With a bustling family and daily reliance on your household's plumbing fixtures, nearly every Oneida area homeowner will experience a plumbing emergency at some point — from a clogged and overflowing toilet to leaky appliances to burst plumbing. Knowing how to handle a plumbing emergency will help you to understand the cause and allow you to confidently manage any type of disaster that occurs.
By being proactive when you come across a plumbing emergency, you can better protect your home, reduce property damage, and schedule prompt and effective repairs.
Common Plumbing Disasters
Can you imagine coming home at the end of a long day and not having access to clean running and hot water or functioning toilets? With regular daily use, it's common for local homeowners to experience plumbing issues that can cause massive damages and inconveniences. Some plumbing disasters may seem minor, while others can cause significant harm — no matter what type of plumbing issue you're experiencing, know that any plumbing damage or malfunction is an emergency and should be addressed by a professional repair technician as soon as possible.
The most common plumbing disasters are:
- Frozen or burst plumbing
- Leaking pipes
- Water heater leaks
- Clogged drains
- Backed up toilets and waste odors
How to Manage a Plumbing Emergency
When water is spilling all over the floor, soaking your walls and decor, it can be easy to panic. But the best solution for minimizing damage is to remain calm and remember to reach out to a trained emergency plumbing technician.
If you're in the midst of a plumbing emergency, keep these tips in mind:
- Turn Off the Water Supply: When water is spraying everywhere, the best initial solution is to locate the nearest water source and shut it off. If your toilet is overflowing, locate the valve at the base of your toilet. For leaking pipes or appliances, turn off the main water valve.
- Inspect Your Water Heater: If you're dealing with a major plumbing emergency, it never hurts to try turning off your water heater to avoid damaging the machine. When the water heater is under additional stress, the pressure could build inside the unit, leading to bursting or overheating.
- Plug Any Leaks: For small faucet or pipe leaks, try to plug the dripping by wrapping the fixture in towels, taping the area with plumber's tape, and keeping a container beneath the leak to catch any water and prevent damage to nearby property.
- Open Drains and Spigots: After you've turned off the main water valve, water may still be lingering in your pipes. To remove this excess water and avoid additional damage, turn on spigots outside of your home to drain the water. For clogged drains, try to gently remove the clog using a plunger and gentle cleaners like vinegar and baking soda.
- Call a Plumber: While it's tempting to try performing repairs yourself, when there's a common plumbing disaster, always reach out to a plumber. Calmly explain what your plumbing emergency is and ask for any guidance to reduce the damage until they can arrive and begin performing repairs.
Need Emergency Plumbing Services? Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Oneida Now
To make sure you have prompt, reliable and effective plumbing repair services, contact the skilled plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing. We happily provide plumbing emergency services for homeowners throughout the Oneida, NY, area. When you need emergency plumbing repairs, don't hesitate to reach out to the friendly, helpful experts at Mr. Rooter Plumbing. Just fill out our online estimate form to receive a free project quote or call us at 315-363-1565 to schedule an appointment.