What Should I Do in a Plumbing Emergency?

Plumbing emergencies are more commonplace than most homeowners realize, and if you own a home long enough, you’ll likely face your plumbing emergency. Learning to avoid a plumbing emergency can save time and money and help ensure repairs go smoothly. Knowing when to seek assistance can help, and with residential plumbing, it’s important to treat problems fast – to protect your home from damage. Many small improvements can be made by even a novice DIYer, but it’s important to recognize the difference between a minor problem and a major one. Whether it’s a leaky faucet, an overflowing toilet, or a burst pipe, knowing how to respond in an emergency can help save your home from ruin. Being prepared to fight these issues can help a homeowner remain in control in the face of any plumbing emergency.

Four Plumbing Emergency Tips to Protect Your Home

Plumbing problems are panic-inducing because they can create rippling damage. A leaking pipe or flooding toilet can damage your ceilings or walls and even require mold remediation. A single plumbing issue, if left uncorrected, can lead to costly damages. The best thing a homeowner can do is have a plumbing service provider standing by, ready when their time of need arises.

If you suspect a plumbing emergency, there are steps you can take to minimize the threat of compounded damages:

• Turn off the Water Supply: If your plumbing emergency involves water gushing into your home, turning off your water supply can stop the flow of water into your home. If the water is coming from multiple fixtures or a larger appliance, you may need to turn off the water at the main valve.
• Inspect and Disable Your Water Heater: If you have a traditional water heater, then you know it can be a frequent source of problems. Your water heater is a storage tank filled with water waiting to be routed around your home unless there’s a leak. Disabling a leaking water heater can stop the water flow immediately until repairs can be made.
• Inspect Drains and Faucets: When you turn off your fixtures, water lingers behind in your pipes and drains. Spigots outside your home will need to be drained if you have a plumbing emergency, like a burst frozen pipe. In addition to outdoor fixtures, you also want to disconnect your garden hose, so it doesn’t cause secondary damage to your plumbing system.
• Call an Emergency Plumbing Specialist: Owning and caring for a home is a steep learning curve for most homeowners. While there are many things you can tackle alone, there are others that require the assistance of a plumbing professional. Calling in a professional in an emergency means less threat to your home and property.

At Mallick Plumbing & Heating, Inc., our plumbing professionals have been providing the community with reliable plumbing emergency support for more than 25 years. An untreated plumbing problem can mean unsafe living conditions and serious property damage. Our expert plumbers know how to tackle a plumbing emergency, so you don’t have to worry about it. Reach out to our scheduling team today by calling (301) 804-6759. You can also contact our plumbers online by using our convenient contact form.