You can't know when, or where, a plumbing emergency will strike. You also don't want to go through a night of emergency calls and lost sleep for something simple.
Let's start with defining when you need an emergency plumber.
Each of these issues can cause cascading damage so are best dealt with quickly.
Act Defensively
As soon as you determine that you have an emergency on your hands, your first thought should be to minimize damage.
Start by switching off the shut-off valve. For a toilet or sink, utilize the valve nearby. For plumbing without a shutoff on the home appliance, go to the outside valve to stop all water flow.
Next, turn on any faucet that you know is not clogged. This releases the water that may be pressurizing the pipes.
If you spot a gas leak in a water heater, open up any home windows or doors and also shut down the gas main. Do not block doorways or home windows with towels, this can create an accumulation of gas to dangerous levels.
Act Quickly
With the damage source stopped, you can begin prevention. The following are what you want to do until a plumber comes.
Start mopping up or using towels to collect water already on the floor. The sooner you get the water off the floors and carpets, the better. Water damage doesn't take long to set it in. Remember the three categories of water and wear protective gear when dealing with gray and black water.
Lock up any pets and keep children out of the area. This protects them from harm, gives the plumber room to work, and keeps little feet from spreading water around.
Make the Call to your Princeton 1-800-Plumber +Air
Time is of the essence. Shoring up the home is the first step but making the call to your plumber is next in line. If possible, make the call while shutting off valves.
Post a list of these steps where you can get to them. It's easy to forget what to do when a plumbing emergency arises, so a reference is a good way to stay focused.
Overall you want to keep calm and stay in control of the situation until your Princeton plumber arrives.
