No homeowner is exempted from a plumbing emergency.

Sooner or later, you’ll have to deal with an overflowing toilet, clogged drains, and other pipe-related problems. By knowing what you need to do when a plumbing emergency occurs, you can handle the situation well and find the best solution.

A professional emergency plumber shares the following steps as your guide when dealing with a plumbing problem.

1. Shut off the water supply

If there is a plumbing problem, your initial reaction should be to locate the water mains tap. Usually, you can see this next to or close to your water meter. Once you have found it, shut off the valve to stop all water from flowing. This will help minimize water damage, reduce water waste and save you from the hassle of deep cleaning.

You should remove all the leaked water as fast as you can before it reaches and damages your household items. If the damage is extensive and you can’t manage to clean it up all on your own, book a cleaner to help you.

2. Open drains and taps

After you have turned off the main water supply, it’s also a wise idea to open all your drains and taps. This step will drain all water from the pipes, further minimizing water damage. Give your garden hose a few squirts, too, to clear out any remaining water.

If you have blocked pipes, wait for the plumber. Never use any chemical cleaners for your pipes as they may cause more harm than good before the plumber arrives.

3. Contact an emergency plumber

The moment you detect the plumbing emergency, dial an emergency plumber right away.

In serious emergencies, the plumber may instruct you on what to do and whether you have to temporarily leave your property. On the other hand, for lighter emergencies, you still need to contact a professional to schedule an appointment as soon as possible while you do what you can to prevent further damage.

Choose a reliable emergency plumber who can send out someone in just a few minutes or hours. Remember that time is the enemy when it comes to plumbing emergencies, so make sure to contact a reliable plumber who will be immediately available.

4. Check the water heater

For a major plumbing emergency, you’ll need to shut off the water heater. Doing so will prevent overheating and any other damage that can occur. If you have a gas heater, make sure that you turn off the gas first.

5. Locate small leaks

While you wait for the plumber, you can locate small leaks and place a bucket under them to collect the water, or rags to absorb excess leakage. It’s important that you keep track of the leaks so that you can pass on this information to your plumber once he (or she) arrives.

How to Avoid Plumbing Emergencies

Although you can’t be completely free from plumbing emergencies, you can prevent them from happening. Often, they are the result of an ageing plumbing system, improper repair or long-term abuse.

Here are some prevention tips you should consider:

• Understand your water system – The homeowner is the first person who will notice any leaks. This means, it’s important that you know where your water mains tap is to minimize the damage caused by a leak.
• Don’t try to fix things on your own – Plumbing problems are complex and your DIY repairs may only cause the problem to get worse. If you know that it’s outside of your abilities, let a plumber handle it. He or she will diagnose and repair your plumbing problem faster and with less long-term damage.
• Don’t treat drains as trash cans – Garbage disposals and toilets only process particular kinds of items and waste. However, they can’t handle anything else which is why you shouldn’t shove down anything that isn’t appropriate into them.
• Follow regular maintenance – Anything that’s worn out should be replaced and you should have anything broken immediately repaired. Regular maintenance is important in making sure that your plumbing system will continue to run smoothly.

Let a professional handle the problem

The best you can do when a plumbing problem occurs is to prevent water leaks from causing further damage by following the steps above. Don’t do anything more than that. Rather than attempting to fix the problem by yourself, reach out to a plumbing professional to get a quick and efficient remedy for your plumbing emergency.

AUTHOR BIO

Based in South Melbourne, Blue Diamond Plumbing was founded in 1985, working on new homes, repairs and commercial contracts. Over time they have grown to become some of the best plumbers Melbourne has to offer. Since 2001 the company has specialised in Emergency Plumbing and Property Maintenance, Repairs and Renovations for homes and businesses in Melbourne and inner city suburbs. Owner Rod Diamond has over 30 years experience with emergency plumbing in Melbourne’s inner suburbs.