How to Deal With a Plumbing Emergency

It is important to know what to do in a plumbing emergency at home. Depending on the situation, there are a few things you can do while you are waiting for your plumber to arrive. This will ensure your safety, and stop the situation from becoming worse in the meantime.

Even when regular maintenance is carried out on the plumbing in your home, disaster can still strike. Knowing what to do in an emergency situation will stand you in good stead when things do go wrong. Leaks frequently cause expensive damage throughout the home, so you need to be able to stop the water flowing as soon as possible. The following tips will help you to deal with the immediate problem, before you call out an urgent plumber.

Locate the Shutoff Valve: Blocked Drain Melbourne

Valves for particular fixtures such as sinks or toilets can be found underneath the fixture. Water heaters usually have valves located directly behind the appliance. To turn off a valve, rotate it in a clockwise direction. If there is no shutoff valve, or it is broken, shut off the main water supply valve.

If there is a leak coming from one of the supply pipes, you will need to turn off the supply. Sometimes valves become rusted and are difficult to turn, or parts break off. If this is the case, try using an adjustable spanner.

Leaks

If you suspect that a pipe is loose, turn off the main water supply immediately. This will prevent costly internal damage from flooding. While you are waiting for your emergency plumber to arrive, shut off your hot water heater. The gas supply to the water heater also needs to be turned off. This will prevent anyone from being harmed, if they accidently turn on a hot water tap in the meantime. It will also stop damage to your hot water heater occurring in the process. The last thing you want is a bill for a new hot water heater, or further repairs.

Temporary Repairs

You may wish to make some temporary repairs yourself, while waiting for the professionals to arrive. Stop the leak from causing further disruption, and collect the water in a bucket. Your plumber can replace the faulty pipe or resolder the broken joint later.

Dishwashers and Washing Machines

Very often, dishwashers and washing machines leak due to the trap being partially closed off. In many cases like this, the cause is a blocked drain. The water from the appliance has nowhere to go, so it floods. Check that the trap is open fully on these appliances, to ensure they will not cause a flood in future.

Blocked Drains

The Melbourne area has great emergency plumbing coverage, and visits are fast and efficient. If you have a blocked drain in Melbourne, you need a speedy solution. Fortunately there are many qualified plumbers in Melbourne, providing services at all hours of the day and night.

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