How to Handle a Plumbing Emergency

Plumbing emergencies can occur as a result of many different factors, a broken appliance, blocked pipes or toilets, frozen pipes bursting or something more severe like damage from a natural disaster. Overflow water from a mini disaster in the house can cause all sorts of damage, from ruining flooring, furniture, clothing, food, sheet rock, or getting between walls where it can start your home on the path to unseen but serious damage like mold.

The first thing you need to do is call a professional plumber, as there are few instances where the homeowner can deal with these kinds of emergencies. The second thing you need to do is shut off the water to avoid any additional damage.

Prepare yourself in advance by knowing where the main water shutoff is located at your house. In some dwellings, it's inside the house right where the water main enters the structure; other homes have a shut off valve outside of the house. After you familiarize yourself with the location, know how to shut it off. Many home owners leave the appropriate tool to assist in the shutoff (like a crescent wrench) right at the water main location.

If you have a gas water heater, you'll want to turn off the gas to the tank. The next step is to do what you can to drain remaining water in the pipes inside or outside the house, shutting off automatic sprinkler systems, your pool heater and filter if you have one, and opening the spigots outside of the house - the taps where ordinarily you would connect your garden hoses.

Avoid using any fixtures or sinks while you are waiting for the plumbing. This list covers some steps you can take, but there are many other situations where you won't be able to take steps like these; frozen pipes would be one such situation.

The most important step you can take is to stay calm, and make sure your professional plumbing firm is on speed dial. Are you facing a plumbing emergency in the Guelph area? Stop and call Lodder Brothers Limited immediately at (519) 836-6370.