Steps To Take In Case Of A Plumbing Emergency

Are you prepared for a plumbing emergency?

There are many different ways water enters and leaves your home throughout the day. In the case of a plumbing emergency, understanding the steps you need to take can go a long way in protecting all your property and getting the situation resolved as quickly as possible. Here are some steps you should take in case of a plumbing emergency.

The first step you should take in a plumbing emergency is to identify where the water is coming from. You could have a broken fixture like a faucet or showerhead. If the water is not coming from a fixture, it could come from a line within an appliance like a washing machine, refrigerator or hot water heater. The most important thing is to first identify where the source of the emergency is.

Once you have identified where the water is coming from you need to try and shut the water off at the source. If it is the washing machine, the kitchen sink, the bathroom sinks or the hot water heater, there should be a turn off a valve in the pipe directly before those appliances that you can turn the water off from. Follow the water line back and you should see a turn off the valve. Turn the water off and you should stop the flow of the water.

If you could not locate the shut-off valve, you need to go outside your home and look for the main water shut off. This is where all the water enters your home and is usually outside the home or in the garage. Many times it is near the water meter. You should be able to turn off the water pressure from this valve. Once it is shut off the water will no longer flow into your home.

If you can not locate or shut off the main shutoff, you need to call a plumber or the water company. They can access the main shutoff outside your home and stop the flow of all water. A plumber can also locate your home’s main water shut off and properly turn it off. Once the water has stopped, a plumber can help identify the broken fixture or pipe, and assist in making a repair. If you’re dealing with a plumbing emergency in the Birmingham area, call Latta Plumbing now at 205-631-6445 and we’ll help you fix the problem.