EMERGENCY
Services

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.

• Clogs you can't unstick
• Leaks you can't find or breaks in pipes
• Water heater making noises or leaking
  
  

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, you want to minimize damage.

Start by turning off the shut-off valve. For a toilet or sink, use the valve nearby. For plumbing without a valve on the appliance, run to the external valve to stop all water flow into the house.

Next, turn on any faucet that you know is not clogged. This releases the remaining water in the pipes.

If you detect a gas leak in a water heater, open up any windows or doors to the outside and shut off the gas main. Don't block doorways or windows with towels, this can cause a build-up 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

Time is of the essence. Shoring up the home is the first step but making a call for an emergency 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.