How To Prepare For A Plumbing Emergency with Emergency Plumber Tips | San Antonio, TX
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Preparing for an emergency plumbing situation might seem impossible. After all, plumbing calamities tend to occur at the most inconvenient times and depending on the extent of the emergency, there might be multiple steps to take seemingly all at once.
However, it is not only possible to prepare for emergency plumbing issues in advance, but it is advisable to do so. Preparing for a plumbing emergency follows the same process as preparing for other potential problems where home improvement is concerned. While it may be tempting to deal with emergency situations on your own, it is best to avoid doing so as you might make the issue worse – and most costly in terms of repair.
With a little bit of pre-planning and organization, it is possible to put in place a plan that will help you to effectively navigate emergency plumbing issues. Planning ahead may also help to preserve your plumbing system by ensuring a more rapid response from a professional plumbing expert.
Consult With an Emergency Plumber in Advance
No, you never quite know when a plumbing emergency will arise. However, no home system is meant to last forever. So, what you do know is that at some point, you will require the services of a professional plumbing company. Start now by consulting with a professional company that offers 24-hour plumbing service.
When choosing an emergency plumber, opt for a company with experience and a reputation for excellent customer service. During the initial consultation, ask about recommendations for dealing with plumbing emergencies, company policies on dispatching a plumber during an emergency situation and tips for a plan to maintain and preserve your system until a plumber arrives.
Ask for an initial assessment, so that the plumber can assess the existing condition of your home’s plumbing system. The plumber will make notes about your home in your customer profile, so that any plumber responding to an emergency at your home will have knowledge of your system as well as any existing issues.
This is also an ideal time to ask emergency plumber questions, so that you have at least a limited understanding of your home’s plumbing system and how to respond to an emergency effectively until professional help arrives.
Locate Your Home’s Shut-Off Valve
There are two ways to shut off the water during a plumbing emergency. If the issue is localized to one area or appliance, start by shutting off the water there. This is something you can locate yourself or ask the plumber to show you during the initial consultation.
For instance, the kitchen sink should have a water shut-off valve as should the toilet in your bathroom. If the plumbing emergency is happening somewhere that you can shut off the water safely, then find it ahead of time.
During your initial consultation, ask the emergency plumber to show you where the water shut-off point is to your entire home, if you don’t already know. This will mitigate further water damage while you await the arrival of the plumber, San Antonio, TX to get to your home.
Ensure Emergency Plumber Contact Info is Accessible
Once you have decided on a plumbing company to handle your emergency plumbing needs, make sure the contact information is easily accessible. Plumbing emergencies can sometimes get very overwhelming quickly. If you have the company’s number tucked away somewhere, you might not remember where it is when the time comes to make the call.
Program the company’s phone number into your cell phone and write it down on a refrigerator pad or keep a card in your kitchen drawer. This will also ensure that others in your home can contact the company as needed if a plumbing emergency arises if you are not home.
Prepare a Water Leak Response Kit
In the event of a plumbing emergency, it might take an emergency plumber some time to get to you, especially if the emergency in question happens during odd hours. If you cannot shut off the water valve to your home or a considerable amount of water has already leaked by the time you do, prepare a kit to respond quickly. This includes old towels that can be used to sop up the water and a mop/bucket to clean the area.
If you have not already, invest in a shop-vac. This will allow you to quickly suck up water and remove it from the flooded area.
However, safety is paramount. Be sure that you can access the area safely and that any electronic equipment has been unplugged before you begin water mitigation. If the damage is extensive, then it might be best to wait for the plumber who might recommend water removal/restoration services.
Educate Yourself on Plumbing Dangers
During the initial consultation with an emergency plumber, San Antonio, TX, discuss emergency situations and how to recognize dangers. It may not always be safe to venture into the area where the plumbing emergency has occurred. This is something that an emergency plumber will discuss during the initial consultation.
For instance, if the emergency is related to sewage in any way, then you should avoid touching the water as it may be full of harmful bacteria. You should also take care to avoid any water that seems discolored or odorous, as this may also indicate contamination.
Most often, plumbers will caution you against attempting to clean up the water unless it is very obvious where the source of the leak is and you are sure that the water in question is safe. Otherwise, err on the side of caution and wait for an emergency plumber to arrive.
To schedule a consultation or learn more about emergency plumbing services, call the experts at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain in San Antonio or visit our website today!
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