Coming home to a leak or a plumbing system accident can be exhausting. Other times, mistakes happen in the kitchen while making your meal. The next step is to call a plumber to help salvage the situation. However, while you wait, you can take steps to reduce the leak and its effect. These steps will also reduce the repair cost.
Are you waiting for your plumber to fix a leak? Here are steps to take while waiting to improve the situation of things.
Turn off the power source
Shutting off the electricity supply is essential when dealing with plumbing issues. Water contact with electrical cables can damage a lot of home appliances. It is also not safe to get wet in these conditions. Hence it is vital to switch off the home primary source.
Turn off the water supply
The next step is to turn off the water source to reduce the leak as much as possible. Depending on the location and extent of the leak, you should turn off the main water supply to the house. Sometimes the leak is localized and from just one part of the house. You can turn off the water supply to only this part. This step helps to stop further damage while you work at removing the excess water.
Drain the excesses
This next step is only necessary for specific situations. It depends on the level of leaks and the type of plumbing in that area. It would help if you drained the pipes to remove water from them. To do this, turn on the faucets or the outlet pipes to drain the water. This step is necessary for leaks within a wall.
Clean spilled water
If the leakage is in an open space, it is necessary to clear off the water. Houses with floorings such as wood or drywalls require immediate attention. Hence, it is best to clean it off. Use a mop and bucket or towels to clean the water. Ensure proper ventilation across the room to aid quick dry-off.
Check Appliances
The next step is to check major appliances connected directly to the house plumbing system. These include washers, dryers, and refrigerators. If there is excess water within the system of these appliances, it is best to drain and clean them. It would help if you also had professionals inspect them before reconnecting to a power source.
Document the problem
If, after the various steps, the plumber is yet to arrive, then documenting the leak is the last step. Write down your observation of when the leak started or when you first saw the problem. Document the steps you took to stop the leak. These notes will help the plumber quickly address or assess the problem.
Call Elite Plumbing & Heating
Home incidents involving water leaks require immediate attention. Taking active steps to stop the leak will significantly reduce the repair cost and save the appliances. However, it is essential to have a reliable plumbing contractor in emergencies. If you need the emergency services of professional plumbers, consider Elite Plumbing & Heating, an expert in this field.
