Common plumbing disasters, such as burst pipes or a natural problem such as a hurricane or storm which leads to flooding, can be stressful. Your home may fill with water, which can cause damage to your property and your plumbing system. When flooding happens, you will want to:
- Get to safety: If a natural disaster has struck, follow instructions from authorities to get to safety.
- Shut off water and electricity: If you can do so before a serious floor or just after your pipes burst, shut off your home's main water valve. Also, shut off the electricity to the part of your home affected by flooding.
- Call a plumber: If a natural disaster has caused flooding, contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Oneida for assistance with any damage to your plumbing system and for help with removing water. A licensed plumber can help you evaluate whether the flooding may have impacted the safety of your water. In situations concerning burst pipes, you will also want to contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing to identify the pipes and to safeguard against the same situation in the future.
Next Steps
Once you know you are safe, there are several steps you will want to take to protect your property:
- Remove the water: Use towels and blankets to absorb smaller amounts of water and buckets to carry out larger amounts. Use a wet/dry vacuum to remove as much moisture as possible.
- Dry your carpet: If you have carpet installed and it has become soaked, the padding underneath and even the floor under that can become soaked with water. Moisture can get trapped, leading to mold. It is important to dry your carpet carefully and possibly replace it to avoid any dampness.
- Invest in new pipes: You will need to invest in new pipes if your plumbing emergency was caused by burst pipes. You might also want to replace older pipes which may be a flood risk.
- Dry out your home: Remove as many items as you can from the flooded area and dry them by setting them outside, if possible. Use a commercial air mover to remove water from surfaces and a dehumidifier to remove as much moisture as possible. Keep in mind that once you have removed as much water as you can see, there may still be water trapped behind walls. Mold can start growing in just one day, so start cleaning as soon as possible.
- Turn up the thermostat: Once it is safe to use electricity, using heating can help dry your home.
- Call in professionals: If your home has been flooded over a larger area and the water may have penetrated sheetrock, floors and walls, call a disaster cleanup crew or water damage restoration professionals. These professionals can ensure water is removed safely and no mold grows in your home. Your insurance may cover some or all of the costs of these cleanup services.
If you notice water in your home, contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing to request a job estimate. Our friendly team has helped many homeowners deal with flooding and we can help you determine what you need to do next to safeguard your property and your plumbing system.