If you are a homeowner, you will most likely need the services of a plumber at some point. Unfortunately, plumbing emergencies usually happen when you least expect them. Are you prepared for a plumbing emergency? If not, here are some valuable tips, along with tools to keep on hand, to help you trouble-shoot problems, act quickly and save money on costly repairs:
Plumbing Emergency Tool Kit:
- 5 gallon bucket
This can be both a convenient carrier for all your tools, and a useful device to catch water if you are in the middle of a plumbing repair and spring a leak. You’ll want to prevent water from spilling onto your floors in order to prevent water damage and mold, which can cause expensive repairs. - Multiple plungers
Having multiple plungers on hand for various plumbing issues is a good idea. Some plungers such as a flange are good for toilet clogs, while a drain plunger is good for sink, bathtub, and shower drains. - Hand tools
Having some basic hand tools around can really speed up the repair process. It's a good idea to keep the following tools on hand: adjustable wrenches, screwdriver with multiple bits, assorted allen keys, multiple pliers (slip joint, needle nose, etc.), plumber’s tape and duct tape. - Towels
Having heavy-duty paper towels or some old rags on hand can be useful when cleaning up water from small leaks.
Emergency Tips:
- Shut off the water
Every homeowner should make it a point to know where the main water valve is located, and how to turn it off. Shutting this valve off as soon as a problem occurs could help prevent major water damage issues. There are also isolation valves located by the fixtures. Shutting these off at the fixture will allow water to continue to operate throughout the rest of the house while the leak is being repaired. These should be turned off and on at least once a year to make sure they are working properly. - Assess the damage
Check around the leak and see if you can figure out what is causing it. Having thorough information to share with the plumber over the phone can help them determine the cause of the issue, and fix the problem quicker. - Contact your water company
Don’t just assume you have to call a plumber. The issue might have been caused by the local water company. If it is a problem on their end, they are likely to send out a plumber to fix the problem so you don’t have to pay out of pocket. - Contact a plumber
If the problem looks too big for a little DIY repair, it's time to call out the cavalry. Here at A#1 Air, we have highly-trained professional plumbers and we guarantee we will get the job done right! If you are experiencing plumbing issues in your home, contact our plumbing team now!
