Plumbing emergencies can result in extremely expensive repairs not just to the plumbing but to floors, carpets, appliances, and furnishings. The more you know what to do when faced with a plumbing issue, the less the damages are likely to be. Whether it is a 24/7 emergency plumbing situation or a standard call there are things you can be doing to help the situation. When the call to the emergency plumber is being made you can start getting to work while the call is being made by a family member. If you have to make the call yourself, use your cell phone so that you can talk and turn off your main water valves at the same time. This is one of the most important steps you can take to minimize damage right after an emergency.

Knowing where the main shut-off valve is crucial. For many homeowners, the valve is in your basement or in the homes crawlspace. If you cannot locate it you can contact your water company to find out where it is. Some water valves require the use of tools to operate. If yours requires tools, have the correct ones available and store them so that you will know where to find them in a hurry. You also need to know where all other shut-off valves are. Besides knowing where the main shut off valve is you also want to know where any shut-offs are for your water heater, all sinks and any toilets in the house. When you do figure out where they are, you want to test them to make sure they work. If they dont, have a plumber adjust them so that they do. It is worth it to have them operational ahead of a possible plumbing emergency.

It is important to know how to prevent severe water damage. After a flood occurs due to burst pipes, overflowing toilets or non-stop faucets, you want to gather as many towels as possible. Mop up as much water as you can after the valves have been shut off. Move any furniture as far away from the flood area as well. Turn fans on in the direction of where the greatest moisture remains and open windows if it is convenient to do so. Taking these measures until the plumber arrives is essential. You will lessen the damages you incur to your personal belongings or your floors following a plumbing problem.

You can work to prevent clogs of all kinds by being mindful of letting things go down the drain. Use sink and tub drain strainers. Also, keep your drains clean by using a blend of vinegar and baking soda regularly. Pour steaming hot water over the blend and the drain will thoroughly clean the drain without the use of harsh chemicals. If clogs do happen, make use of a plunger to clear away the clog. If that does not work or you have a drain that is stopped up, then you can try a commercially available drain cleaner. For very severe clogs, call a plumber as soon as you notice things worsening or the clog could become worse and cause the sink or tub to overflow and cause a serious emergency.

After you have called the plumber and turned off the water valves, you can wrap towels or washcloths around pipes and joints under sinks or toilets. Keep plumbers tape around as it is very useful in helping to curtail leaks temporarily until your plumber gets there. These tips will help you handle an urgent plumbing situation in such a way that you will suffer much less damage to the plumbing and to your home. When you call the plumber in an emergency ask for any additional things you should do to keep damage to a minimum.