How to be Prepared for a Plumbing Emergency

Plumbing emergencies can happen to anyone at any time, so be prepared! Homeowners who know what to do when plumbing emergencies occur can protect their property and avoid expensive repairs.

Common Plumbing Emergencies

Every plumbing emergency will have different symptoms. Here’s some of the most common problems to look for:

• Sewer or main line clog: You’ll see filthy – and smelly – water coming up through drains. If this happens, immediately stop using all water in the house and turn off all water-using appliances like the dishwasher and the washing machine. And don’t flush any toilets. Drain clog: ater may flow down the drain at a very slow pace, or may not flow down the drain at all. Turn off the faucet and call a plumber. Caution: Don’t use chemical drain cleaner!
• Burst pipe: A burst pipe can cause water to soak through the floors, walls or ceiling, and may lead to a flood in the house. Turn off the water supply right away to stop the flood from spreading, then call a plumbing professional.
• Frozen pipe: When a pipe freezes, all water stops flowing and the attached faucet stops working. This can fixed by waiting for the pipe to thaw or by thawing the pipe yourself. If the pipe has burst, you’ll find out when the water starts to flow again.

Look and Listen for Plumbing Problems

Not all plumbing emergencies are obvious. Know your home. If you hear running water in the walls, drips in the night or notice sudden drops in water pressure, this could be a sign of a serious problem. Contact a plumber even if you’re not able to identify the source of the trouble.

Know How to Turn Off the Water

To turn off the water to your home, you’ll need to know where the water shut off valve is. If you know where the leak in your home is, you might be able to turn off the local shut off without turning off the water supply to the entire house. If you can’t find the local shutoff, or can’t get it to work, you’ll need to turn off the main valve. To find your main shut off, check out our previous post.

Even if you’re not experiencing a plumbing emergency, it’s still a good idea to turn off the main water supply to the house on a regular basis. This prevents the valve from becoming stuck and helps ensure that you know how.

Keep the Number for an Emergency Plumber On Hand

Have the number for an emergency plumber on hand at all times. If you live in Pittsburgh or the Pittsburgh area, you can call Terry’s Plumbing at 412-364-9114. We provide rapid response to plumbing emergencies 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. We can help you with plumbing emergencies on weekends and holidays. Call us any time.