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Plumbing Emergency: What To Do While You Wait For Help

plumbing emergency
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When it comes to a plumbing emergency, time is of the essence. Unfortunately, part of being human means that our first and most natural reaction to water spraying all over our home is panic!

Once we manage to snap ourselves out of it, we call a professional plumber like those at Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric for help. While their teams are usually quick to jobs, there is a period of time between calling a professional and when they actually arrive. This period of time is crucial to saving your belongings and preventing any further damage from occurring.

Here is a list of things that you can do during a plumbing emergency to help save your home from water damage while help is on the way.

Shut The Water Off

The first thing to do when dealing with a leak (even before you call a professional plumber) is to shut off your main line water supply.

The water valve to your main line supply should be found near your water meter. This will temporarily stop the flow of water from reaching your home. If you are unable to find it, shutting off the valve nearest to the location(s) of the leak would be the next best option. This would at least stop the flow of water to the problem area. We do this to minimize the amount of water which inevitably limits the amount of water damage to your home and belongings.

Drain Your Water Pipes

Even though you would have just shut off your home’s water supply, there will still be some water in the pipes themselves. To stop this water from leaking into your home, you need to drain it from the pipes by opening the faucets. This will ensure that any excess water is flushed from your system.

Remove Standing Water

Standing water works quickly, which means your response needs to be quick, too! It doesn’t take long for standing water to ruin floors, walls, and even furniture. Do anything that you can to get rid of the excess water. Try and soak up the bulk of the water with a mop or towel. Then open windows and doors and even turn on the fans. This will help to circulate air and dry things out.

Check Electric Appliances

It’s no secret that water and electricity aren’t a good combination. A combination like this could leave you with more than a simple leak, like possible fires or explosions. During a severe leak, water may come into contact with electrical appliances around your home. If this happens, turn off and unplug the appliances immediately. Check the fuse box, if it is dry and, if possible, turn that off as well.

Move All Furniture

In the event of a leak, any beds, bookshelves, chairs, tables, or sofas in standing water need to be moved as soon as possible. While these items are not dangerous when wet like our appliances, they can be damaged beyond repair. Moving furniture to a dry area will not only save it, it will also create an area in your home that is easier to clean.

Take Pictures Of The Damage

If everything has been done to save your household items and still no plumber? Take out your phone and snap away! If your home is insured, any photographic evidence of damage to your possessions can help make your case with the insurance company.

How Art Can Help You With Your Plumbing Emergency

We understand that a leak is more often than not, more than just a leak. Whether there are underlying issues that need repairs, or your plumbing has been damaged, Art Can Fix It! Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric is here to make the repair process as painless as possible. Call us today at 1-800-475-1504 for help with your plumbing emergency! For more plumbing tips, check out our Plumbing, AC & Electric Tips blog and “LIKE Us” on Facebook!

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