Here’s What You Should Do When You Face a Plumbing Emergency

Most homeowners will face a plumbing emergency some time in their first few years of ownership. They’re a fact of life, and even when they are small problems, they make a big mess. The fact is, even if you’re one of the lucky ones and you avoid any problems for the first couple of years, eventually you will find yourself staring down the business end of a giant puddle or sewage backup. It’s just a matter of time and the odds. Knowing how to handle the discovery and which steps to take in those first few minutes afterward can make a huge difference, though. It can affect the amount of damage, the outcomes for cleanup, and even the size of your insurance claim.

As soon as you discover an emergent problem like a leak or a backup, the first step is to contain the situation. If you have water coming from a pipe, then that means cutting off the water at the source. Knowing the location of your home’s water main is key here, and you will also want to familiarize yourself with your water heater, so that you can cut off just the hot water if you need to do so. If you’re dealing with a backup, then the first thing to do is clear the area in case of a spread. You also need to make sure no one in the house adds to the problem, which means no one runs water that will add to the backup until it is located.

Second steps should include and moderate cleanup that can be done to help ensure containment. For small emergencies, that might just mean mopping up and using a little repair clue or drain opener. For larger problems, that is when you call in the professionals. In the event of major flooding, it’s important to remember that the cleanup will probably be bigger than you expect, due to the need to dry the area. Calling a professional cleanup or restoration service at the same time that you call for plumbing assistance is a good idea in those situations. Most of the time, your homeowner’s insurance provider will be able to help connect you to a covered service if need be.

Once the emergency is contained, it’s just a matter of getting repairs done. If you need plumbing contractors in Santa Cruz that have the experience to get things done quickly in an emergency, click here to learn more.