When plumbing disasters strike in your home, what should you do? Two steps. First, you should take immediate action to take control of the situation and limit the damage to your home, with help from Centurion Real Estate rental support if needed. Secondly, you should contact a local emergency plumbing service.
What kinds of plumbing problems qualify as emergencies? Plumbing emergencies usually have the following characteristics:
- They happen suddenly.
- They have the potential to cause massive damage in a very short time.
- They pose a health risk to your household.
- They prevent the use of one or more of your plumbing fixtures.
Examples of plumbing problems that fall into this category include burst pipes, gas leaks, sewer backups, overflowing toilets, etc. These problems expose your home to a risk of major water damage. What should you do if one of these problems occurs in your home?
Steps to handle a plumbing disaster in your home
Stay calm and shut off the water
When dealing with emergencies in your home, it is essential to be calm. A clear mind will let you act with speed and purpose. Your first step should be to shut off the water, either at the dedicated shut-off valve for the affected fixture or the main water shut-off valve for your home. If you are dealing with an overflowing toilet, do not flush the toilet.
Cut off the electricity
Water and electricity should never mix. There is a risk of this happening when there is a plumbing emergency in your home. If there is even the slightest possibility that the water will come into contact with a power outlet or appliance, please cut off the power supply to the affected part of your home. Avoid touching or stepping into the water if you think it is already in contact with electricity.
Contain the water
To stop more water from being discharged into your home, open all your faucets and let them drain. Only do this if you have already shut off the water at the main water shut-off valve. Roll up bedsheets or towels and place them in the path of the water to keep it from spreading to other parts of the house. Use a dustpan or other container to scoop the water into the bucket, and then dry the area with a mop.
Move your belongings
Remove items that may be damaged by water from the area that could be affected by the water. Secure important documents by placing them on a shelf or moving them to another part of the home. Separate salvageable items from those that cannot be salvaged. Move furniture, electronics, and other personal belongings away from the water. Move wet items that can be salvaged outdoors to let them dry. Set up standing fans and space heaters in the room to speed up drying.
Document the damage
Walk through your home with a smartphone. Record a video of the scenes, with narration, taking care to show the cause of the plumbing emergency as well as your ruined belongings. Contact your insurance company to report the incident. When speaking to the insurance companyβs representative, only answer questions if you are sure of the answers.
Call an emergency plumber
Emergency plumbers are licensed plumbers whose focus is on solving plumbing emergencies. Because they offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services, you can call them at any time of day or night. An emergency plumber will often arrive at your home with all the necessary parts and equipment to resolve the specific plumbing emergency you are experiencing. This ensures that problems are handled quickly and the damage to your home is minimal.
What should you look for in a Western Springs (IL) emergency plumbing service?
The emergency plumber you hire should:
- Be local: They must understand the plumbing emergencies that are common to the area and have the professional network necessary to solve problems quickly. Big regional or national brands cannot provide the personalized service that a local plumber can.
- Have experience: Working with an experienced Western Springs, IL plumber is recommended for several reasons. It is easier to verify the reputation of a plumber if they have been working in the area for a long time, rather than if they are a newly established plumbing service.
- Be specialized: If you’re dealing with a plumbing emergency in your home, ensure to hire an emergency plumber who specializes in residential plumbing systems. Give priority to plumbers who work with buildings that have similar systems to your own.
- Be transparent: The emergency plumbing service you hire should be upfront about how much they charge for their services. They should be willing to provide you with a written contract. Do not work with plumbers who demand advance payment.
- Be available: Before hiring an emergency plumber, ensure they are available. Ask them how long it will take them to arrive at your home or office. If you have to wait for a long time for the plumber to arrive, the goal of hiring an emergency plumber is defeated.
Finally, your level of emergency readiness affects the amount of damage your home will suffer during a plumbing emergency. Being emergency-ready partly means having the contact of a trusted local emergency plumber on speed dial.
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Plumbing emergency in your Western Springs, IL home? Our 24/7 Plumbers can help! Call now at 708-801-6530!
