As the boy scouts say, be prepared! This advice is very good when it comes to your home plumbing. Plumbing emergencies can occur suddenly and at unexpected times. A pipe may burst, a drain may become blocked, or storm rains could wash through the sewers and into your home. Flooding can quickly cause extensive damage to your home. However, quick action can help you to minimise any damage until an emergency plumber can help you to deal with the problem. Below is a guide to 3 things you should keep in mind, so you are properly prepared for any plumbing problems.
Elevate your tools
If your home is flooded by a plumbing problem, the waters will run towards the lowest part of your property. If you keep your toolbox in the basement or on a low shelf on the ground floor, you may struggle to reach them during a plumbing emergency. Emergency insulation tape may also be damaged and lose its adhesiveness when exposed to water. You should place your tools on a high shelf which is will be easy to reach during an emergency situation.
Memorise the location of the valves and circuit breakers
During an emergency, your first priority is to keep yourself and your family safe. You should check and memorise the location of the mains water stopcock. This is normally located beneath the kitchen sink or in the basement of most properties. If you are unsure of its location, you should call your landlord or ask a plumber to visit your property to check the system so they can explain it to you. As well as turning off the water supply, you will also want to cut the power supply to your home in order to prevent accidental electrocution. You should locate the circuit breakers in your home so you can quickly cut it off the power in the event of an emergency.
Make a list of contact details for emergency plumbers
During a flood, you do not want to waste time searching for the contact details of an emergency plumber. You should look up the phone number of several emergency plumbers in the local area and write them down. Keep these contact details in a safe place so they can be quickly located in the event of a plumbing disaster.
If you would like further information, you should contact an emergency plumber for further help and advice.