs, showers, and sinks draining slowly; gurgling sounds in the plumbing system; and damp spots and bad odors near the tank or drainfield.
Emergencies happen at the worst possible moments. Learning how to temporarily fix plumbing problems until a professional can make permanent repairs is the best way to help minimize any possible damage to your home. Whether in cases of emergency or scheduled maintenance, the experienced Raider Rooter plumbers have been providing South Florida with reliable, affordable, and high-quality plumbing services for over 40 years.
