Don’t Panic! Tips for Dealing With Night-Time Plumbing Emergencies
No one wants to have a plumbing emergency, especially in the middle of the night. But if you do find yourself with a broken pipe or suddenly backed-up toilet in the wee hours, there are steps you can take to minimize damage while waiting for a 24-hour plumbing repair service. Here are five tips to help you get through your night-time plumbing emergency:
- Report the issue right away.
If you have a plumbing emergency in the middle of the night, don’t wait until morning to report it. The faster you can contact a 24-hour plumbing repair service and have them come out to fix the issue, the better. This way, you can prevent further damage, such as water leaking into your walls or floors.
- Shut off the water main.
As soon as you have determined that you have an emergency, turn off the main water valve to reduce further flooding and damage. If you do not know where the main water valve is located, take a few moments to locate it before any further damage occurs. In most homes, the main water valve is located in the basement.
- Check for other leaks.
After you have shut off the water, take a few moments to check for any other leaks in your home. Look in your basement, crawlspace, and the area around the appliance or fixture that caused the emergency. Even if you locate only minor leaks, having them attended to as soon as possible is crucial to prevent further water damage.
- Shut off the power.
If the emergency occurs near a power source, shut off the electricity to the affected area. If possible, do this before turning off the water main. This will help reduce potential shock hazards from electrified water and avoid short circuiting and fire hazards.
- Clean up as much of the water as possible.
Before professional help arrives, try cleaning up as much of the water as possible to minimize further damage. Soak up any excess water with towels or a wet/dry vacuum, and move any rugs or furniture out of the way to reduce the risk of them becoming waterlogged.
These five tips can help you get through a night-time plumbing emergency with as little damage and disruption to your home. Remember, if you find yourself in the middle of an emergency, contact a Lakeland plumbing company right away to have them come out and take care of the issue. With their help, you can get your plumbing back to normal in no time. Don’t wait – contact the pros immediately and get your home back in order.
